One of the most requested features for Snippets application was an ability to use Dropbox for syncing between computers and sharing snippets between co-workers. After releasing 1.0 we were working hard on both of these features. And now we are ready to go with release 1.1.
Dropbox Syncing
Developers really need to sync snippets between their macs at different places and to share them with others. Our app already had support for MobileMe syncing but this option requires paid account. Dropbox would be a great replacement or addition to MobileMe Sync.
So after careful thinking and technical analysis we ended up with a solution that should solve most of your needs.
By the way, if you create a new Dropbox account by clicking this link, we will get some additional space.
Snippets Datastores
Datastore is a special bundle containing snippet items and located in the file system. You can create it from a sidebar group in any location, i. e. in a shared Dropbox folder.
The best thing about Snippets Datastore is that any number of clients can be connected to the same Datastore and all linked groups will stay in Sync automatically. Later, you can unlink all groups to move Datastores into another location and so on.
Team Collaboration
You can completely backup or sync all your groups by categories. But the most exciting thing is that you can create “shared” groups really easy. Simply create a new Datastore in the shared Dropbox folder and notify your co-worker about its location. All they have to do is to double-click the bundle and link it with their own sidebar groups. In other words, now we can share Libraries of Snippets!
Unsigned Resources
Version 1.0 has been digitally signed in such way that you couldn't modify icon and image resources directly within a bundle. Thanks to our followers, we found how to make it possible. So starting with today's release, you can “skin” Snippets application by modifying selected contents of the bundle.
Multi-Touch Gestures
We implemented 3-fingers Swipe gesture in a previous update 1.0.1. After using a Trackpad for switching between snippets in a main table view, it seemed that we could incorporate some new gestures to make the Application even more responsive. So we added two more Multi-Touch interactions. Now you can use Pinch gesture to open or hide Inspector panel, and horizontal Swipe gesture to switch between its main and additional panes. Do you like it?
Support Snippets
As you may know, Ars Technica organizes Mac Application Design Awards this year. You can find more details at http://arst.ch/2010ada. So if you are a Snippets fan, please help us to nominate! There are only two days left :)
Thanks in advance!
Lucky Ants
P. S. Now we also have a page with Features!
Comments
Thank you for kind words David :) We will continue to improve Snippets.
yep, you guys rock. it’s one thing to own killer software. it’s a whole other thing to own killer software that keeps getting better. bar none Snippets is the best.
Thank you for support Oliver!
Let me just say THANK YOU for such a wonderful application. I do however have one problem with the Dropbox integration.
Simply put, I want to sync my entire snippets library w/o having to pay for MobileMe.
The current Dropbox integration is really not a sensible solution in my case. As it stands now I’d have to create a group and manually drag every snippet I have into it, and continue to do that every time I create a new snippet. Meh…
I see Snippets as quite literally the best personal code manager that has ever existed. The Dropbox integration seems too focused on team collaboration. From my perspective I’d like to see you do one thing first and do it really well. Be the best personal snippet manager the world has ever known, then you can add the team collab stuff later.
Of course I’m just some anon that has no clue what your users are asking for! But my gut tells me a lot of people wanted a true MobileMe replacement first…
Just one nerds opinion :)
Thank you for such a great support! We will consider to enable synchronization for the whole database in future updates.
I must agree here. It is a manual process to make sure you put a new snippet into one of your shared datastores. Too easy to forget then get home and realize you cannot access the snippet you saved at work. Also, is there a easy way to figure out which of your snippets is NOT in one of your shared data stores (i.e. is in the local store only)?
I, too, would much prefer to use Dropbox to synch everything between my 2 main coding machines.Snippets ROCKS! Just could be a tiny bit better ;-)
Does this mean I can change the Snippet’s icon now? :D
Yes, you can :)
I’m really surprised that DropBox integration is not simpler, considering the rest of this product has clean UI and high useability. One more vote from me for full database integration.
Jay, thanks for your vote. Dropbox sync was designed to allow you to share selected set of snippets with other people for collaboration purposes.
We are aware of the need to synchronize the whole library.
I’ve just thought as well, does this mean I have to recreate all my snippet smart groups and folders on my second machine? arrgh.
Hi, its a nice app, but I would like to know what the status is about the whole db share/sync.
Status is “In progress” :).
Happy Additional Year everybody under the sun! :)
Any progress on syncing the whole database over dropbox? I’m leery of paying so much money for an app that I can’t easily sync, and the idea of syncing indivdual groups seem silly.
I too would never use this datastore functionality. Even before you make a sync system for drop box, you can at least let us change the location of the XML file you store data with, so we can share that through dropbox and use the data with a copy of snippets we have on any of our systems. That’s really all I need.
Hey guys, here’s a simple way of syncing your entire library while using Dropbox without a mobile me account.
http://www.fierycode.com/sync-snippets-library-with-dropbox
Enjoy
I’d buy instantly the app if with full dropbox support ! Please… :)
Why can’t it just let me sync the whole data and settings of snippets? Nothing help for only specific groups. It even can’t make sub-groups under it…
Datastores is just solution to the different problem which is sharing a selected group of snippets in a team. This is not our try to sync the whole library.
Sync is on the way…
You can create a Folder and many Groups in it.
Good to know you’re working on sync… d^_^
Can I make a group(linked with datastore) and create folders or groups in it?
Just sharing a selected group of snippets is not helpful for me.. Since I need to share a bundle of snippets across my other Macs.
The datastore sharing with only one group in it is really painful to use… :(
You can’t add folders or groups to the group… only snippets. Anyway, thanks for the feedback, we will take it into consideration.
Hi,
Is it a bad Idea to just point your library at dropbox.
I will not be editing on two Macs at the same time. But want access to the snippets on both.
Cheers
I found the answer in google, remove the topic pls.
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Nice! love the dropbox support and the Collaboration. Very nice. The best App for Snippets on the Mac :)