Sync.in Review - Real-time Collaboration in Cloud

Summary

Sync.in ?	Web based word processor for collaboration in real-time
A product of	Cynapse, Mumbai, India
Useful for	Brainstorming, meeting notes, project planning, training
User Interface	Slick & intuitive
Base Technology	Etherpad
USP	Fast & responsive
Limitation	Drawing tools, subscript, superscript, image
Conclusion	Recommended

Detailed Review

Sync.in is a real-time collaboration tool. Users can simultaneously edit and all changes are seen live by users connected to the note/document. It synchronizes everyone’s edit & merges them all in real-time. Multiple people can simultaneously edit the same document, any changes reflect on everyone’s screen instantly.

I tested Sync.in (Public) with a team of 4 members (collaborators), simultaneously & randomly writing on the pad. There’s a Paid version as well - Sync.in (Pro).

The most impressive feature was its real-time synchronization capability. I was curious to know the time lag in syncronization i.e. the difference in time of typing the letter & appearing of that letter at the other end. To calculate this we accessed the same note (document) from two systems placed besides each other (so that we can view both the monitor screen). Interestingly, we could see each & every letter typed by other collaborators/members at our screen as if it was being typed from the keyboard attached to the local system. Practically, there was no perceivable lag at all.

We did a similar test with Google Docs - document, in the same environment. But its synchronization ability proved to be slower compared to Sync.in. In Google docs document, chunks of words appeared suddenly after a significant lag of say 12 seconds.

Noteworthy features

• Interface is quite intuitive. No learning curve.
• Chat window - collaborators can communicate while they're editing.
• The color coded (8 colors) text background indicates the contributions done by different users. Users can change their colors or completely turn this functionality off.
• Color highlight trail for each author: quickly know who contributed what.
• Infinite undo history..all changes are saved to the server and can be undone any time…
• One click, easy sharing - invite collaborators easily by sharing the note link over e-Mail, Facebook, twitter, Linkedin & other social networks.
• Travel back in Time using Time Slider.
• Mark & find important versions in a click
• Chat history is saved foreve, along with the note.
• Export your note as html, plaintext, bookmark file.

Limitations

• Export to Plain Text NOT maintaining formatting…of no practical use.
• No drawing tool
• No subscript, superscript support
• No formulae support (e.g. sharing equations etc)
• No image support…
• Font styles not supported.
• Very limited formatting tools.
• Connection with server lost frequently

Conclusion

Recommended.

Also note that, Sync.in Public notes can be accessed by anyone. For a private & secured note, companies can opt for Sync.in Pro which has enhanced security features for Private Notes viz.  Password, SSL (https) etc.

Optional Info

A few other similar services powered by ether-pad technology.

• http://meetingwords.com
• http://piratepad.net
• http://openetherpad.org
• http://ietherpad.com

Find out more at http://etherpad.org/etherpadsites.html

Cloud Computing Articles at Techno-Pulse

• Top 10 Cloud Computing Service Providers of 2009
• Best & Free Cloud Computing Applications
• India Based Cloud Computing Service Providers
• Cloud Based Project Management – DeskAway SaaS
• Develop SaaS on OrangeScape PaaS to Run on any Cloud Infrastructure
• Cloud Computing Service: A Basic Introduction – 1
• Cloud Computing: A Basic Introduction – 2
• Cloud Computing Platform Introduction - PaaS
• Cloud based on-Demand SaaS CRM for India: Impel
• Infrastructure as a Service – IaaS: Cloud Computing
• Develop Cloud based SaaS Applicatios on Wolf Platform
• SaaS Introduction with Example – Cloud Service