SugarSync Review and Three SugarSync 30 GB Annual Subscriptions Giveaway!
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SugarSync is a complete, and a really perfect online backup and file syncing solution for your data. In this post, I’ll be writing my review and thoughts on the application, how it works and why it’s better than some other online file syncing tools available out there.
I’ve got three 30-GB SugarSync annual subscriptions (each has a retail value of $49.99) to give away. You’ll find details on how you can grab one for yourself at the end of this post.
What is SugarSync?
SugarSync is an application that synchronizes files and data across your devices - desktop or laptop computers and even mobile phones.
How Does SugarSync Work?
First, sign up for Sugar Sync and then download and install the SugarSync manager (available for Windows, Mac and your mobile). Installation is straight forward, and happens without any hassles.
When you run the application for the first time, you’ll need to login to your SugarSync account using the ID that you created during when signing up.
Once that is done, give a name to your current machine whose files need to be synced across other devices.
Then, choose the folders that need to constantly monitored for changes and then synced - you can choose the predefined My Documents, Pictures or Music folders or point to more additional locations using the Add button in this window:
If you’ll need access to your data from your mobile phone, you can configure that too from the next window.
You should see the SugarSync Manager window popping up now. As you can see in the screenshot below, the manager lists the folders that have been selected for syncing - and instantly starts uploading stuff to the SugarSync servers.
You make a change to your file on your PC and then save it - the file is updated instantly across devices - your laptops and other machines - if they’re currently online and have SugarSync installed.
Nothing explains things better than the official SugarSync screencast. (This is a must-watch video!)
SugarSync also creates a pre-configured folder called Magic Briefcase in your My Documents folder. If you happen to save something inside that folder, it is immediately synced between all your devices.
You can also configure your folders to be archived on the web (Web Archive). The folders that you want to be archived are copied only once online and edits to the file are not synced. Use this when you’re editing a file, but also want to preserve an earlier version of the same file online.
You can browse through your synced photos in photo gallery mode. Get SugarSync installed in your mobile device, take some snaps and they’re automatically synced and can be viewed in photo gallery mode.
You can also access the synced files from your web browser by pointing to your-name.sugarsync.com (your-name refers to the name that you allotted during sign-up).
Concluding Thoughts
SugarSync is an absolutely awesome service - it doesn’t have any niggles at all. I tried it and I loved it. Only thing is that people want file
SugarSync syncs any folder that you’ve told it to sync. Dropbox, another file backup service that I’ve tried previously, requires you to put your files in a specific location for them to be synced online.
However, I should also mention that SugarSync does not come free of cost - you can try a 10 GB plan for free up to 45 days, after which you can pay to choose from 5 different plans according to your needs. Check the rates and features here. You can sign up for SugarSync from here.
Free SugarSync Subscriptions Giveaway
The guys at SugarSync have offered THREE 30 GB annual subscriptions to giveaway to KTT readers. Each will cost you $49.99, but you can win them for free here!
Here’s how: First, sign up for a free 45-day trial of a 10 GB SugarSync account (NO credit card required). This is an absolute must. Then, come back and tell us in the comments section below why YOU need a $49.99 worth SugarSync subscription and how you’ll use it. In the comments form, make sure that you leave the email that you have associated with your SugarSync account.
The three most compelling answers will be chosen by me, and the winners will be announced in about a week from now. Just subscribe to the blog for updates.
Here’s why I’d like a copy -
I’ve tried every single possible syncing service to sync my Mac and Windows Mobile Smartphone. The only one that half-way works is ” The Missing Sync” - which is too expensive. SyncMate I’ve installed at least half a dozen times and still have yet to get it to work. I would LOVE to be able to stop booting into XP via Parallels and then connecting my SmartPhone every time I want to get pictures/screenshots from my phone to my Mac (emailing them from the phone is just as much of a hassle, esp. when there are 20+ pictures).
Another reason why I think I should win is that I’m the first person to comment, which shows what an avid reader I am
Ross
ps. here’s another reason I should win - your 125×125 banner for SugarSync returns: Error 400: bad site code when you click on it.
Awesome giveaway, Shankar. More than the price of the subscription ($50), it is the utility of Sugarsync that attracts me to it.
I’d read about Sugarsync elsewhere, but didn’t look at it since it is a paid service.
I’d like to win Sugarsync because:
- From your review, it looks very promising and usable (though I’m a freebie lover and I wouldn’t shell out $50 for it).
- I work from a desktop at home, laptop when away from home (coupled with a wireless connection). I have been syncing across them with a portable hard drive (which is cumbersome to say the least), so getting a license to Sugarsync would be sweet.
- I’ve tried Dropbox, but I wasn’t really impressed by it. Not being able to sync folders of my choice was the deal-breaker (I have different folders like documents, blog posts, design work etc. to sync. To require me putting them all at the same folder would make a mess of stuff). Sugarsync looks more intuitive.
Just a quick clarification - you MUST sign up for a FREE 10 GB SugarSync account (NO CREDIT CARD required) and then post your comments here.
Thanks!
With me working on my laptop and couple of different computers in my workplace and also working on my Nokia N95 Smartphone, I would definetly would want a good sync software esp when they allow syncing with mobile phones.
And also 30GB online space sounds too tempting with a low price of 2.49$ after first year.
Only thing that may compete with this is the new Microsoft Mesh which is not cooked fully yet. So I cannot fully comment on that and also they are not offering high amount of online space.
More thoughts on this after I use it couple of days.
[...] three SugarSync Annual Subscriptions are up for grabs. All you have to do is to visit the link here and write a catchy comment on why you need a $49.99 worth SugarSync subscription and how you’ll [...]
btw, I signed up for the free account and have been playing w/ it all day.
[...] Shankar and Nirmal are giving away 3 SugarSync accounts each on there blog. Participate in the contest if you haven’t. [...]
I’d love to have a SugarSync account for the following reasons
- I’d die if all the data i have on my laptop and deskop jus vanish one day..
- I currently take backups on DVDs but i’m always afraid that they’ll get currupted..
- I’m also on the lookout for a suitable online backup service and Sugarsync seems to be a good bet!
I would like a sugar sync account bcoz
1-> It will help me keep my important data safe. You just can’t trust HD these days
2-> As i am a programmer, it can use it share my work with fellow friends/programmers . The collaboration will be better using this
[...] would give SugarSync a review here, but Shankar over at KillerTechTips has already done it. SugarSync is almost hard to describe, it does so many different things. Here’s a rundown [...]
The web is aplenty with choices when it comes to online storage / backup. (besides I moved to a new host with tons of storage space and data transfer - I might as well FTP my files there.)
But what really compelled me to try SugarSync was Shankar Ganesh himself told me that the app makes all the difference. I choose to trust him and boy was he right! Backing up your files is a breeze! + you can sync stuff across computers!
Being a designer, I find this REALLY useful - I can now think of working anywhere from my laptop and sync it with my work PC - without having to worry about using external drives or versioning. The best part - I get my design ideas at odd times - in the middle of dreams, in parks, watching movies, and some unmentionable places - so it really helps when I can whip out a design on my laptop and can tell my boss i did it at the office!
No more designer’s block! yay!
If Shankar gives me a subscription it’s going to help me do my humble bit to make the world better by design!
woow everyone wants this.I guess i cant win the contest
[...] promised, the three 30 GB Free Annual SugarSync subscriptions go to Narayanan Hariharan, Madhur Kapoor and Arun. Your SugarSync accounts will be upgraded soon [...]