Explain in detail what it means to synchronize computers and mobile devices. Include at least two strategies for keeping your files in sync in your answer.

What will be an ideal response?

Student responses will vary, but should be drawn from the following information from the text.If you use multiple computers and mobile devices throughout the day, keeping track of common files may be difficult. For example, each morning, you may begin the day by checking your appointment calendar on your computer. That same calendar appears on your smartphone, so that you can view your schedule throughout the day. You may, however, add, change, or delete appointments using the smartphone, so when you return home you will need to update the calendar on your computer to reflect these edits. When you synchronize, or sync, computers and mobile devices, you match the files in two or more locations with each other. Along with appointments, other commonly synced files from a smartphone are photos, email messages, music, apps, contacts, calendars, and ringtones.

Syncing can be a one-way or a two-way process. With a one-way sync, also called mirroring, you add, change, or delete files in a destination location, called the target, without altering the same files in the original location, called the source. For example, you may have a large collection of music stored on your computer at home (the source), and you often copy some of these songs to your mobile device (the target). If you add or delete songs from your computer, you also will want to add or change these songs on your mobile device. If, however, you add or change the songs on your mobile device, you would not want to make these changes on your computer.

In two-way sync, any change made in one location also is made in any other sync location. For example, you and your friends may be working together to create one document reflecting your combined ideas. This document could be stored on a network or on cloud storage on the Internet. Your collaboration efforts should reflect the latest edits each person has made to the file.

You can use wired or wireless methods to sync. In a wired setup, cables connect one device to another, which allows for reliable data transfer. While wireless syncing offers convenience and automation, possible issues include battery drain and low signal strength when the devices are not close to each other.

Strategies for keeping your files in sync include the following:
• Use a cable and software. Syncing photos from a camera or a smartphone to a computer frees up memory on the mobile device and creates a backup of these files. You easily can transfer photos using a data sync cable and synchronization software. Be certain not to disconnect the mobile device from the computer until the sync is complete. You also can copy your photos and documents from the computer to a smartphone, an external hard disk, a USB flash drive, or some other portable storage device.

• Use cloud storage. Cloud storage can provide a convenient method of syncing files stored on multiple computers and accessing them from most devices with Internet access. Several cloud storage providers offer a small amount of storage space at no cost and additional storage for a nominal fee per month or per year. Each provider has specific features, but most allow users to share files with other users, preview file contents, set passwords, and control who has permission to edit the files.

• Use web apps. By using web apps for email, contacts, and calendars, your information is stored online, so that it is accessible anywhere you have an Internet connection, and can sync with multiple devices.