HOW TO: Synchronise reading position between several devices running Freda

[jim_chapman]

Note that automatic synchronisation between devices is now a premium feature of Freda. If you're not seeing the sync option on Freda, you may need to pay to unlock the premium features add-on for the app. In this case, please tap the menu button (three horizontal lines) at the top left of the main application page, and choose the 'licence' item, to check licence status and acquire premium features if necessary.

1) Install Freda on as many devices as you like.
2) On each device:
  2.1) Tap the menu button (three horizontal lines) at the top left of the main application page, and choose the 'sync+archive'; on that page, tap the 'sync' button at the top. Review the label at the bottom, to check that OneDrive is signed in. If it is not, tap the 'connect to OneDrive' button, and enter any sign-in details and permissions that are asked for.
  2.2) On this same page, check that the 'automatic sync with other devices' option is set to 'yes'.
  2.3) Review the messages that appear every minute or two on this page, reporting that 'journal' files are being created and copied between devices.
3) Open a book on one device and start reading it.
4) Open the book on another device, and observe that Freda will open it at the same location as you'd got to on the first device.

Caveats:
Freda will sync reading position between two books open on different devices, if it thinks they are the same book.  The definition of 'the same book' is 'the two books have the same title and author'.

Freda maintains synchronisation by copying journal files to and from OneDrive every minute.  This uses up your data allowance and battery, so only turn synchronisation on if you need it.

Because files are copied only once a minute, there is a delay in synchronising - so the position could be a page or two out, especially if you were moving through the book quickly.

[Eva22]

Hi,

I'm having some trouble synchronising in both directions. If I get to a certain page of a book using my Android device, if I then open the book in the desktop PC app, it will be at that page. If I further progress through the book on the PC, that additional progress is lost when I reopen it on the Android. Any idea what is (or isn't) happening?

Thanks

[Eva22]

Hi,

I'm having some trouble synchronising in both directions.  If I get to a certain page of a book using my Android device, if I then open the book in the desktop PC app, it will be at that page.  If I further progress through the book on the PC, that additional progress is lost when I reopen it on the Android.  Any idea what is (or isn't) happening?

Thanks

Ok, upon further testing, it is syncing from the PC, just a lot less frequently; more like every 4-5 min, as opposed to the Android device, which was syncing approx every minute.  And it doesn't seem to save the progress at the point at which I close it down, so I guess I just need to not close it when I've finished reading, in order to give it time to update the progress.

[jim_chapman]

Thank you for reporting on the issues with synchronisation.  I have found a couple of errors in the code that mean synchronisation fails, or gets delayed, and I have fixed those - so after the next update, it may behave better.

But you are right, if you simply exit the app, it will mean that it does not have time to synchronise the latest position - and as the last saved position could be a minute or so out of date, when you open the book on another device, you'll find the position is not exactly right.  I may consider adding an option to the program to sync more frequently (but this could be problematic because of the extra network traffic and the extra drain on the battery).

[depoteet]

Thank you for reporting on the issues with synchronisation.  I have found a couple of errors in the code that mean synchronisation fails, or gets delayed, and I have fixed those - so after the next update, it may behave better.

But you are right, if you simply exit the app, it will mean that it does not have time to synchronise the latest position - and as the last saved position could be a minute or so out of date, when you open the book on another device, you'll find the position is not exactly right.  I may consider adding an option to the program to sync more frequently (but this could be problematic because of the extra network traffic and the extra drain on the battery).

I'm just beginning to use Freda, but so far I'm enjoying it. I am concerned about synchronization however as that's one of the main reasons I purchased it. Would it be possible to make manual synchronization an option?

Thanks

[jim_chapman]

I'm just beginning to use Freda, but so far I'm enjoying it. I am concerned about synchronization however as that's one of the main reasons I purchased it. Would it be possible to make manual synchronization an option?

The synchronisation function should basically work, if you follow the instructions above (though, as noted, you may find a lag of a minute or so, meaning that the page number is not exactly right). If it's not working at all for you, please let me know (in forum, or by email to jim@turnipsoft.co.uk).

Freda does also provide a way to manually copy books, reading positions, tags, highlights, bookmarks and settings from one device to another. You'll find that on the main page hamburger menu, under 'merge/save/load'. That may do what you need - when you've finished reading on one device, go into that page and tap 'merge'. Once it's finished, then move onto your other device and, before opening any book, use that same menu item and choose 'merge' again, to apply all the latest information from the device you were previously using.

[Nilliom]

I cannot setup the onedrive for synchronisation between device. I go to the setup page it say press button bottom of the screen but no button is present there. A button exist at the top, a key icon but when pressed it does nothing. Version 4.28 r2. Phone lg g6, on Android 8.0.0. Help!

[jim_chapman]

I cannot setup the onedrive for synchronisation between device. I go to the setup page it say press button bottom of the screen but no button is present there. A button exist at the top, a key icon but when pressed it does nothing. Version 4.28 r2. Phone lg g6, on Android 8.0.0.  Help!

Sorry about the problem you are experiencing.  Please could you email Freda's log file (to jim@turnipsoft.co.uk).  Instructions are here: http://www.turnipsoft.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=5

[Nilliom]

I cannot setup the onedrive for synchronisation between device. I go to the setup page it say press button bottom of the screen but no button is present there. A button exist at the top, a key icon but when pressed it does nothing. Version 4.28 r2. Phone lg g6, on Android 8.0.0.  Help!

Sorry about the problem you are experiencing.  Please could you email Freda's log file (to jim@turnipsoft.co.uk).  Instructions are here: http://www.turnipsoft.com/forums/showthread.php?tid=5

Sent from my phone in an email...
Thanks

[TerryMulhern]

The synchronisation function should basically work, if you follow the instructions above (though, as noted, you may find a lag of a minute or so, meaning that the page number is not exactly right). If it's not working at all for you, please let me know (in forum, or by email to jim@turnipsoft.co.uk).

Freda does also provide a way to manually copy books, reading positions, tags, highlights, bookmarks and settings from one device to another. You'll find that on the main page hamburger menu, under 'merge/save/load'. That may do what you need - when you've finished reading on dissertation service device, go into that page and tap 'merge'. Once it's finished, then move onto your other device and, before opening any book, use that same menu item and choose 'merge' again, to apply all the latest information from the device you were previously using.

Hello,

I'm having issues with synchronization too. I have Freda 4.28 rev2 on Android 6.0.1 When I try to merge, the app just freezes. Can it be a size related issue?

Thanks.