Second the use of high speed SSD or SD Card, at night just make sure it backs up to the cloud just in case you lose it.
Ask HN: How do you manage large files across multiple laptops/desktops?
11–20 of 22 posts
Re: Ask HN: How do you manage large files across multiple laptops/desktops?
#12Use rsync to make one folder structure match another by copying only the changed parts of files. You can sync many gigabytes VERY quickly this way.
You'll want to have an external USB3.0 drive to get from one machine to another IMO, because you would have wanted it backed up ANYWAY right? ...so there's no need to try to copy directly from one machine to another machine, without using the USB drive.
Here's an example command:
sudo rsync -aAXv --delete --force "/home/clay/ferguson/" "/media/clay/BAK/ferguson"
Re: Ask HN: How do you manage large files across multiple laptops/desktops?
#13If just a 2 terabyte cloud service faster than Dropbox would be enough, pCloud is nice.
Re: Ask HN: How do you manage large files across multiple laptops/desktops?
#14Have you looked into Nextcloud? If you primarily do it at home, the speeds of Nextxloud are typically limited by the network bandwidth, and the storage is limited by what server you have. I use it and manage 5 TB of data on it without problems.
I am using Nextcloud for precisely thw usecase OP outlined and I am quite pleased with it I must say.
Re: Ask HN: How do you manage large files across multiple laptops/desktops?
#15If they’re reliably on the same network, then I’d probably use syncthing. Or, a NAS device and mount the volume across the LAN. Or rsync or syncthing to the NAS.
If you have to share files off the LAN, that gets more involved.
We currently use a mix of syncthing and NAS for our internal purposes, and iCloud for external syncing.
Re: Ask HN: How do you manage large files across multiple laptops/desktops?
#16Have you looked into Nextcloud? If you primarily do it at home, the speeds of Nextxloud are typically limited by the network bandwidth, and the storage is limited by what server you have. I use it and manage 5 TB of data on it without problems.
I am using Nextcloud for precisely thw usecase OP outlined and I am quite pleased with it I must say.
NextCloud is decent but not technically polished enough.
Web UI is not performant, not too user friendly and mobile apps aren't really that good. I do have 4 instances running but I'll welcome alternatives if I find one.
Re: Ask HN: How do you manage large files across multiple laptops/desktops?
#17Use rsync to make one folder structure match another by copying only the changed parts of files. You can sync many gigabytes VERY quickly this way. You'll want to have an external USB3.0 drive to get from one machine to another IMO, because you would have wanted it backed up ANYWAY right? ...so there's no need to try to copy directly from one machine to another machine, without using the USB drive. Here's an example…
I'd hate to recommend a command line to a designer.
Re: Ask HN: How do you manage large files across multiple laptops/desktops?
#18Earlier quoted context omitted.
I am using Nextcloud for precisely thw usecase OP outlined and I am quite pleased with it I must say.
NextCloud is decent but not technically polished enough. Web UI is not performant, not too user friendly and mobile apps aren't really that good. I do have 4 instances running but I'll welcome alternatives if I find one.
Heh, I would say the Web UI works extremely well and is very friendly, and I really like the Android App. What issues do you have with it?
Re: Ask HN: How do you manage large files across multiple laptops/desktops?
#19An external ssd via USB-C. Transfer speeds are fine. Get one that is sturdy and it will last her a lifetime. Set up weekly backups to b2 or something.
Re: Ask HN: How do you manage large files across multiple laptops/desktops?
#20Buy a large SSD like 2-8TB (just avoid the Samsung 860 QVO 4TB, it sucks more power during write than USB A standard allows) and buy a nice case like https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D2BHVBD and mount it there. Work from the external SSD, it's fast enough in my opinion. Use the cloud only for backup purposes whenever the drive is attached (I use Insync for that but this is Google Drive centric).
A Mac Mini expanded with two SSDs with syncthing is superior to sneakernet because it provides replication. And, if you really want to, add a 14 TiB HC520 placed in an external USB 3 case. Add an rsync server to get backup. Forget the cloud, most solutions are overpriced and insecure. Use TarSnap if you have absolute have to backup reasonable quantities of critical data and call it a day.
Tarsnap is overpriced and unnecessary.