Will,
Check out the information at this address:
http://blogs.msdn.com/david_rasmussen/archive/2006/06/29/650705.aspx
This tells you how to use OneNote on two or more computers and keep them in
sync without a network using the OneNote cache and a USB memory stick.
I am on a network at home and have three of my five computers running
OneNote 2007. Because I am on a network I initially used Groove to sync my
OneNote notebooks. Rainald Taesler put me onto the pitfalls of using Groove
and the advantages of using OneNote's built in Cache and synchronization
In part, this was his counsel:
"OneNote has a really fantastic synchronization built-in.
This in fact means *replication* and takes care of all changes on
each computer.
Basics:
- files are stored on only *one* computer (thereafter called
"main computer);
- the notebooks are opened on the other computer(s) "shared" from
the "main computer. OneNote works from a Cache;
- as long as the computers are connected (via WLAN or cable)
every changes made on one side appears on the other device(s);
- when the computers are disconnected, on the "client" one works
with the cache;
- once the computers are connected again, OneNote *automatically*
synchs the notebooks on all participating computers.
This way everything is in sync and one can work on the laptop at
the same time as on the desktop. And nothing gets lost.
Rainald"
I stopped using Groove with OneNote and started using OneNote's built in
cache and synchronization and have never looked back. Now, no matter which
computer I am using the files are automatically synced when I connect to my
network.
You can obtain similar advantage on your non-network setup by using a USB
memory stick. You could store your OneNote notebooks on the USB stick. Then,
with the USB stick plugged into the computer open the Notebooks you want
from the USB stick and leave them open. You can then remove the USB stick
and move it to your other computer and repeat the process. With the USB
stick unplugged from your computers and your desired notebooks open in
OneNote on your computers you will be working with the OneNote cache. Any
changes you make to the notebooks will be stored in cache. You can safely
close OneNote on either computer at this time but you need to keep the
notebooks themselves open within OneNote. The next time you plug in the USB
stick OneNote will sync the changes automatically between the computer and
the USB stick. Move the USB stick to the other computer and the process is
repeated with no user interaction. Slick.
After you have finished working with a notebook and all changes have been
synced to the USB stick you can safely close the notebook. If in doubt about
the sync status of any open notebook you need only hover your mouse over the
notebook tab and it will tell you if it is up to date or not. I think there
may also be a red dot on the tab if it is not synced but I'm not sure since
I'm on a network and the changes are synced almost instantly. There is a
green dot on each notebook tab indicating it is in sync after you plug in
the USB stick. At least that's what I'm seeing here when coonected to the
network.
Hope this helps.
Michael
