I have now received two more instances where SyncTunes has deleted files outside of the destination folder, from the root folder and down. I don’t know which version of the application was being used in one case but the other was v2.0.0 R1 which was replaced by R2 last September. Obviously, I don’t want anyone to lose their files and if anyone else has experienced this and not written to me, I sincerely apologise to you too. I have tested with v2 release 2 and cannot replicate this bug, but this is no help to the few that have been affected.

Since I haven’t received any volunteers for SyncTunes and I haven’t sufficient time allocate to it myself, I’ve decided to withdraw SyncTunes and have removed all download links to it. I have informed both Versiontracker and Macupdate of this too.

For those still using SyncTunes: please only use v1.6.1 or v2.0.0 release 2 [ from the v2 ZIP archive]. I will leave these pages here so that the documentation can be accessed.

I’d like to thank all of you for the mails over nearly 3 years, and the donations to Diabetes UK.

I've had a report that when SyncTunes has been run directly from the downloaded disk image the new file sync feature has deleted files outside of the selected destination folder. So far I have been unable to reproduce this problem. However, to eliminate this from potentially occurring another user I have replaced the download DMG with a ZIP archive.Of course, I'll continue to investigate the problem.

The upgraded version is directly downloaded here: SyncTunes V2.0.0 Release 2 [No longer available]

I've been mulling this over for a while now and I think it is time that SyncTunes got more attention than I can give it. So if anyone feels that they want to get involved in the development please contact me here.

I haven't decided how to proceed with SyncTunes, but I'm open to suggestions (volunteer support within the current setup, or transfer to open source, shareware, commercial). However, if I may have to halt the project if there are no replies.

In adding support for 'automount' and other mount points in the underlying Unix system, I have added a possible bug which could have serious effects on files outside of the selected destination folder. I have fixed the problem and have uploaded a revised V2.0.0 as RELEASE 2. The bug was only present in the original download of v2.0.0, not any earlier versions.

I have had two reported incidents out of the thousands of downloaded copies of SyncTunes v2.0.0. One device type is unknown [I will update this post if I receive news] the other was with a Sansa m-series player with firmware 1.x. The Sansa mounted its memory on the hidden folder '/Volumes/Untitled' but the Finder displayed the volume name as 'Sanas m240'.

The upgraded version is directly downloaded here:SyncTunes v2.0.0 Release 2 [No longer available]
This is a necessary upgrade for all users of the original SyncTunes v2.0.0.

I have created a small script that will provide a list of valid disks so that you can see if your device is mounted properly within Mac OS X. The script is here: Valid disks for SyncTunes

You can determine which version you have by selecting 'About SyncTunes', the new version looks like this:

Finally, the next release of SyncTunes is available. During the recent beta programme some fairly major updates were included and it seemed that a full version increase was appropriate, so the v1.7.0 beta is now released as SyncTunes v2.0.0.

Notable updates:

• 'Replace' mode sync has been updated to performs true incremental syncs.
  
• Now creates PLS as well as M3U format playlists, with additional formatting options.
  
• Individual M3U/PLS playlists created for child playlists of iTunes folder playlists.
  
• AAC selection includes iTunes Plus AAC as a standard DRM-free AAC format.
  
• New look interface replaces brushed metal.
  
• Localised in to French.

The full list of changes is available [here] .

Another updated for the new 'Replace' sync.

When the un-needed tracks and podcasts had been removed, the sync would still try to copy all files again regardless of whether the file existed at the destination. Normally this had no impact on the sync, but if the track was set to be converted then the conversion would happen so causing a delay while that happened.

Included in the download are two application versions: the first has the current interface, while the second has some cosmetic changes. The decision as to which of the two to use hasn't been made yet.

The new beta is available [here] along with details of all changes.

Note to Listings sites: Please link to the Beta page and not directly to the beta disk image file. There is information on the page that your users should read first before running the software.

The new 'Replace' sync that performs a faster sync wasn't working 100% for podcasts, this has now been fixed. It is available [here] along with details of the changes.

Note to Listings sites: Please link to the Beta page and not directly to the beta disk image file. There is information on the page that your users should read first before running the software.

