Hi rdb,
I know that users actually can see each Library and Folder in the Client if it’s read-only or read-write.
(NB: the iPhone App with the latest Beta has a issue - not showing the Glasses !!!)
The point is, users in a company want this Client to work and not to care about it.
Only if they do something that must be corrected (e.g. file conflict, putting files in a read-only folder that can not be synced, etc) they should be noticed.
We used Seafile CE for some years now and most users simply had read-write everywhere.
Now we just bought the Pro version and want to implement read-only shares (so all sub-folders are read-only) and enable read-write on specific (many, in different locations) for people who actually should put files.
Users tend to make mistakes (e.g. putting files in a read-only folder by mistake) - but if the Client does not pop up a message that the user should correct this, you can imagine the mess after a few days.
Seafile has so many advantages over other solutions (very fast sync for instance) and the Client really works well. But we can not guarantee that users will not make mistakes and we don’t want to have important files offline in read-only folders on users computers.
Before we made our choice last week to buy the Pro license, we tested Nextcloud for some weeks and the result with file sync and Desktop Client showed many issues (one being that if you move a folder structure into a synced share, it simply wont sync - big issue… only if you close and restart the client it will do the sync - and there are other problems with their Client)
But - here is the but
They have a better understanding on what to show to the user and what not if a problem arrises.
Here are some screenshots of a synced folder called “Read only share”
(no subfolders)
the tray icon is very clear, simple to check, that all is hunky-dory
Now whatch what happens if I put a file in the read-only synced folder
the tray icon instantly chages its state and the user knows that there is a problem
When he clicks on the tray icon, the Desktop Client opens and the problem is listed, so the user can correct his mistake
If I add another file or let’s say folder within this read-only share, I get anoter line in the problem overview
and so on
We specifically have chosen Seafile PRO for these reasons over Nextcloud:
1.) file sync is solid, fast and incremental
2.) fine grained read/write permissions on any share and folder/subfolder
3.) file locking
All these basic features are impossible and a nightmare on Nextcloud
They do a very fancy web UI and the Phone App seems to be better too - but what does it help if the sync with the Desktop is crap.
So - we bought the PRO and wanted to move all company data back to Seafile… but now this.
I don’t see how I can safely roll out with lots of read-only folders if users can put content in there without anybody noticing the problem.
Even if I ask everybody to be very very very careful to first always check each folder if it is not read-only (via Web UI or via Client) it will eventually happen that mistakes are there…
You can imagine the trouble.
So here we are again: choosing between a very solid Seafile with solid sync and risking that data get’s forgotten in read-only shares or jump to Nextcloud which has a so-lala desktop Client but at least a clear communication to the user.
The Seafile Desktop Client should really help the user show easily if
- he has a conflict somewhere (this is possible today, but a nightmare for the user to find out)
- he has put files in a read-only location (so he can easily fix it himself - no support from IT required)
- leave him do his work and simply show the “OK” tray icon (if the OK sign is there - the User should sleep well knowing that all his data is 100% synced to the server)
I think these are obvious points and I really would love to see it happen.
Why not look and steal the good ideas or even make it better.
I’d love to roll out Seafile Pro with a Desktop Client that leaves the user quiet if all is ok and alerts him in a very simple way if he must take action.
If there is a way to accomplish this already today and I simply don’t see how to configure it, please help.
PS: please note that we do not use the Explorer Extension at all - it slows down rendering, makes the Explorer slower and adds way too much color to folder icons for nothing.
And even if we would use it - I can not guarantee that users will not put content in read-only folders.