Is there a way to install FreeFileSync in Ubuntu Mate 16.04?

Support & Help Requests
,
1

I do not have a lot of Linux experience, although I have used Ubuntu for years to get things done. I need a top quality File Sync that can sync to my Western Digital NAS unit. I have used Free File Sync on WIndows with great success, but I want to use Linux more.

Is there a way to install FreeFileSync in my Ubuntu Mate 16.04 even though the PPA and such is not usable? I can follow detailed instructions, but the ones I have found on the web did not work.

If FreeFileSync is not an option, something that can sync folders on Ubuntu Mate with folders on my WD NAS would be great. Again, I can follow detailed instructions, but I do not have development experience on Linux and there is no LUG in my area.

Thanks in advance for any help that can be given.
I want to grow into a contributor for the Ubuntu Mate community, but now I need help so I can grow.

2

According to the homepage you can.

3

@lpmorgan1. Give grsync a go. It’s a powerful GUI that let’s you use the features of rsync in Linux.

4

I use Syncthing. It is in the Software Boutique. I then install syncthing-gtk. It provides a nice GUI for Syncthing

5

I guess I failed to say that I had downloaded FreeFileSync and unpacked the TAR, but could not get it to work.
I used Google and found several places on the web that gave instructions (usually 2-4 years old) but none worked.
I found no instructions in the TAR file. I guess I expect instructions as well as the TAR file and find nothing.

If anyone has gotten FreeFileSync working with Ubuntu Mate 16.04 I would sure appreciate learning what they did.

In the meantime, I will check out the alternatives I see posted.

Thanks again,
Larry

6

I found Syncthing and installed it, but have not figured out the correct command line sytax. I have not been able to find Synthing-GTK on any of the Package Managers. Any tips on were to find Syncthing-GTK?

7

GRYSYNC does not appear to give me all of the options I want, but I may simply not understand the program yet. I will hunt for documentation, but if you can share a location for instructions I would appreciate it.

8

Here’s a good tutorial on how to use grsync:

9

16.04 with the mate 1.16 desktop.

FFsync.png1265Ă—561 135 KB

Whats not working for you?

10

I double click freefilesync and nothing happens. I right click and select open and nothing happens.

11

I do have Mate 1.12.1 if that makes a difference.

12

HI @lpmorgan1,

" freefilesync " downloads (32 or 64 Bit) from the links below and install with Gdebi!. :smiley:

https://ubuntu.pkgs.org/16.04/getdeb-apps-amd64/freefilesync_8.6-1~getdeb1_amd64.deb.html

https://ubuntu.pkgs.org/16.04/getdeb-apps-i386/freefilesync_8.6-1~getdeb1_i386.deb.html

EDIT: THE ABOVE LINKS DON’T WORK, SCROLL DOWN TO MY NEXT POST FOR A TERMINAL FIX!. :dagger:

13

I tried the 64 bit version. When I followed links and got to the download page, where it says Binary package:, clicking freefilesync_8.6-1~getdeb1_amd64.deb gives a 404 error.

I went back to the FreeFileSync home page and downloaded the Debian 64 bit version. GDEBI does not wok on that one, even when I extract it (in downloads). Clicking FreeFileSync in that extracted produces no results.

Either my Ubuntu Mate is corrupt, or there is something I do not know that is so basic that all of the very helpful people here do not even mention it when talking to this newbie. I think this is more likely,

Thanks!

14

You can download Syncthing GTK here:

The instructions for using it are enclosed. But, if you have any difficulty, come back on here and let me know and I will go through it with you. Meanwhile here is a screen-shot of the Syncthing-GTK GUI

Screenshot at 2017-01-23 14:48:08.png900Ă—600 98.9 KB

15

Hi @lpmorgan1,

you can manually add the package using the following commands:

Install the repository GPG key (open a terminal with Ctrl + Alt + t and paste the following commands):
(First one then the other!).

wget -q -O - http://archive.getdeb.net/getdeb-archive.key | sudo apt-key add -

sudo sh -c 'echo "deb http://archive.getdeb.net/ubuntu xenial-getdeb apps" >> /etc/apt/sources.list.d/getdeb.list'

Update the package index:

sudo apt-get update

Install freefilesync deb package:

sudo apt-get install freefilesync

Hope it helps!. :smiley:

ATTENTION: USING THE ABOVE COMMANDS WILL INSTALL A 3RD PARTY PPA AND YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT IT WILL UPDATE OTHER PACKAGES ON YOUR SYSTEM THAT ARE OUTSIDE OF THE NORMAL UBUNTU REPOSITORIES!. (USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!). :smiley:

2 Likes
16

Hallo

For Grsync tutorials try:

###First

###Second

I use it myself. I tried to use rsync from the command line but using the GUI wrapper “Grsync” is much more comfortable.

###Be advised…
rsync (and thus Grsync) is very powerfull. If you give it commands to destroy your system it will. Watch the videos. Both of them. There are some “little details” in there so pay attention all the time. Please let us know if you find these two tutorials helpful. :slight_smile:

1 Like
17

Hello Wolfman!

Thanks for tracking this down. I appreciate all of the relevant cautions. So far everything is working out fine.
I have installed it and it is working fine. I appreciate the help. I have so much to learn, eventually I will want to find out why the straight download worked for so many but not for me. But that is in the future. I needed this tool!!

Thank you very much!

1 Like
18

I am getting ready to install FreeFileSync on a second Ubuntu Mate 1604 laptop and want to report this is still working on the first laptop.

I do have one question. My Windows computers are now two versions ahead. My linux laptop advises me the new version is available. The standard Linux updates apparently do not apply here. Is there a way to update to the latest version?

Thanks again,
lpmorgan1

19

I strongly second that motion - I’ve used grsync for years - fast, understandable, many options, etc.

I heartily recommend it over some Windows ptogram.

20

ok misunderstanding :sweat: