Tracks : automatic export directory linked to tracks categories - Same for waypoints

Hello Ingo Rau,

Thank you for sharing your experience. I'm agree with you, in the case of the /export folder, it is not useful.

But, the case i talk about is different.

For Locus, when a kml/kmz is located in the /Locus/Mapitems folder, you don't need to import it.

When kml/kmz are checked in Locus Map Items Management function, Locus will show them straight on the screen without the need of the import process.

They can be waypoints/tracks kml/kmz.

Actually, it is not possible to modify/edit kml/kmz directly into Locus. But if, a kml/kmz is a mirror of a waypoint/track from the Locus database, in fact, you can do an edit thrue Locus.

In my case, it can be useful for this for example :

1. I have some waypoints / tracks categories that not changing so often, that have to be displayed on several devices. With Map Items Management, you already have the capabilities to organize categories with subfolders.

2. I have waypoints / tracks categories that i want to share in real time with others. That could help me to do it.

3. External users can add waypoints/tracks straight in my /Locus/Mapitems folders and subfolders with sync and without the need for me do something. I mean, they can add useful datas in my Mapitems folders (or i can add useful datas to their Mapitems folders too) in real time.

That's why, i also suggest a few improvements to the actual Map Items Management in this other topic :

http://help.locusmap.eu/topic/map-items-management-as-a-complete-alternative-to-locus-waypointstracks-to-open-devices-sync#comment-33994

Best regards,

Fifi

Thx for the explanation! I'll take back my -1, but for me its not useful enough to vote for it. Sorry.

I'll look at the map items idea - that whole function is very useful, but the UI is imho a mess and should be cleaned up.

Oops, didn't update to newest version yet (just back from holidays :). Map items has been completely redesigned - great! Still have to check it out in detail, but consider my previous comment "a mess" rescinded ;)

I'd say the mapitem mess is even greater now... but that's apparently a matter of taste :-).

Anyway... I am trying to turn Locus into a happy buddy sync experience since ages... instead of the "lonely wolf" app it currently is... but haven't had much luck so far. If you guys can share any bright ideas for current Locus, please tell me. It's pointless to sit and wait for new features really... life happens NOW and not in 2020.

What I want is to sit by a campfire at night and plan the next days together with my buddies. Any point I add should appear on their Locuses... and whatever they add should appear on mine. So far, this is a horribly sad import/export/click/tap orgy that makes your eyes water...

I tried mapitems folders and directory sync tools but didn't get very far yet. Maybe I am missing a key ingredient? Is there, for example, a tool that can keep directories on two devices in sync, even when you're completely offline? Needs to work through bluetooth transfer or nfc or wifi direct sharing or some such...

@Ingo Rau : Cool ! ;)

@Joeloc : do you know the FolderSync App ? http://www.tacit.dk/foldersync

If not, i invite you to explore this app first. Secondly, if this kind of app sync was not so useful for Locus, i think that maybe there's a chance that it could be useful with the new Map Items Manager.

Menion will say if i'm wrong, but my opinion is that, technically speaking, it is not easy to sync SQLite databases between several devices (and computers) . The solutions are not commons.

On another way, sync solutions for files and directories exists and are well known. But, technically, it is a complete different way of thinking then sync databases.

On both cases, Bluetooth, NFC, Wifi Direct are not really originally made for sync. Maybe i'm wrong, but no tools exist for offline syncs.

So, because of these technical aspects that i imagine to be, the perfect solution for what we would like to have is not easy to find, i guess.

But i really think that, with the Map Items Manager, we could find a way for ... Maybe i'm wrong. I hope not.

I tried FolderSync and SynchronizeUltimate and a few others... none of them does offline-sync. Also they have no "listeners" for changes in the remote folder. Or do they? Ie will they automatically update the local folder when a file in the cloud folder changes? Couldnt make that work. The other direction works nicely obviously, ie the cloud is auto-updated on local changes.

Resilio Sync (formerly BitTorrent Sync) looks like a complete solution for offline sync... havent tried that yet.

