I want to use my Diving Log application on many Windows computers. One is my big desktop at home and the other is a laptop I use when traveling.
What is recommended way to configure Diving Log Documents folder and the database file names so that I can keep everything safely in sync using OneDrive?
I have OneDrive set up on all computers so that most directories sync to cloud and across all devices.
I have tried now setting up “\OneDrive\Documents\Diving Log” to contain all Diving Log Documents no all computers, but I am in doubt how safe this is?
Apparently, it is not safe to use same Logbook.mdb database file in different computers when OneDrive is syncing that file. If by accident the database file is opened in two computers at the same time, then the application will crash and the database gets corrupted.
using Diving Log Windows on multiple computers
Re: using Diving Log Windows on multiple computers
I think storing the documents folder in OneDrive should not be a problem at all. Layout, report and other files are simple text files which should not be a problem.
With the Access database, I'm actually not sure. I think it should be safe as well, because technically, OneDrive files are not accessed directly by multiple computers at the same time like on a network drive. They are stored locally on a PC and synced by the OneDrive app. But I have no insight how the OneDrive app works and syncs. As far as I know it won't sync the file as long as it is opened in another app. Otherwise it would cause problems with all kind of file types, e.g. when an image is opened in a photo editor. But I agree, databases are complicated and Access is not really a multi user database.
I think some users actually store the database directly in a cloud drive and I never had a single unrecoverable database in all these years. Sometimes there are problems, but they can be fixed with the "Compress and repair" function in Access.
I'm using an Access database in a network folder accessed from multiple computers since several years without any problems. A cloud folder should be less problematic since it's a local folder which get's synced to the cloud. And Diving Log copies SQLite database files directly to the cloud folder during the cloud sync process from the "Web" toolbar menu.
With the Access database, I'm actually not sure. I think it should be safe as well, because technically, OneDrive files are not accessed directly by multiple computers at the same time like on a network drive. They are stored locally on a PC and synced by the OneDrive app. But I have no insight how the OneDrive app works and syncs. As far as I know it won't sync the file as long as it is opened in another app. Otherwise it would cause problems with all kind of file types, e.g. when an image is opened in a photo editor. But I agree, databases are complicated and Access is not really a multi user database.
I think some users actually store the database directly in a cloud drive and I never had a single unrecoverable database in all these years. Sometimes there are problems, but they can be fixed with the "Compress and repair" function in Access.
I'm using an Access database in a network folder accessed from multiple computers since several years without any problems. A cloud folder should be less problematic since it's a local folder which get's synced to the cloud. And Diving Log copies SQLite database files directly to the cloud folder during the cloud sync process from the "Web" toolbar menu.
Re: using Diving Log Windows on multiple computers
I keep my Diving Log files on Dropbox and access them from both my desktop and laptop computers. Mostly I download dives to my laptop and fill in the info (like dive site) when on a trip, then mostly I use my desktop at home to look at the info. I have done this for years with no problems. I would not think OneDrive would be different from Dropbox. By contrast, I've heard that Google Drive can slightly modify files, which could possibly create a problem.
I also do frequent backups using the backup tool within Diving Log, and those are also on Dropbox, so that is additional protection.
I also do frequent backups using the backup tool within Diving Log, and those are also on Dropbox, so that is additional protection.
Re: using Diving Log Windows on multiple computers
I had one user recently, who stored the MDB database directly in Google Drive, which caused a freezing problem when opening the downloader or import tool. So Google Drive seem to be problematic.
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Re: using Diving Log Windows on multiple computers
I have multiple backups of my DivingLog6 Logbook and transfer from one computer to another via a USB memory stick. This means I can really screw up several times and still have my "get out of jail free" card in the form of my dive log on the USB!!