Sync In : Your data belongs to you

[Benoit]

---

• Title: Sync In

---

• Main Page: https://sync-in.com/
• Git: https://github.com/Sync-in
• Licence: AGPL
• Docker: Yes
• Demo: https://sync-in.com/docs/demo

---

• Summary: Sync-in is your open source platform to sync, share, and collaborate securely.
  Manage your data, freely, privately and with no compromise.

---

• Notes:
• Open Source
• Data Sovereignty
• Secure By Design
• Scalable & Reliable
• Efficiency
• Available Anywhere
• Collaborative Spaces
• Synchronization
• Shares
• Guests & Personal Groups
• Activity Tracking
• Advanced File Manager
• Smart Search
• Real-time Collaborative Editing
• WebDAV Integration

• ---

• **Alternative to **: Nextcloud / Owncloud
• Screenshots:

[Neiluj]

It very much looks like Nextcloud.
However from what I understand: while Nextcloud is PHP based, Sync-in is TypeScript / Node.js.
Also, while v 1.1 has been made public fairly recently it seems, the development started 10 years ago according to the - currently sole - dev.

The demo is snappy for sure.

[timconsidine]

@Benoit could be a good way to get a “Seafile” equivalent on to Cloudron.
Nextcloud is so much more but many people want “so much less”, like this, just the core file sync share functionality

[timconsidine]

I have got an initial package of Sync-in for Cloudron working.
Need to do some testing/fixing and then I will make a cloudron git repo.

Much as I like Seafile, I have some nagging concerns over it, and would much prefer my files solution to be on Cloudron.

[timconsidine]

May have spoken up a little early.
Installed but some problems with database initialisation.
App author says the package release (which I was working from) is not fully ready, and docker-compose is the only recommended deployment currently.
Although I don't like building from source, prefer from a release, I am trying from source.
If it works, it can be a prototype, pending a full package release.
Stand by ...

[timconsidine]

Small update
Struggling to package this for Cloudron
Issues are MySQL complexities, and building from source is not a good approach.
I have doubts whether this will be possible, but battle continues.

It's a nice app. Installed on my other VPS using docker-compose just to see it working and understand it.

Will update if I get any progress.

[timconsidine]

Whoop, whoop, whoop
Breakthrough !

After spending X hours on packaging the release, Y hours on building from source and Z hours on alternative implementations of building from source,

• where X is too long,
• where Y is X * 2, and
• where Z is Y * 3,

... I gave up and changed approach again, and now have Sync-in packaged and installing and running on my Cloudron !

TBH, there is still a bunch of work to do, but having cracked baseline minimal function deployment, I'm hopeful (well, praying) that I can get the rest of it done.

WORKING :

• builds, installs and runs
• login and basic file storage operations working

TO-DO / TO-TEST :

• desktop client downloading and synchronisation (now)
• OnlyOffice integration
• file storage "in app" and by volume mount
• backups
• WebDAV (now )
• automated install by CCAI (Custom App Installer)

I will of course make a repo on git.cloudron.io, but want to do so when I have ironed out some things (had to be a bit naughty to get to here) and completed more of the o/s work.

I don't use Windows so will need some help testing desktop sync on that platform; when the time comes, volunteers appreciated.

(grinning like a Cheshire one)

[timconsidine]

Just an update for those watching/waiting, if anyone is

Trying to overcome OnlyOffice integration issues
Also 4 new releases in the source over 7 days, so bit of a moving target.

However I think it is a really useful and important app that will be a great addition to Cloudron, so will persevere. If for no other reason than I want it on my Cloudron, official app or custom if needs be.

[timconsidine]

Back in the land of decent connectivity
May have an initial release shortly

[timconsidine]

Eventually .... I have a custom package for Sync-in

Repo : https://git.cloudron.io/timconsidine/cloudron-sync-in

Installation : Manual clone/build/install -OR- use the custom app installer https://ccai.appx.uk (first app listed)

It was not an easy packaging exercise, but that may be down to my lack of expertise. Very happy for a more experienced packager to tidy it up. But it works.

