Coping preference from one mac to another

[chittu]

As I am setting up a new iMac, I want to copy the preference from my Laptop to my iMac. Both the computers has the same path available for attachment folder and custom folder location. The only differences is the user name.

But when I copied the Bookends folder from ~/Library/Application Support to the new iMac, Bookends ends on error; "An error has occurred: error The path passed into new FolderItem was invalid"

Here is the Diagnostic information
http://pastebin.com/tzXPpm5z

[Jon]

You really shouldn't do that. The preferences contains some machine-specific information about file locations, and that's what's causing this problem for you.

Jon
Sonny Software

[Reinhard]

@chittu
That's the reason, why I store all my custom files (library, custom formats, etc.) in the Bookends folder in Documents.
When I update my library on my Mac pro, I just copy this folder to my Macbook and everything is synced
I never touch the Application-Support folder.
My personal changes of preferences of Bookends are set once on both Macs...and that's it.
By the way, I do not want to use the cloud sync, since I prefer to have all my files on MY local harddrives...thanks to Edward Snowden

[chittu]

@chittu
That's the reason, why I store all my custom files (library, custom formats, etc.) in the Bookends folder in Documents.

separate location is definitely a good suggestion, I see a Backup under ~/Documents, is that Bookends backup? I don't see an option to change the backup location?

I never touch the Application-Support folder.
My personal changes of preferences of Bookends are set once on both Macs...and that's it.

When I setup a new mac or upgrading to new OS (I always do complete wipe), I always prefer to copy the app preferences to the new mac or OS that will make my life easier as I don't need configure each app.

[Reinhard]

No the backup folder in the screenshot is not related to Bookends.
You are right, you cannot change the location of the backup folder in Bookends.
However, it might be a good thing to have the backup of your library in a different folder. Yet, you cannot change the standard location of a new library either. It would be great if Jon could add this feature to Bookends.
Currently, if you create a new library, you always have to choose the folder manually...otherwise it ends up in the Application Support folder.

Of course, just copying a settings file saves time, but it rarely works
For that purpose you would need an export/import settings feature...

[Jon]

[quote="Reinhard"Yet, you cannot change the standard location of a new library either.[/quote]

There is no standard location for a new library, just as there is no standard name. There are default suggestions, but these are easily changed. When you create a new library you're presented with a Save Dialog. In it you can change the suggested name (Library.bdb) and select any location on your HD (or on a mounted server) to which the library will be saved.

Jon
Sonny Software

[Reinhard]

Yes, I know...

I just thought that it would be nice to define standard folders not only for attachments and custom files, but also for libraries.

[Jon]

I disagree. More UI, more clutter, more bloat. Everyone knows how to use a Save dialog. And if they follow our recommendations, they only make a new library once.

Jon
Sonny Software

[Reinhard]

No problem...
One of the reasons, why I suggested to put all custom folders, the attachment folder AND the library in a Bookends folder in Documents, was that nobody would look for the Application-Support folder anymore...and wouldn't try to copy the whole folder to a new Mac.

Yet, I am happy with Bookends as it is and I am grateful that you implemented the "define location of custom folders" feature.