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No-Sync EverNote on a USB Device
By Drew Vogel ("vogelap"). Inspired by Helix.
Revision 1.01, 13-November-2007
I have had some trouble with the syncronization capabilities of EverNote as discussed in this thread. Inspired by forum user Helix, I've documented the way I configured EverNote to use my USB device as storage for the database, thereby eliminating the need for synchronization. This puts my entire EverNote database ("ENbase") on the USB device and keeps backups of the database on each local computer (in case the USB device is forgotten/lost, all is not lost!). While this isn't a truly portable solution (the local computers must have EverNote installed on them), it is certainly sufficient for my needs and gets past the issues I was experiencing with USB synchronization.
My first suggestion: Register EverNote! The method described below probably works with the unregistered version, but EverNote is great software and deserves your support.
If you are converting from an existing ENbase to a USB-based ENbase, perform these steps on your existing (non-USB) ENbase:
- Exit EverNote using the File->Exit command. Do not exit EverNote with the red "X" in the top right corner as this may leave it minimized and running, depending on your configuration.
- Create the "My EverNote Files\DataBases" (you can name it whatever you wish) directories on your USB device. This is the destination directory where EverNote will store ENbases on your USB device.
- Locate the ENbase you wish to relocate to the USB device. Start looking in C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\My Documents\My EverNote Files -- that is where the files are stored by default.
- Using Windows Explorer, Move (not Copy) the ENbase file to the destination directory on your USB device. For example, if your ENbase was called "Energy", move the Energy.enb, Energy.eni, Energy.enl, and Energy.enr files to the "My EverNote Files\DataBases" directory on your USB device.
Next, we'll open the relocated ENbase, make a few configuration changes within EverNote, and create desktop shortcuts...
- Using Windows Explorer, double-click the ENbase ("Energy.enb", in our example) on the USB device to open it with EverNote.
- Go to Tools->Options...->Backup and set "Backup files folder" to a location on the local hard drive (not the USB device) and configure it to backup at a reasonable interval (1 hour or 6 hours) and when closing application or database. This way, there is a backup available on your local PC. If you forget/lose your USB device, all is not lost!
- OPTIONAL (recommended): Under Tools->Options->General, UNCHECK "Keep running in tray when main window is closed". This way, when exiting EverNote either by the red "X" or File->Exit, EverNote completely exits (and closes the database) in case the USB device is removed.
- You may now close EverNote (use File->Exit).
- OPTIONAL: Delete the existing EverNote icon from your desktop (if there is one).
- OPTIONAL: Drag a shortcut of the ENbase ("Energy.enb", in our example) from your USB device to your desktop.
- OPTIONAL: Rename the new shortcut on the desktop "EverNote" (or whatever you wish to name it). The reason for these optional steps is to prohibit EverNote from starting if your USB device isn't available (for example, if it is not plugged in).
- OPTIONAL: To ensure that I remember to take the USB device home with me at the end of the day, I installed a reminder on my PC that displays at shutdown. Helix keeps the USB device on the key ring with the car keys, which also works!
On the second (or third, etc.) computer, the process is pretty much the same...
- Install EverNote.
- Insert the USB device that contains your ENbase.
- Using Windows Explorer, navigate to the location of your ENbase on the USB device -- usually something like F:\My EverNote Files\DataBases\DatabaseName.enb (where F:\ is the letter of your USB drive and DatabaseName.enb is the name of your ENbase) -- and double-click on the ENbase to open it with EverNote.
- OPTIONAL (recommended): Under Tools->Options->General, UNCHECK "Keep running in tray when main window is closed". This way, when exiting EverNote either by the red "X" or File->Exit, EverNote completely exits (and closes the database) in case the USB device is removed.
- Go to Tools->Options...->Backup and set "Backup files folder" to a location on the local hard drive (not the USB device) and configure it to backup at a reasonable interval (1 hour or 6 hours) and when closing application or database. This way, there is a backup available on your local PC. If you forget/lose your USB device, all is not lost!
- You may now close EverNote (use File->Exit).
- OPTIONAL: Delete the existing EverNote icon from your desktop (if there is one).
- OPTIONAL: Drag a shortcut of the ENbase ("Energy.enb", in our example) from your USB device to your desktop.
- OPTIONAL: Rename the new shortcut on the desktop "EverNote" (or whatever you wish to name it). The reason for these optional steps is to prohibit EverNote from starting if your USB device isn't available (for example, if it is not plugged in).
Additional ideas...
- Copy the EverNote installation file to the USB device. If you find yourself at a computer and need the full power of EverNote, you can install it, access the information you require, then uninstall EverNote.
- Register and install EverNote Portable on the USB device and point it toward your ENbase on the USB device. This way, you can run EverNote from whereever you are without the need to install anything on the local computer.
Using these steps, you can create an ENbase on a USB device and always be in sync!
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