Simple local sync

[vnckppl]

Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.
Several feature requests are about automated syncing. Most request propose syncing with a server. Perhaps, we could use another way of syncing the openreads database that bypasses the necesity of a central server.

Describe the solution you'd like
We could use syncthing to sync the openreads database between devices. From the Syncthing website:

Syncthing is a continuous file synchronization program. It synchronizes files between two or more computers in real time, safely protected from prying eyes.

So, it does not require a central server, but syncs folders between two devices (P2P). Syncthing is available for Linux, Mac, Windows, and Android. I use it for example to sync my epubs. The reader I use (Book Reader) stores meta-data files next to the epub files for keeping track of progress. Syncthing syncs these meta-data files, allowing me to keep track of my reading progress on multiple devices.

I am not sure how the openreads (binary?) database is stored, but allowing to store the database in a user defined location would allow syncing of this database to multiple devices.

[MikaelaLovett]

Agreed! ✨ This would be amazing, I use this for multiple apps/files as well and it'd make so much sense, honestly!

[mateusz-bak]

That sounds useful, so the goal is to have the database or it's mirror in user storage so it's accessible by Syncthing?

[vnckppl]

Yes exactly. It would then of course also require that the database is read entirely during startup instead of using a cached version. This would be necessary to ensure that any newly synced changes are reflected in the program.

[lee-b]

Agree, syncthing support would be great. Especially if combined with #584 (desktop support).

[lscarso]

sync is really wellcome but what about using gdrive, iCloud or Onedrive as Db location? only concurrent access should be manage, the sync/cache/availability is managed by the OS

[meonkeys]

I run the Nextcloud app on my phone. It can be configured to sync particular folders. If openreads could write a .backup file periodically to a certain folder, the Nextcloud app could sync those. This would make for a pretty simple backup mechanism for people already using Nextcloud (or other similar mobile file sync tools).