ClipMate Support Forum

I keep my laptop and desktop computer work-files synced by using Dropbox (http://www.getdropbox.com). It would be really helpful to me if I could sync my clipmate data the same way.

Since Clipmate can be installed as a portable app for use on a thumbdrive, is it possible to install it as a portable app on Dropbox?

What is the best way to accomplish this?

btw... love Clipmate... have used if for years.

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friendinme
http://www.mypointless.com

No idea, but probably. Have you tried it?
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Chris

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I'm the ClipMate Guy!

I installed the program on my two office computers, and pointed them to the database files that reside on dropbox. simple.

Tools|Options|Database Tab
Either Add a new one or backup/restore to a dropbox folder and point the program to those files.

It isn't important for ClipMate to be running off of dropbox, just accessing your clips.

Enjoy

Make regular backups... there's no way this is going to be good for data integrity.

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I'm the ClipMate Guy!

in my experimentation, I did find that clipmate needs to be only running in one instance... example:

You run clipmate on your desktop and share the database with your laptop. If you're on the laptop accessing the dropbox database and just using the clips, no problem. But if you want to make a change and add something, then you'll have to make sure that clipmate is shut down on the desktop.

How is using DropBox different from accessing a shared network database on a mapped drive

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Troy

troyg... Dropbox syncs files across the web, not just local networks.

So if all computers reside on a single network, then the shared database is the best solution, however I have computers in very remote locations that can not map network shares to each other.

Therefore, Dropbox works quite well for what I'm doing.

I've started using dropbox too - neat stuff.
I am thinking of creating some sort of 'dela file' that would be used to sync databases. Closing/opening the database (DBISAM) is not going to be a solution, as it would impact performance terribly.

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I'm the ClipMate Guy!

I've also found DropBox to be a great help with Clipmate, but still has bugs...I use ClipMate on my main computer all the time, but don't want to always be 'exporting' and trying to keep track of all that. Seems like ClipMate would see this DropBox app as really handy. The occasions when I do need my netbook, and I'm working on other's computers, I really need ClipMate to be updated with newest entries from main pc.

I back up manually periodically to Dropbox, and can access it naturally with my netbook, which is where my 2nd install of ClipMate is. But when I do update ClipMate's database on netbook, it often puts duplications of clip collections: two 'inboxes', two 'virtuals' etc. I'm still working on it, and I feel as we move off our desktops and into the cloud, it would be nice to find a way to make ClipMate more seamless in this area...

I just wanted to add that I too would love to see a way to use Dropbox for multiple machines to share clip data. My idea, which didn't work (though I'm not sure why), was to set it up this way:

Machine A has its primary database set to a shared folder and multi-user

Machine B has its primary database to to a different shared folder and set as multi-user

Then I add Machine B's db to Machine A, set to read-only (and vice-versa).

I thought that the multi-user and read-only states would allow for this, but I ended up with significant problems...

It does seem that way, but it would be a HUGE help if I could easily have access to clipboard data from my main work machine available when I am on my laptop!

I also would LOVE to be able to have one master database in Dropbox and then access it from work and home. Then I could have virtual folders for "stuff from home" and "stuff from work." I guess it could be problematic if both computers were being used at the same time, but I never have both going at the same time, so it wouldn't be an issue for me.

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Kunkel321 (Steve)

Right now it seems that the only way that could work would be if you never used both computers at once and you were careful to start and then quit Clipmate with each work session. Then, theoretically, it could work.

I also tried it when I first got ClipMate. Also I get an error message. I suspect that if a person knew how to write VBScripts or AutoHotKey scripts, then you could have a script to "Backup Database, then shut down computer" and another script in your start up folder to "Import from" the same database. I expect if you did this each time with each computer, then CM would be happy. (assuming you never use both at the same time)

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Kunkel321 (Steve)

I'll offer another vote for this. I use DB all the time, as do I use ClipMate all the time.

Here's another vote for Dropbox/ClipMate interaction. I have several remote computers and Dropbox is a must for me. I'm done carrying a thumb drive or memory card around with me - too much confusion. However, at the same time, I don't want to give up ClipMate.

Chris, PLEASE find a way. Many thanks.

I've been looking for a way to sync up my Clipmate too...
I use Dropbox on my iPhone and every PC I own...
Several of my large customers are using Dropbox to share files with me...
Many iPhone Apps are directly integrated to Dropbox...
I'm up to 6.25 GB of free storage on DBox thx to the 16 referals that signed up using my DBox invite...

I'd be willing to pay for a one time DBox integration fee too:!:

In the mean time, I'm exporting select clips to a Dropbox folder which allows me to easily share designated clips between my various PCs and hand held devices using DBox functionality.

Next best thing...

Still not perfect, but at least no error messages.
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I downloaded the portable version of ClipMate (not the U3 one, but the .paf one) and put the installer in C\...Dropbox\ClipMate, then ran the installer.
It created C\...Dropbox\ClipMate\ClipmatePortable and put itself there.

I've not had any problems with error messages so far, but I HAVE been careful to close one computer before opening the other. Also, I find that CM tends to load before Dropbox is done syncing. So I have to manually start CM... AFTER Dropbox does its thing.

Has anyone had luck with getting other setups to work (such as a non-portable install that has "Multi-User" database prefs checked) ??

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Kunkel321 (Steve)

-eh.
Looks like you might be right. It appears Chris's most resent forum activity is a single post from about 6 months ago...

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Kunkel321 (Steve)