As far as simple and quick solutions for Locus go (like silent background auto-export of locus folders to gpx), this suggestion has been here for years. Not going to happen I fear. When and if menion does something, it will likely be a complex thingy via google accounts and god-knows-what (see new buddy tracking). Not bad per se, but it will not help the "campfire scene" at all. And contrary to popular belief, 99.5% percent of this planets surface does not have LTE and 95% does not even have any kind of GSM. Campfires are everywhere though :-).

Hmm...around the Campfire. Sounds interesting to do a test.

I used Samsung ACE2 phone (data OFF) hotspot function.

TAB4 and THL4000 (both no sim installed) wifi connect to "Adroid AP" hotspot.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.resilio.sync&hl=en on the TAB4 and THL4000.

Standard folder sync location is Download -> Folder Sync. I did not change the standard location for a short test and copied my folder "tracks" with subfolders into that standard location

"Synchronise" tests by copy cut and paste (files and folders) on both TAB4/THL4000 seems to work correct and fast.

Did not test Foldersync app.

This Resilio App is cool re. its listening to changes. However, I switched off mobile data, and my WiFi routers.

Then tried to establish a WiFi direct link between a Note 3 (not 7 :-) and a G5. Bummer.

I also tried Mobile Hotspot on my G5 with mobile data switched off. Other than the Note 3 it allowed this feature, provided a WiFi, and my Note3 could connect to the G5.

However, Resilio on G5 considered itself unconnected.

No Campfire exchange.

Any ideas ?

I know, as I also had such a first test with only 2 phones active.

I had to use the Samsung Ace 2 GT-I8160 phone as mobile hotspot.

I now tested with even older Samsung Ace GT-S5830 as mobile hotspot.

Already for some longer time out of service (no sim) but battery still ok.

Also functional to be used as mobile hotspot for this short test.

So best to keep these old phones out of that Campfire ;-)

OK, n people need n+1 phones. And the "+1" is simply the isolated, local WiFi hub. Yet, the one needs to allow for such. My Note3 did not without mobile switched on. But maybe it would do if mobile was switched on, but would not connect in the wilderness.

Using a separate access point is cheating... and majorly increases the click&tap orgy... and overall battery usage.

Maybe a clever tasker profile that auto builds a wifidirect network on bluetooth proximity and changed files? And then a fix for Resilio to work reliably over wifidirect?

But this is all moot unless Locus supports quiet auto-export...

Is only invitation to interested users running tests using "resilio sync" app, no garantee for (Locus) succes, have a look what it can do actually, not what it can't do (now).

https://help.getsync.com/hc/en-us/articles/205506569-Can-I-connect-two-pre-populated-folders- (I did not test...someone ? )

See more in "resilio sync" app help and there is also a forum for questions or a new feature request.

ONLY "In the middle of nowhere", needs extra (old) android version phone (screen off). EASY FAST wifi autoconnect (standard knowledge) to the only available hotspot, does not cause extra click&taps.

@ Michael. In "resilio sync" app setting: Use mobile data (OFF). Does do the job ?

https://help.getsync.com/hc/en-us/articles/205458145-Settings-on-mobile-platforms

With two Androids I got a one way connection working, and indeed I had switched Use Mobile Data Off from the very beginning. With all above said, I trust the n+1 Android as access point will do the job.

Come on, cheating ?

If this access point is at the campfire with no mobile network at hand, it's just a tool, not a cheat.

@0709: I currently cannot share your hope on Resilio.

It does not even sync two existing /Locus/export directories on internal SDs. Even with Simple Mode deactivated.

Creates additional export directories either inside /Locus/export, or besides, as export(1).

Thanks anyway for these extra tests, info and your report.

@ Michael: A next test set up.

Synchronising my exixsting Locus Folder "tracks" (has several subfolders).

So is sitting into the main Folder Locus on the SD card. Except a hidden .sync "folder "Resilio sync" did not generate any extra folder, into that folder "tracks". (SD card -> Locus -> tracks)

Connected 4 mobile devices via the home acces point. (THL4000 / SM-T335 / GT-I8160 / SM-T520).

