How do I create a computer-to-computer network in Yosemite 10.2.2?

[lrberbach]

Syncing my iPhone and iPad does not work over my Verizon Home Fusion wireless internet connection, nor does it work at any hotels or other hot spots that I have used. I rely on computer-to-computer (ad hoc) connections. Two questions:

1. How do I create a computer-to-computer network in Yosemite 10.2.2? I am unable to create the network the way I did in past versions. I need instruction as I'm not a tech guru!

2. In a new version of Reunion, is there consideration of using iCloud to sync my Reunion software between devices automatically, especially now that Apple seems to have eased some app development restrictions? I know the Reunion folks don't tip us as to what will be in the next version, but I guess I need to vent! It takes 2-3 hours every time I sync my Reunion software to one device and do to the fact that I live in a rural area, I don't have access to regular high speed internet connections. I love Reunion and have been a long time user (since v.4, I think), but this device sync issue is frustrating me.

[Mark]

Re: How do I create a computer-to-computer network in Yosemite 10.2.2?

How do I create a computer-to-computer network in Yosemite 10.2.2?

First, make sure Wi-Fi is turned on -- you can do that by clicking the Wi-Fi icon in the main menu-bar at the top of the computer screen and choosing "Turn Wi-Fi On" (you won't see this option if Wi-Fi is already on). Once Wi-Fi is on, click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu-bar again and select "Create Network..." from the menu that opens. Give the network a name, select a channel (the default should work), and then click Create.

In a new version of Reunion, is there consideration of using iCloud to sync my Reunion software between devices automatically, especially now that Apple seems to have eased some app development restrictions?

It is on our wish list for consideration, though we prefer not to speculate on what features might be in future versions.

It takes 2-3 hours every time I sync my Reunion software to one device

It probably should not take that long to sync, especially over a computer-to-computer network. Are you uploading pictures when you sync? If so, try syncing without pictures and see if it's faster, and let us know the results.

...do to the fact that I live in a rural area, I don't have access to regular high speed internet connections.

When doing a computer-to-computer network your internet connection speed is not a factor in the speed of the transfer.

HTH

[lrberbach]

Re: How do I create a computer-to-computer network in Yosemite 10.2.2?

First, make sure Wi-Fi is turned on -- you can do that by clicking the Wi-Fi icon in the main menu-bar at the top of the computer screen and choosing "Turn Wi-Fi On" (you won't see this option if Wi-Fi is already on). Once Wi-Fi is on, click the Wi-Fi icon in the menu-bar again and select "Create Network..." from the menu that opens. Give the network a name, select a channel (the default should work), and then click Create.

Thank you, Mark, for your quick response! I did not think to look for Create Network when clicking on the WiFi icon! In the past I always went into System Preferences-Networks and chose the drop down menu under Network Name. That option no longer seems to be there which is what confused me.

It probably should not take that long to sync, especially over a computer-to-computer network. Are you uploading pictures when you sync? If so, try syncing without pictures and see if it's faster, and let us know the results.

I do have many images in my file which is probably why it takes so long. However, those images are very useful to me and I really want to include them.

When doing a computer-to-computer network your internet connection speed is not a factor in the speed of the transfer.

This is true, but automatic syncs to iCloud are so much easier and faster - much more convenient. Why use the Apple products if you can't use them to their fullest capacity? Note: I do use Reunion with Google Drive and that works very well, but of course I can't sync them to my iPad or iPhone (can I?)

[Mark]

Re: How do I create a computer-to-computer network in Yosemite 10.2.2?

I do have many images in my file which is probably why it takes so long. However, those images are very useful to me and I really want to include them.

The reason I asked you to attempt the sync without pictures was to determine if they are slowing down the upload. If they are, then there are other steps that we may be able to take to increase the upload speed.

This is true, but automatic syncs to iCloud are so much easier and faster - much more convenient.

