Sync Goolge Docs to Your Desktop With Insync
Last Updated on Tuesday, 3 January 2012 10:54 Written by Alan Thursday, 5 January 2012 07:00
If you use Google Docs, and many of you probably do, then being able to access your docs offline is a real need. WiFi is widespread, but there are still plenty of times when you are out of range. Ideally, you need a way to download and sync your Google Docs so you can have offline access from your desktop, laptop, or tablet no matter where in the world you happen to be. Not long ago we discovered SyncDocs, but now we have found Insync, so let’s see how it works as well.
Insync is best described as Dropbox for Google Docs. It regulates synchronization between your Google Docs account and a local storage folder. Insync supports two-way synchronization, allowing users to sync files either up or down. It also allows users to connect all of their Google Apps accounts to it , making it a repository for a lot of your Google data.
Insync works a bit differently from SyncDocs. First you will need to download and install the connector app, an 8.2 MB file that is compatible with 32-bit and 64-bit version of both Windows (XP, Vista, and 7) and Mac (Leopard, Snow Leopard, and Lion), with Linux “coming soon”. The setup process will ask you to click “ok” to restart Explorer, but don’t worry, that’s not a problem. Once completed, a new icon will appear in your system tray. Right-click that icon and you will get a menu of options.
Now you will need to set up Insync with your Google account. The web page should have opened on setup, but if it didn’t then right-click the icon in your system tray and choose “Link machine”. Now enter in your Insync user ID and password.
The system tray icon provides all of your interaction with Insync. You can click “Recent Activities” to see what has recently been synced up and/or down. Click “Open Insync Folder” to view all of the files that are stored locally on your computer. This folder resides within your computer’s “My Documents” folder. Inside the Insync folder, you will find all of the files that have been synced with the Insync server. If you have files you want to add to Google Docs, like Office documents, you can put them in this folder. The sync will take place instantly, just like it does in Dropbox.
Currently InSync is available by invitation only. You can sign up to receive an invitation by visiting their website. Right now it’s free to use and I assume that it will remain that way after it’s final release. While you’re waiting for your invite you can check out a video below that shows off some the features.
Windows PowerShell 3 CTP is Here
Last Updated on Monday, 26 December 2011 10:08 Written by Alan Tuesday, 27 December 2011 07:00
Microsoft have launched the Windows PowerShell 3 CTP (Community Technology Preview). If you aren’t familiar with Windows PowerShell, it’s a great framework for writing little scripts to take care of everyday tasks in Windows, meaning it can automate many of the simple things you need to do on a daily basis. Wikipedia describes it as “Windows PowerShell is Microsoft’s task automation framework, consisting of a command-line shell and associated scripting language built on top of, and integrated with the .NET Framework. PowerShell provides full access to COM and WMI, enabling administrators to perform administrative tasks on both local and remote Windows systems.” Think of the CTP as something like a pre-beta release. It’s akin to the Windows 8 Developer Preview.
In the new version of Windows PowerShell you will find new GUI interfaces, a better editor, better command discovery, and Powershell web access. There’s a lot more to all of these features, but to get the detailed information I would recommend visiting this blog post over at Microsoft TechNet, because the scope of this exceeds the normal scope of this web site.
Microsoft states that the final version of Windows PowerShell will likely be released with Windows 8, but both the CTP and final versions are and will be backwards compatible with Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. You can download Windows PowerShell 3 CTP here.
Hack Windows 7 to Display Dropbox in the Start Menu
Last Updated on Sunday, 4 December 2011 02:37 Written by Alan Monday, 19 December 2011 07:00
Dropbox has become the standard for cloud sharing and syncing in recent times. Cloud computing itself has become big business in the computer industry, with every big tech company trying to get into the business, most notably Amazon, Google, and Apple. Dropbox, however goes a step further with their service by making it easier to share files with friends, colleagues, and family. Have a file that’s too large to email? Upload it to Dropbox and send an invitation to whomever with a link to download it. Problem solved.
Dropbox already integrates itself pretty well into Windows by adding a folder to the My Documents library. What it doesn’t do (yet) is integrate into the Start menu with Documents, Pictures, Computer and the rest. Those options can be customized – for instance, I always add Network – but Dropbox is not in that customization options menu that Windows provides.
However, if you know just a bit about getting around on your computer, you can “hack” Windows to include it, and you can call it whatever your prefer – Dropbox, My Dropbox, Snoopy, whatever you prefer.
To get started, right-click the Start menu and choose Properties. Now, on the Start Menu tab click the Customize button.
Now, choose an option that you don’t expect to ever use in the real world, such as Recorded TV “Display as a link” and enable it by clicking the radio button to the left, the choose OK. This will now display this option directly in the Start menu.
Right-click Recorded TV, choose Rename and then type in whatever you would like to call your new option. In this I simply used “Dropbox”.
Now right-click again and choose Properties. On the Library tab click to highlight Recorded TV and then choose Remove. Now click Include a folder and click your Dropbox folder from the Library. Under Optimize this library for: ypu may want to change it to Documents or General Items. Now click Apply and then OK.
This will work for various other items that you may want to add to your Start menu. It’s a hack, but it works and it’s easy. If you haven’t tried it out, you can you can visit Dropbox to sign up for a free account.
