“sync locally” is confusing when adding local client-side folders

[Julien Funk]

When I am referring to a folder that I want synced to the cloud from my local client it is confusing to refer to it as 'sync locally' since the data is going from the local computer to the cloud. Sync locally suggests the data is flowing in the other direction.

[Chase Livingston (chaselivingston)]

I think that can also apply to a folder in the cloud that you want to sync to your machine though.

Chase Livingston
@ChaseLivingston
T: [phone]
Sent from my iPhone

On Aug 23, 2012, at 5:39 PM, Julien Funk <email address hidden> wrote:

> Public bug reported:
>
> When I am referring to a folder that I want synced to the cloud from my
> local client it is confusing to refer to it as 'sync locally' since the
> data is going from the local computer to the cloud. Sync locally
> suggests the data is flowing in the other direction.
>
> ** Affects: ubuntuone-control-panel
> Importance: Undecided
> Status: New
>
>
> ** Tags: desktop+ u1-darwin
>
> --
> You received this bug notification because you are subscribed to Ubuntu
> One.
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/1040888
>
> Title:
> “sync locally” is confusing when adding local client-side folders
>
> Status in Ubuntu One Control Panel:
> New
>
> Bug description:
> When I am referring to a folder that I want synced to the cloud from
> my local client it is confusing to refer to it as 'sync locally' since
> the data is going from the local computer to the cloud. Sync locally
> suggests the data is flowing in the other direction.
>
> To manage notifications about this bug go to:
> https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntuone-control-panel/+bug/1040888/+subscriptions

[Chase Livingston (chaselivingston)]

I think that can also apply to a folder in the cloud that you want to sync to your machine though.

[Julien Funk (jaboing)]

Chase, yes I agree - in fact that is the time where it applies correctly - this is only confusing when you are adding the folder to the cloud from your local machine.

[Lisette Slegers (lisette-slegers)]

I agree it could be very confusing if a user had to check the box when he selects a new local folder to be synced 'up', but in that step, the box is checked automatically, so a user is not confronted with the terminology there. Once a folder is in the cloud (even if it originated locally), it feels less confusing.

It is difficult to find an alternative for 'Sync with this computer', because that is exactly what the checkbox does. Perhaps wording like 'Keep in sync with this computer' would be less confusing, but it probably won't fit.