Keep Birder’s Diary In Sync Between Two or More Computers

Use these steps to keep your Birder’s Diary database and sighting attachments on two or more computers.

Make changes on only one computer at a time. Before switching computers, Backup the computer you were using and Restore that backup on the other computer. These instructions cannot combine changes made separately on both computers. If you have two databases that are out of sync, contact support@BirdersDiary.com for assistance.

Before continuing, install the latest build of your licensed version of Birder’s Diary on every computer. All computers should use the same version and build.

Version 7.0 or Later

  1. On the computer containing your latest data, perform a backup to a removable or shared device.
  2. On the other computer, choose File | Backup/Restore…, click Restore, and select that backup file.
  3. If Birder’s Diary finds the matching attachment backup directory, click Yes. Otherwise, select the attachment backup directory when prompted.
  4. After the Restore is complete, restart Birder’s Diary and confirm that you can see your data and open your sighting attachments.
  5. After making changes on the second computer, repeat these steps in the opposite direction before using the first computer again.

Versions Before Version 7.0

  1. On the computer containing your latest data, perform a database backup to a removable or shared device.
  2. Copy your complete sighting attachment directory onto the same device.
  3. On the other computer, use File | Backup/Restore… to restore the database backup.
  4. Copy the sighting attachment files into that computer’s attachment directory.
  5. After the Restore is complete, restart Birder’s Diary and confirm that you can see your data and open your sighting attachments.
  6. After making changes on the second computer, repeat these steps in the opposite direction before using the first computer again.

To find or change the sighting attachment directory, open View | Options… | Special. The attachment directory is shown near the bottom of that tab.

 If all computers have access to the same network drive, they can use the same sighting attachment directory. You must still use Backup/Restore to keep the database current on each computer.

 Moving the backup between computers can be done in many ways. You can use a network drive, USB flash drive, external drive, or other removable storage. Keep the database backup file and attachment backup directory together.

 Restore copies attachment files but does not delete other attachment files already on the computer.