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Why is the Live Desktop required to share a folder? RRS feed

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    As I have been experimenting with Live Mesh, and really liking the direction that it is going, I have been performing a series of tests using shared folders between my devices, and between me and some friends.

    One thing that I have noticed is that there is currently NO WAY to create a folder on my laptop and synchronize it to my other devices, WITHOUT having it shared to the Live Desktop.  I wanted to know why this is?

    There is no technological reason for this ... unless the underlying architecture is flawed.

    I have tried a variety of ways to create the folder on my desktop, and then sync it to my other desktop machines ... that all works.  But then it also appears on the Live Desktop.  When I then go to the Live Desktop and delete the folder I am warned this will break all synchronization ... and when I say OK, then sure enough the folders on my devices still exist ... but do not sync.

    I'd really like to understand the marketing reason behind this, and/or the thinking behind forcing this limitation.  Is it a limitation that is going to be lifted after the Tech Preview?

    I'd really like to understand this ...
    • Changed type Ben [Live Mesh] Monday, May 5, 2008 6:44 PM Edit as Answered
    Saturday, May 3, 2008 6:01 PM

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    Hi Humancell,

    As Jamie and Steve have suggested, the ability to sync folders P2P without going to the cloud is coming - though I'm unable to provide a timeline at this point. :)  If I understand you correctly, that's the option that you're looking (and hoping) for.

    Thanks for participating on the forums.

    Ben.
    Monday, May 5, 2008 6:43 PM

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    Humancell said:

    As I have been experimenting with Live Mesh, and really liking the direction that it is going, I have been performing a series of tests using shared folders between my devices, and between me and some friends.

    One thing that I have noticed is that there is currently NO WAY to create a folder on my laptop and synchronize it to my other devices, WITHOUT having it shared to the Live Desktop.  I wanted to know why this is?

    There is no technological reason for this ... unless the underlying architecture is flawed.

    I have tried a variety of ways to create the folder on my desktop, and then sync it to my other desktop machines ... that all works.  But then it also appears on the Live Desktop.  When I then go to the Live Desktop and delete the folder I am warned this will break all synchronization ... and when I say OK, then sure enough the folders on my devices still exist ... but do not sync.

    I'd really like to understand the marketing reason behind this, and/or the thinking behind forcing this limitation.  Is it a limitation that is going to be lifted after the Tech Preview?

    I'd really like to understand this ...



    This has been asked many times here.  Currently, it just how it works.  The idea is that you have access to those file from any browser also.  It is also a way for other devices to get the files if your first host is down.  Wondering why this is a problem for you?  That said, they have said they may change that behavior or supply options.  It is still a preview.
    Saturday, May 3, 2008 7:03 PM
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    I get that it could be a valuable feature ... when I want it.  But there could be many cases that I never want it, and want my data to only be synchronized on devices within my control.

    In addition, if I am sharing 200GB of data between two machines ... then I don't want it "in the cloud" on their servers ...  since I don't get that much space.

    It more the case of making this an *option* rather than a requirement.

    Also, from the presentation at Web 2.0 on the architecture, *all* information placed into the Mesh are available via feeds from *any* device in the Mesh.  So that means that I would be able to access my data through my own applications from my own servers from anywhere on the Internet ... again not requiring Live Desktop to be in the picture.

    Lastly, I ought o be able to install a copy of "Live Desktop" on my own servers and completely control my devices, and my data.  I could then hit "Live Desktop" on my own server and access all of my data.

    Again ... I'm more concerned about the marketing "lock-in" that is being forced upon customers and users.  I can see where it would be an option that many users might choose to utilize ... and that Microsoft might even charge and make additional space a revenue source.  I just know that there is corporate data and secure client information that I am not willing to share with the "cloud."
    Sunday, May 4, 2008 5:00 AM
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    Don't worry, this will be happening. if you go and look at the sync options today you'll see that "Never sync to this device" is greyed out for Live Desktop. hence, this feature is coming, they just haven't finished building it yet.
    http://jamiethomson.spaces.live.com/ | http://blogs.conchango.com/jamiethomson
    Sunday, May 4, 2008 6:55 PM
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    The Live Mesh team has stated that they will eventually have the option to share a folder without having it on the Live Desktop. However, you would still have to install the full product. Others have asked for a 'lite' version that just includes the folder sharing part. Microsoft has another beta running called FolderShare. https://www.foldershare.com/ I could see LiveMesh and FolderShare eventually becoming part of the same program, though they may use different underlying technology.

    (I'm not trying to get people to move, just see other projects that are out there that might more fit there needs. As far as I can tell, foldershare is a public beta and I'm not violating any NDA by posting the link here. If so, let me know and I will remove the link.)

    Steve
    Steve
    Monday, May 5, 2008 7:23 AM
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    Hi Humancell,

    As Jamie and Steve have suggested, the ability to sync folders P2P without going to the cloud is coming - though I'm unable to provide a timeline at this point. :)  If I understand you correctly, that's the option that you're looking (and hoping) for.

    Thanks for participating on the forums.

    Ben.
    Monday, May 5, 2008 6:43 PM