NetSync
Chapter 6

Copyright © 1996-2002 Kaylon Technologies Inc. All rights reserved.

 
6.1 Introduction

NetSync allows Powermarks to communicate with the Kaylon NetSync server to store bookmark collections on the Internet. This allows you to backup bookmarks and synchronize collections from various locations, such as work and home, and access bookmarks from any computer.

NetSync is safe and secure in addition to being completely private. We derive absolutely no data from this service or its usage, it is provided strictly as a feature and convenience for Powermarks users. Best of all, it is FREE for all Powermarks users, even if you are just evaluating the software.

 
6.2 Basics

To use NetSync, you need an account on the NetSync server. Fill out a request form at http://www.kaylon.com/cgi-bin/netsync/request.cgi to establish an account. After submitting the form, an e-mail will be mailed to you with your username and password. You are now ready to use NetSync.

Select NetSync from the Powermarks Tools menu to display the NetSync dialog window:


The Server URL field will default to the Kaylon NetSync server, http://sync.kaylon.com/cgi-bin/netsync/sync.cgi and need not be changed unless you are using an alternative URL provided by us. Enter your username and password as provided in the NetSync account creation e-mail. The Action drop down list provides the following options:

Synchronize
Synchronize your local collection with the collection on the server. Both your local collection and the collection on the server is updated to reflect your most recent changes. Bookmarks may be added or removed. NetSync has no concept of "changes" to bookmarks, instead, it deletes the old one and replaces it with the new one.
 
Upload
Only upload to the server, no local changes are made. The new bookmarks that are added to the server are merged with the existing bookmarks already existing on the server.
 
Download
Download only, no server changes are made. Any bookmarks that exist on the server but not on your local computer are downloaded and added to your existing collection.
 
Erase Everything on Server
Resets your NetSync account so no bookmarks exist on the server.
Change Password
Change your NetSync password.

Select the action you wish to perform and press Start. The NetSync Status dialog window will appear:


The dialog will display a progress indicator to keep you updated of the status of the operation. When the operation is complete, the Cancel button will turn in a Close button. If you want to view the details of the operation, press the Details button. The dialog window will be expanded to display detailed information about the server, your account and the operation being performed:


If an error occurs, it will be displayed in red as shown below. When contacting us about errors, make sure you note both the message text and the number that follows the message. This is vital to help us track down the problem.


NetSync requires the time on your computer to be correct. If it detects an error greater than 30 minutes, it will stop and display an error:

You can either have Powermarks change the time for you, or you can do it manually using the standard Windows clock.

 
6.3 Using NetSync in the Real World

Synchronizing Collections Between Multiple Computers

  1. Setup a NetSync account to obtain a username and password.
  2. From any of the computers you wish to synchronize, select NetSync from the Tools menu
  3. Enter your username and password. Check the Save Password option if you wish to avoid having to enter your password each time you use NetSync.
  4. The Action option defaults to Synchronize so just press Start to start synchronizing.

Run NetSync from any computer at any time; Powermarks will make sure all changes are properly merged.

Backing Up Your Bookmarks

  1. Setup a NetSync account to obtain a username and password.
  2. Run Powermarks and load your bookmark file
  3. Select NetSync from the Tools menu
  4. Enter your username and password. Check the Save Password option if you wish to avoid having to enter your password each time you use NetSync.
  5. Set the Action drop down list to "Upload"
  6. Press the Start button

Restoring Your Bookmarks from the Server

    1. Run Powermarks and select NetSync from the Tools menu.
    2. Enter your username and password. Check the Save Password option if you wish to avoid having to enter your password each time you use NetSync.
    3. Set the Action drop down list to "Download"
    4. Press the Start button

Multiple Accounts

Each NetSync account allows you to synchronize and backup a single collection of bookmarks. If you have multiple collections that you want to manage, just use the NetSync Account Request page to create multiple accounts. A scenario where this may be applicable is if you have a two work computers, a desktop and a laptop and you wish to synchronize them in addition to backing up a bookmark collection on your home computer.

6.4 In Case of Problems

If Powermarks reports an error when you use NetSync, record the error message and any number that may follow the message. Send this and any additional information regarding the problem to support@kaylon.com.

6.5 Lost Passwords

Send us e-mail if you lost your password. We will mail your password back to you at the e-mail address we have on file for you.

6.6 Security

Powermarks uses a secure mechanism to transmit passwords to the server so that if someone is electronically eavesdropping on the conversation between Powermarks and the server, your password is still safe. This is in contrast to many common Internet protocols, such as FTP, POP3, and telnet which transmit plain text passwords. However, your bookmarks are not encrypted while in transit so an eavesdropper would have access to them. Only you can decide how important this is to you, but while reflecting on this, keep in mind that by default, your email and any files you download or upload are also clearly visible to an eavesdropper. If the US eases export restrictions for encryption technology we will address this issue.

Another potential concern is having your bookmarks reside on another computer that is not under your control. This is a legitimate concern, however, in most cases, the same is also true for your e-mail. Additionally, many ISPs use HTTP proxies that allow them to track all the sites you visit. We have worked very hard to implement a secure server so that your bookmarks are securely stored on our server.

 
6.7 Privacy

All bookmarks stored on the NetSync server are absolutely, totally private. We will never look at them in any manner nor share them with anyone. There are two exceptions to this policy: you give us explicit permission to look at them to troubleshoot a problem, or we are legally required to give them to law enforcement. We derive absolutely no data from this service or its usage, it is provided strictly as a feature and convenience for Powermarks users.

We take this policy very seriously and have instituted controls within Kaylon Technologies to ensure that it is never broken.

6.8 What to do if you are Paranoid
  1. Use a password of at least 10 characters
  2. Do not use the Save Password feature in Powermarks
  3. View the details window when using NetSync and verify the last access time and location is correct

If you feel someone other than yourself is accessing your NetSync account, contact us immediately.

Copyright © 1996-2002 Kaylon Technologies Inc. All rights reserved.