Working to understand default sync of Pictures/videos, Documents etc folders…
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What: the single sync setting “Pictures and videos” seem to enable/disable sync of folders /storage/emulated/0/{DCIM, Pictures, Movies, Music, Ringtones, Documents, Podcasts, Recordings} at least. https://doc.e.foundation/support-topics/edrive-sync-details.html lacks listing at least Recordings, and the text below table mentions about the same as table, but text say Images instead of Photos and Pictures but that was probably an earlier version, Images exist empty on server. That page really need en overhaul.
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When: synchronization is done on ACTION_SCREEN_OFF intent if the last
sync is greater than 15 min. Otherwise a sync is scheduled each 30 min. (from https://gitlab.e.foundation/e/os/eDrive) Also in sync settings we can trig sync by the the menu under three dots in upper right corner, or toggle an individual sync on-off-on. -
Long delays: Strangely it still takes some extra minutes after sync before it really do show up. Queued server side file handling, or are syncs sometimes not fully complete when they finish?
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No deletion. Files and folders can be added in cloud or phone and gets synced over. If a file is deleted in one end it is NOT deleted in the other end. I tested, and also read at https://gitlab.e.foundation/e/os/eDrive/-/merge_requests/228
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- What is the motivation behind the sudden “eDrive, file deletion behaviour must be removed.” (at that link) - and not even asking users? (i did not notice). This is very different from other sync services, so SHOULD be clearly communicated! I also wonder if this idea of not deleting items on the other side in future propagate to address book, mail, etc items? Hmmm.
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- There is actually an open bug against files not being deleted https://gitlab.e.foundation/e/backlog/-/issues/5807. If this now is the intended behaviour (seems so) the bug should be closed with that explanation.
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Change propagation: If a file is changed on phone, it gets copied over that file on server, and vice versa. - Very odd that completely change content gets propagated but not file deletions…!?
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Restricting what is synced: hidden files (starting with a dot) seem to not be synced. I guess same goes for folders. The trick to put a .nomedia file in a folder (Can I control what backs up/syncs to Murena account - #19 by aibd) i found not to work, but it do work for hiding folders images from not being shown in pictures galleries etc. I think it is good that .nomedia do not affect sync, it should be a separate setting. May i suggset to instate .nosync ? And to control deletions maybe .nosyncdelete ? … maybe settings to make sync backups etc like i.e Syncthing
But keeping extending, a config file might be better…
My plan
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Because I really must have file deletions to propagate like anything else both directions: Disable the sync item “Pictures and videos”, and instead use Nextcloud app from F-Droid, see Install and connect Nextcloud app to your /e/cloud drive to unveil its true potential - #28 by petefoth. I also want better control of what to sync. I.e one sync for the DCIM folder, one for Documents etc… I may also sync some folders to my own cloud instead of Murena. One other reason may be that Murena sync seem to be very slow sometimes. Most scary is the lack of clear documentation, and sudden change.
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The other sync items I will keep enabled: “Application settings”, and all app syncing items such as Mail, Calendar…
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Some files and folders i will use Syncthing for syncing to workstation and laptop, because it is great in configuration possibilities, and can keep staggered revision backups och change/deleted files, and can work with LAN between devices if network is unavailable. I have already been using it for years for small folders, it just works
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KDEConnect is also a wonderful computer (Linux) application to browse the phone filesystem in a file browser, connect clipboards, and other interactions
Also interesting is browsing files the clouds: Access the e-Drive from the file manager? - #6 by smu44. , https://developer.android.com/guide/topics/providers/document-provider.