Yet another new beta is now available that greatly improves the speed of a 'Replace' sync by only deleting the un-needed tracks. It should satisfy most users that have been asking a for proper synchronisation.

Yesterday's beta fixed a few issues and had changes that should make it more compatible with the M3U constraints of the newer Nokia Nnn phones. It is available [here] along with details of the changes.

Note to Listings sites: Please link to the Beta page and not directly to the beta disk image file. There is information on the page that your users should read first before running the software.

A new beta is now available that fixes a few issues and has changes that should make it more compatible with the M3U constraints of the newer Nokia Nnn phones. It is available [here] along with details of the changes.

It's been a long time since a new version was released, here is a new beta that adds new and updates existing features, and includes a number of fixes. It's a beta because I can't test all aspects of each change (such as no NFS autotmount volumes). It is available [here] along with details of the changes.

Note to Listings sites: Please link to the Beta page and not directly to the beta disk image file. There is information on the page that your users should read first before running the software.

1. New feature: Pre and post sync plug-ins. Can run an Applescript script before and another after the sync process. Allows for user-specifc customisation: includes a template plug-in
   
2. Error handling added around calls to Finder, which resulted in errors when the iTunes Music folder is in a File Vault protected folder. At minimum the sync will continue to the next track
   
3. Enabled iTunes fixed indexing to the iTunes playlist during the sync to stop it being automatically updated
   
4. Diskspace dialog during sync now works correctly if Cancel is selected

Update: Re-uploaded as the wrong build was uploaded: correct date is 14/07/2006 17:53

It's been a while in the beta phase, but here is the final version of 1.6.0. The User Guide will be updated soon.

One point to note: Be sure to turn off 'Play on import' in iTunes advanced settings, as this adversely affects performance when tracks are converted to MP3 or AAC during the sync.

1. Added selectable minimum bitrate when re-encoding files that are the same format as the selected encoder: iTunes tracks with bitrates below the setting will not be re-encoded
   
2. Checks for file existance at the destination before any conversion happens
   
3. Added option to use ID3 name tag as the destination filename (+ extension)
   
4. Illegal/accented characters from track filename now removed when syncing tracks
   
5. Converted track names now same as original file, after illegal/accented characters removed
   
6. Added option to use a single folder for artist/albums instead of the normal folder/subfolder hierarchy
   
7. M3U playlists now list tracks in same order as the iTunes playlist
   
8. Now supports reverse order syncing of the playlist tracks.
   
9. If playlist subfolder is set to be the same as iTunes playlist name, M3U playlists no longer have the 'ST-[dest folder]-' prefix.
   
10. Simple Mode now supports the use of a named folder in the top-level as well as the destination volume's top-level.
    
11. Changed M3U behaviour: 3 M3U files are normally created, if all files are MP3 or AAC, previously, SyncTunes would retain the M3U with MP3/AAC suffix. Now the M3U with no suffix is retained and the MP3/AAC M3U are deleted. This helps when using iTunes playlist name.
    
12. MP3 and AAC Track filenames with no extension now have .mp3 and .m4a, respectively, added to the synced destination filename
    
13. Added #M3UTITLE in extended format M3U playlists. Uses the iTunes playlist as the M3U title or the 'artist - album'
    
14. Invisibles erased during sync - just incase SyncTunes is not used to eject the volume
    
15. Various 'under-the-hood' changes
    
16. Profiles need to be resaved with v1.6.0
    
17. Bug fix: Quicktime files, such as OGG, in iTunes v5 do not report a bit rate. When converting file format, the file will be converted.
    
18. Bug fix: When an error occurs copying a track, now deletes any partially copied file and tries again. If a second error occurs the partially copied file is deleted and the track is skipped
    
19. Bug fix: Loading profiles on Intel Macs no longer rejected as the wrong file format
    
20. Bug fix: Now syncs files when running on Intel Macs instead of skipping over each track

[Update: the User Guide has now been updated with the new features]

A beta is now available that aims to address an Intel Mac issue when attempting to sync, plus some other tweaks. Lack of an Intel Mac means it can only get fixed if some testers come forward. It is available [here] along with details of the changes.

