Hello fellow selfhosters! I have a laptop and a tablet (both running endeavourOS), and I want a certain folder to be always in sync. I also have a very potato server.
My two options currently are Nextcloud and Syncthing. The laptop and the tablet are rarely online at the same time, so I need the server as middleman (so, no syncthing laptop <-> tablet, but laptop <-> server <-> tablet).

Which one do you recommend? The power consumption (of the client) is also very important, because both the laptop and the tablet are battery-powered

I’m also open to other options as well!

thanks in advance to everyone!

Edit: thanks to everyone for your precious help! I finally set up syncthing and it’s working flawlessly!

  • @N0x0n@lemmy.mlEnglish
    47•6 months ago

    Nextcloud and syncthing a 2 different things. While synching keeps your files synchronized between your devices, nextcloud is a cloud platforme which gives you access to your files on your server. The difference is actually very important even though a lot would argue that they are the same.

    It really depends what type of technology you want/need. I would recommended syncthing for it’s simplicity and robustness. It only does one thing but it does it very well !!

    To give you an example, I have a syncthing sever which is a middleman for my Zotero database. Laptop &lt;-> Server (syncthing) &lt;-> desktop. It’s very important to keep it in sync for the integrity of the zotero database !

    This kind of workflow wouldn’t work with nextcloud or rather will most of the time corrupt my database.

    Nextcloud works as a simple cloud platforme wich is also great (with it’s up and downs) but works only as a cloud platforme to keep your files on your server.

    • @atzanteol@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      24•6 months ago

      The zotero docs recommend against synchronizing by just copying a folder as it can lead to corruption.

      They recommend using webdav which nextcloud supports but syncthing doesn’t.

      So your workflow is definitely possible with nextcloud and is the preferred option.

      • @N0x0n@lemmy.mlEnglish
        -4•6 months ago

        Yes I’m aware of that notice :) but it has been rock solid. Because it’s not just a copy. It syncs the folder.

        This can happend if you work on both devices with Zotero at the same time (why would you do that anyway??). I already did my tests and with my server as a middelman I never had any corrupted data !

        • @atzanteol@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
          20•6 months ago

          What does this mean?

          it’s not just a copy. It syncs the folder.

          It’s remarkable to me that you recommended to somebody an option that is the exact opposite of what you know to be true.

          • @N0x0n@lemmy.mlEnglish
            0•6 months ago

            Do you think webdav somehow dumps you database? No it’s just a protocol to save your files on your webserver. It’s just a middelman.

            recommended to somebody an option that is the exact opposite of what you know to be true.

            Yeah it’s my recommendation from my personal experience. Is that wrong? I use it nearly everyday without any data corruption. Is my personal experience not valide?

            The point is, syncthing is rock solid, never had any issue being it with my zotero database or syncing files between my devices. If you’re a Nextcloud advocate or are against my personal opinion so be it :).

            Agree that we disagree !

            • @atzanteol@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
              11•6 months ago

              Do you think webdav somehow dumps you database? No it’s just a protocol to save your files on your webserver. It’s just a middelman.

              Umn. It allows the application to do its own synchronization and diff resolution. It’s why they recommend it.

              Directory synchronization is a “best effort” to copy files back and forth without considering the application’s needs. Copying database files while they’re being written can be problematic for example.

              Both Nextcloud and syncthing will synchronize a folder. And it will probably work if you aren’t making lots of changes on both systems. But there is increased risk.

              Yeah it’s my recommendation from my personal experience. Is that wrong?

              Yes - absolutely. “I’ve been lucky so far” and recommending against what the product you’re using says you should do is TERRIBLE advice.

              The point is, syncthing is rock solid, never had any issue being it with my zotero database or syncing files between my devices. If you’re a Nextcloud advocate or are against my personal opinion so be it :).

              Why are you getting defensive towards syncthing? It seems fine. It’s the wrong tool for what you’re using it for.