Using RM11 on multiple machines

RootsMagic
21

In one of your posts I saw you say:

There has been much discussion of this issue which I will not repeat again

I am also interested in being able to use 2 machines, not simultaneously.

Are my following inquires covered in this thread?

Using Google Drive.

Using QNAP.

Thanks for continuous help!

Susie

22

Short answer:

  • Google Drive is not safe to use with your RM database unless you pause the Google Drive sync while you are using RM and resume the sync thereafter. In a two machine environment, you would also have to be careful allow the sync to finish after shutting down RM on one machine and starting up RM on the other machine. The official RM recommendation is to keep the RM database out of Google Drive and then to store the RM backup file in Google Drive. But in that case you have to remember always to backup and restore your RM database rather than opening and closing it.
  • A QNAP solution is safe to use with your RM database as long as the QNAP device is only hosting the database and as long as you always shutdown RM on one machine before starting RM on the other machine. A QNAP solution is not safe to use with your RM database if you add in the feature where the QNAP device can mirror your RM database onto your main hard disk. The mirroring implies a sync, and the sync of your RM database makes your RM database unsafe.

The use of a QNAP device does not get rid of the need for a good backup solution where you have backup files which are not on the QNAP device. For example, you might exit RM while making a backup file and while storing the backup file in Google Drive. That would be safe. But backing up an RM database that is stored on a QNAP device by using mirroring is not safe. Your RM database must not be mirrored or synced while it is in use.

1 Like
23

One thing I have learned by gleaning through this thread is to not allow ANY syncing/auto backups while using RM.

  • I am still in the early phase of stabilizing my routine.
  • I do not want to lose mental track of which local hard drive holds the latest RM. This alone has me taking molasses steps.
  • It is not only RM that I am & will continue to backup & sync. I do my whole ā€œGenealogyā€ folder. Itā€™s kinda like ā€˜I canā€™t leave home without itā€™ feeling.
  • Aside from my computersā€™ hard drives, I have Google Drive, QNAP and at least one separate external hard drive. (my backing up is probably overkill)
  • I am considering another cloud backup setup. I know QNAP has a cloud service.
  • For my routine I am most likely going to use WinMerge for comparisons.
  • I will pay close attention (for the how & where) as to ā€˜pauseā€™ any syncing while using RM.
  • I am using help from ChatGPT. Here again, molasses steps.

I sincerely appreciate this community for guidance.

24

Another option (which some will disagree with) is to keep your database on an external drive. It will always be current and just move the drive to the other computer. Donā€™t have to figure out which is the most current :slight_smile:

You can also keep Media on it too, just change the Folder Settings in RM.

Backups can be stored in the cloud or where ever you want.