[Update: revised to beta 4 - please see notes for new details]

1. Faster iTunes Playlist diskspace calculation, especially on large playlists
   
2. Activity indicator animates during background processing
   
3. Mac OS X 10.3 bug during sync fixed
   
4. Now selectable option to update 'Last Played' date and 'Play Count' for playlisy and/or podcasts
   
5. Option to remove iTunes' new podcast marker (blue blob) when syncing shows
   
6. Now stops use of menus and saving Advanced settings during a sync
   
7. Compilation albums now placed in 'Compilations' folder when Artist/Album subfolders are enabled

Beta release: current stable release is 1.5.2 (OS X 10.4) and 1.5.1 (OS X 10.3)

1. Faster iTunes Playlist diskspace calculation, especially on large playlists
   
2. Activity indicator animates during background processing
   
3. Mac OS X 10.3 bug during sync fixed

1. Enhancement to 'Simple' mode: now supports .m3u playlists options
   
2. Enhancement to 'Simple' mode: now supports the artist/album subfolders hierarchy options
   
3. Enhancement to 'Simple' mode: diskspaces req./avail.now show correct values
   
4. iTunes Folder playlists are supported again after iTunes reclassified them
   
5. iTunes Folder playlists can now be 'Live updated': any 'smart' child playlist can be updated during the sync
   
6. Minimum requirement is now iTunes v5
   
7. Minimum requirement is now Mac OS X 10.4

Update: Three reports from OS X 10.3.9 users have indicated that this version has an error reported by iTunes when requesting information. Until this can be fixed users of 10.3 should use SyncTunes v 1.5.1

1. Bug fix: Windows and extended M3U formatting of playlists now works without Artist/Album folders enabled.
   
2. Bug fix: Tracks which iTunes reports as a non-integer size (such as streams) no longer cause an error.
   
3. Bug fix: Playlists with zero tracks to be transferred no longer cause an error.
   
4. Bug fix: Minor error handling changes.

1. New feature: Save and load profiles using the Profiles menu. Saved as files, profiles are able to be transferred between Macs or users to provide consistent set ups.

1. Advanced:Volumes option to convert accent from file and folder names on the destination volume (à becomes a):
   
   • À Á Â Ã Ä Å à á â ã ä å
     
   • È É Ê Ë è é ê ë
     
   • Ì Í Î Ï ì í î ï
     
   • Ò Ó Ô Õ Ö Ø ò ó ô õ ö ø
     
   • Ù Ú Û Ü ù ú û ü
     
   • Æ æ Ç ç Œ œ Ñ ñ ß Ÿ ÿ

1. Now removes the 'all tracks' playlist if it is the same as the MP3 or AAC version of that playlist.
   
2. Playlist options added to menu Advanced:Volume :
   
   • relative pathnames
     
   • extended M3U format
     
   • artist/album playlists
     
   • Windows file format and folder separators.
   
   

1. Stops MPEG-4 files being identified as MP3 audio.
   
2. Podcasts can be limited to those enabled/checked in iTunes.
   
3. Added a Refresh menu option to update the selected memory requirement and folder listing.
   
4. Added check that iTunes is version 4.9 or later.
   
5. Added 'Donate to Diabetes UK' menu.

1. Restricts destination folder selection when selected volume is the Startup Disk
   
2. Alert added before removing old playlist files when destination folder is or seems to be within a Mac OS X system/user folder
   
3. First attempt at Mac OS X universal build

1. Added 'advance settings' status bar to main window.
   
2. Fixed bug in m3u playlist creation when folder names have an '&'.
   
3. Fixed bug which cleared the destination folder menu list when a volume select was cancelled.

1. Added 'SIMPLE' mode: only copies playlist tracks to the top-level of the destination volume
   
2. Added ability to specify or select the subfolder name for playlist tracks
   
3. .m3u playlists creation is now optional
   
4. .m3u playlist names now include the folder names, and are linked to the subfolder name: allows for multiple playlists
   
5. Fixed .m3u playlist creation bug