My point was that uploads over a computer-to-computer network should actually be faster than going through iCloud, because iCloud syncing does depend on your internet connection speed while the computer-to-computer network does not. The latter should be faster, though I do understand that's not what you're currently experiencing.

[John Meara]

Re: How do I create a computer-to-computer network in Yosemite 10.2.2?

Here's a little something extra to be aware of on home networks and speeds: Apparently, the slowest WiFi connection on a home network, when that slow unit is in use, will slow all other connections on that home network to the same slowest speed (this is not relevant to Internet connection speed).

I recently had an Apple-authorised technician (ex-Genius Bar) refine my home network. On our TimeCapsule WiFi hub, he added the second 5GHz WiFi network, then configured selected units to run solely on that 5GHZ network (the Apple TV, Samsung TV, iPhone 6 and 5). We left the slower units on the original WiFi network, including my early version iPad where I run Reunion for iPad. I do some work on the iPad while I sit and watch TV etc.

I run Reunion 10 on my iMac, but our iMacs and printer are on Ethernet cable, so they are fast and irrelevant to WiFi speeds. (We get 110 Mbps download on our Internet cable connection!)

The logic is that while I am on the old iPad (so using the home network), I am not slowing the download to the TVs, etc. A caution though: if we want to view something from an App on our mobile units using the Apple TV, we need to send it from the units on the same (5GHz) home network; not from the iPad which is on the separate unit from the TVs. We have been really impressed with the new network set-up done by this technician.

[lrberbach]

Re: How do I create a computer-to-computer network in Yosemite 10.2.2?

The reason I asked you to attempt the sync without pictures was to determine if they are slowing down the upload. If they are, then there are other steps that we may be able to take to increase the upload speed.

I tested uploading my Reunion file from my MacBook Pro (OS 10.2.2) to my iPhone 6 (iOS 8.2) over a computer-to-computer network:
First upload: 2476 individuals, no pictures, 2 MB uploaded in less than 2 minutes.
Second upload: 2476 individuals, all 3728 pictures, 328 MB uploaded in 2 hours and 20 minutes.

[Mark]

Re: How do I create a computer-to-computer network in Yosemite 10.2.2?

Second upload: 2476 individuals, all 3728 pictures, 328 MB uploaded in 2 hours and 20 minutes.

Please try going to:

Reunion -> Preferences... , Multimedia Files

And clicking "Repair Media Locations...". Once the process finishes, close the Preferences window and try uploading the Family File to the iPad again (with all pictures) and see if it takes the same amount of time.

Thanks,

[lrberbach]

Re: How do I create a computer-to-computer network in Yosemite 10.2.2?

Please try going to:

Reunion -> Preferences... , Multimedia Files

And clicking "Repair Media Locations...". Once the process finishes, close the Preferences window and try uploading the Family File to the iPad again (with all pictures) and see if it takes the same amount of time.

I repaired the multimedia files and uploaded the family file again with all pictures. Unfortunately, it still took the same 2 ½ hours.

[Mark]

Re: How do I create a computer-to-computer network in Yosemite 10.2.2?

In that case it seems like the length of time the upload is taking is probably the result of how many photos you have, and how long it takes to process those photos for the iPad app and upload them.

If you'd like a faster upload time, I'd suggest selecting an option other that "All Pictures", e.g. just upload Preferred Pictures or the first 5 pictures for each person.

HTH

[lrberbach]

Re: How do I create a computer-to-computer network in Yosemite 10.2.2?

Thank you for your help with attempting to speed up my syncs! I will probably continue the time-intensive "all picture" syncs as I find it useful on many occasions. I don't wish to belabor my original point, but feel strongly that automatic syncs to all my devices (adding a textual fact or an image on my laptop and having it automatically show up on my iPhone and iPad) would be extremely beneficial and convenient. Being able to refer to my mobile Reunion at the most unexpected times is a wonderful thing! How disappointing when I unexpectedly want to show someone that I just found and...oops! I didn't take the 20 seconds (or two hours in my case) to set up a computer-to-computer network sync! Thanks once again for your great support!