POINTS TO NOTE

• lots of problems using the cloudron MySQL add-on, so was forced to ditch this and install MariaDB into the container. Yes, this adds some size to the image, but it's not too bad.
• ditched packaging from source or from release, and using npm installation instead (released during the packaging process)
• ensure you change admin credentials !! (in the app, no restart needed)
• but do not change admin username (breaks the admin file space) : create a new admin user
• ensure you set OnlyOffice settings in environment.yaml, then RESTART !
• READ AND ACTION THE APP CHECKLIST !!!
• during packaging and testing, I had problems with Safari in normal mode (maybe some local cache issue which I could not clear, or some Safari peculiarity), but it does work. I got more reliable performance from using Safari Private mode (incognito) or Firefox.

It's a little slow to start and pass health check, but it's not too bad.

I packaged Sync-in because I love the concept and hate Nextcloud bloat. In the process of packaging Sync-in, I deepened my understanding and came to realise how good an app it is. Definitely worthy of being on Cloudron.

The app is on v1.3.8 so ready for active use, but note that it is under active development, so expect changes.
But hey, that doesn't stop Immich being used and considered stable.

Enjoy !
Let me know any issues.

[timconsidine]

Oh, the Sync-in desktop client is excellent.
You can download from inside the running app.
Go to bottom left of screen, click the person avatar, click Applications in the panel which appears.

I don't use Windows, so this is untested, but the Mac client is excellent, so I hope/expect the Windows one to be so also. Volunteers needed to test it !

Reminder : if accessing your installation through a browser on a mobile device, set the browser to request the Desktop site (better UI performance).

[timconsidine]

Darn! Just realised I haven't tested email integration, although it is packaged. I don't use this kind of feature, but will try to test.

[Neiluj]

Hi @timconsidine - in passing, just wanted to thank you for your tenacity and willingness to get this packaged.
much appreciated.

[timconsidine]

@Neiluj thank you.
I sure hope it can be useful to others, but of course I’m scratching my own itch as well.
Looking forward to closing down Nextcloud and being independent of Seafile, which I like and use heavily, but somehow causes me some dependency concerns.

[robi]

@timconsidine the UI suggests there is a chat function just underneath the notifications bell on the right, but it doesn't look functional.

MacOS Client looks exactly like the web interface, so what's the benefit?

[timconsidine]

@robi good questions

The right panel changes a little depending on what main panel is displayed.
The 'chat' type icon is more of a comments function, allowing users to add a comment to a file for their own reference later, or to alert co-workers to some info.
It might not seem functional because a file needs to be selected in the central pane, as a comment is related to a specific file.

About the client, yes, it's very similar to the web UI. I think this is good, but can raise the question you did.
The specific features of the client over the web UI (apart from just a personal preference of a local client vs a web window amongst 50 other open web windows) are :

• synchronisation : the local client allows you to set a link (one-way or bi-directional) between a folder on the local computer and the app's server-side storage
• the local client allows you to have multiple Sync-in sites live and quickly switch between them (business vs personal ?)

[robi]

@timconsidine thanks for the screen shots, however I didn't see you open the chat icon as mentioned.

I happened to create a second user in addition to the admin and could see each in that side window. There were no actions possible from it.

Also I noticed that the client hijacked my command button away from the Brave browser I am typing this on. I use it command-<- to navigate back in the forum, and strangely it only navigated back in the sync-in client, even though it didn't have window focus! Insane.

[timconsidine]

Yes, I am agreeing there is no chat.

I'm not meeting that command button issue, but maybe I don't have the same setup.

[robi]

@timconsidine that button seems to be a list of tasks, instead of a chat.

Relaunching the app still steals my command button, so off it goes ;-/

[p44]

@Neiluj @timconsidine