Git-annex
Git-annex and Git-annex Assistant are two useful tools for managing files with git. Actually, they work like a replacement for DropBox or Ubuntu One. Some suggested Aerofs, but I prefer open source and non-proprietary technology.
git-annex allows managing files with git, without checking the file contents into git. While that may seem paradoxical, it is useful when dealing with files larger than git can currently easily handle, whether due to limitations in memory, time, or disk space. It also is a method to "use" multiple storage locations without having to keep all these locations as perfect duplicates of each other. Instead each is a git 'remote' and you can pull or push to them as needed.
The git-annex assistant creates a synchronised folder on each of your OSX and Linux computers, Android devices, removable drives, NAS appliances, and cloud services. The contents of the folder are the same everywhere. It's very easy to use, and has all the power of git and git-annex.
See https://git-annex.branchable.com/assistant/ for more on the assistant.
Instance[edit | edit source]
Instead of using the Ubuntu packaged version of git-annex, I chose instead to download the most recent version and run that. I started the program using the command for the web-assistant ~/bin/git-annex.linux/git-annex-webapp
More Info[edit | edit source]
- http://owncloud.org/ is the only open source option that I see promoted anywhere
- https://docs.google.com/document/d/14h1N5XLWsahFWxehRIw7y32GJLOD5KGpdvwQHjr5UxQ/edit# A document listing alternatives that would make for a nice semantic database
- http://lifehacker.com/5818908/dropbox-vs-the-alternatives-which-online-syncing-service-is-right-for-you doesn't mention Git-annex