All have Folder 'tracks" in that Main Locus folder

In Resilio Settings:

General: Use mobile data: off // Use notifications: Set // Auto start off// Battery saver off // Auto Sleep Off // In Advanced: Simple mode off !! But it seems you can set a new "Default folder location" (did not try.)

In Resilio Folders:

My folder name: "tracks". Tap on the right encircled i ! Share -> Share options: Read &Write // Selective sync UNSET !! // See peers and more informative details here: For example to control your folder path: On the THL phone: storage/sdcard0/Locus/tracks.

In Share options: Permissions: Read&Write // Links expires: Never // One time link: Unset // Approvals: All peers // Advanced: Copy keys: Set // Path:

A cycle track today recorded by the THL phone, has autoexport gpx into folder: SD card -> Locus -> tracks -> export -> THL4000.

After wifi connect, "Resilio sync" on, this recorded track was correctly (fast) attached into that "THL4000" Folder at ALL connected mobiles. (No cloud !)

Sorry, I personally do not like this idea. From my point of view, such improvement has no usage as is for common user. All point of this idea, is to achieve something that is missing in Locus. And instead of creating workarounds that will be also quite complicated to create (mainly because of problems with filesystem on Android 5+), I would rather invest time to some campfire sync mechanism over NFC+Wifi direct system, which is from my point of view doable.

I also discuss this topic around some sync mechanism with Petr and in end, we maybe decided to create some a lot easier and more simple solution like sharing of whole databases or whole folders instead of waiting on some super complicated multifunction sync solution. Anyway I'm not promising now ... , sorry.

Aaarggh :) It's a shame, it was the only thing that was missing (in my point of view) to have a usable easy working solution ... Anyway, thank you for your answer

Hmmmm ... re-thinking about "workaround" ... it's a shame, you see a workaround ... where i see a function that works in Locus and that need just maybe an improvement. :( It could be also an improvement for those who exports and like their exports to be well organized.

The actual path that is defined into the general setting works fine independently of Android version ...

Tecnhically, is it not only a field "export path" to add in your database containing this path linked to a "track category" field ?

Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaase !!!

Do somethiiiiiiiiiiiiiing ...

Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaase !!!

Meniiiiiiiiiiooooonnnn ... ! :)

I would be pleased at least to have implemented some campfire sync mechanism over Wifi direct system (not NFC because not all phones have NFC ).. Locus to locus, without any other bluetooth share or wi-fi sharing program( I may have SuperBeam ,but my friends may not have it installed and in the wilderness without internet they cannot install anything)

My tests until now with Resilio app Sync are positive, after carefull installation ! Nice fast autosyncing on all (4 test) mobiles.

Yes, does use a local accespoint. Anyway, simple sync operation, by wifi auto(re)connect to my homespot, when arriving at home.

I only use 2 way autosync for my gpx tracks folder. Comfortable in use (exclusively in use between the mobiles)

Similar comfort as dropbox, but MUCH faster 2 way sync. A positive for dropbox, has that automatic backup at the dropbox servers.

So one local mobile, my tablet, still has that extra connect to dropbox.

Also had a short test to sync my (small) Locus database over my mobiles. Warning ! Before test take a backup copy !

It seemed to sync all my POI's succesfully. But you have to push a POI folder on your other mobiles to see the update changes.

Surprise (Backup !) by experiments I unexpectedly deleted my database, and wham, by very fast sync, a direct delete on ALL connected mobiles ;-)

But what use for ? Syncing (2 way ?) database with friends around a campfire ? Makes no senses, all having that exact same database, not ?

Direct wifi ? More simple set up ? Sharing yes, but 2 way sync ?

A succesfull wifi direct set up between Samsungs was succesfull, but the THL did not offer compatibility with Samsungs Wifi Direct ?

So I had to use also external app...."SHAREit"....share yes, but 2 way sync ?

Using bluetooth ? More simple set up ? hmm share yes, but 2 way sync ?

You can transfer an apk to your pals, i.e. give them SuperBeam e.g.). Bootstrapping :-)