Sharing Basecamp Data

We definitely have this on our radar. It will probably not make it into the next feature release (we are pretty swamped for 3.3 already), but it's definitely something I'd like to make happen rather sooner than later.

Have you shared that script somewhere? It might be handy for other users as well who would like to switch databases.

I am aware that is not nearly as comfortable as having support for this in BaseCamp, but at least it's an option.

My script is specific to my mapping locations - but here is an easy way to switch databases - you must be comfortable with windows explorer and renaming directories:

- open windows explorer, go to your app data folder (something like c:\users\(your name)\appdata
- go to the the roaming\garmin folder

- you will see a "basecamp" folder - this, and all files/folders underneath is the basecamp database
- I simply make a copy of it and rename it - like "basecamp - Arizona" or "basecamp - Maine"
- then when I want to use a specific database I rename it back to "basecamp" and use it.
- if you dont have a directory called "basecamp", and you open basecamp, it will create a new blank database.

This does not really help with colaboration, but does make having multiple databases easier.

This question falls under the same general question, but probably outside the scope of where this thread has gone. So if I don't get an answer here, I'll start a new thread.

I would like to share my database with another user. We both have an Oregon 450T. I know I can connect wirelessly when we're together, but we live 3 hours apart. I use Basecamp. Her Oregon is still in the box, but she is a Mac user and I am a Windows user. Can I export my stuff, email it to her and have her load it into Mac Basecamp or are the 2 databases incompatible?

If you export as gdb or gpx you can share waypoints, tracks and routes easily.

Sharing other data (the list structure, geotagged photos, birdseye, custom maps) is not quite as straight-forward. We are looking into providing a better solution for this in a future release.

To the point of being able to specify the location of the database anywhere on the file system, I've recently learned of a free app for Windows, Mac and mobile called Dropbox. Ironically, I learned about it from another application that allows you to specify the location of their database, and it even has some buttons to help you set up Dropbox - though its really quite simple.

You get 2GB of free space, but can buy more. It allows you to designate a folder on your machine, and it automatically syncs its contents across machines, and onto a private website. You can also "share" subfolders with friends, or the public at large.

I've been playing with it now for a few days and its pretty neat. Think of it as sort of a virtual/automatic thumbdrive. It would be pretty cool if I could get my basecamp DB (and google earth DB) on there so that my home machine, laptop and netbook can all keep in sync. And folks like KWELLER could use it to share/collaborate the basecamp DB with others, even those outside his own LAN.

If you want to check it out, you can use the link below as a referrel and you and I both will get an extra 250 MB of storage.

http://db.tt/Ju3uQMCU

or just go to dropbox.com

That's a pretty sneaky way to get more space on Dropbox. ;)

I use it myself, and yes, being able to store BaseCamp's data there would allow users to access the same database on different computers.

We would like to add this functionality, I added a case for this a while ago. I am just no sure when we will get around to doing it.

That's a pretty sneaky way to get more space on Dropbox. ;)

BUSTED! :eek:

Glad to know y'all are seriously considering it.

It would be pretty cool if I could get my basecamp DB (and google earth DB) on there so that my home machine, laptop and netbook can all keep in sync.

I have done this successfully. Just move your BaseCamp directory to a folder set up in dropbox and run the mklink command from an elevated command prompt that will point your computers to it. Run the same command on your other computer that you are wanting to sync with and delete the BaseCamp folder from its original location on the second machine. Both machines will now point to the same dropbox folder for running BaseCamp. Warning: Only have BaseCamp running on one machine at a time.

Here is what my mklink command line looked like to use as a go by example.

mklink /d "C:\Program Files (x86)\Garmin\BaseCamp" "D:\Lance\Dropbox\Personal\BaseCamp"

I have done this successfully. Just move your BaseCamp directory to a folder set up in dropbox and run the mklink command from an elevated command prompt that will point your computers to it. Run the same command on your other computer that you are wanting to sync with and delete the BaseCamp folder from its original location on the second machine. Both machines will now point to the same dropbox folder for running BaseCamp. Warning: Only have BaseCamp running on one machine at a time.

Here is what my mklink command line looked like to use as a go by example.

mklink /d "C:\Program Files (x86)\Garmin\BaseCamp" "D:\Lance\Dropbox\Personal\BaseCamp"

I've been meaning to ask more about this....
The result will be that the binary (exe's, dll's, etc) will be on dropbox.
Does that cause a problem when you run a 32bit and 64bit machine from dropbox?

Also, dropbox is a local store, with a sync tool, so technically if basecamp is running in both machines, you don't have the file modified by two basecamps, but by one basecamp and one dropbox sync. Is that still a problem? I suppose one could turn syncing off and then on, thus manually syncing only when it is safe (i.e. only one or no copies of basecamp running).

And lastly, does that trick also make maps installed on one machine available on the other?

I've been meaning to ask more about this....
The result will be that the binary (exe's, dll's, etc) will be on dropbox.
Does that cause a problem when you run a 32bit and 64bit machine from dropbox?

I am not sure about that. Both of my machines are 64 bit.

Also, dropbox is a local store, with a sync tool, so technically if basecamp is running in both machines, you don't have the file modified by two basecamps, but by one basecamp and one dropbox sync. Is that still a problem? I suppose one could turn syncing off and then on, thus manually syncing only when it is safe (i.e. only one or no copies of basecamp running).

It has not been a problem for me. I never run basecamp on both machines at the same time. I am either on one or the other. After closing out Basecamp on one machine it syncs changes and when I open Basecamp on the other machine all of the waypoints, routes etc are there.


And lastly, does that trick also make maps installed on one machine available on the other?

No the maps are installed on each local machine. I have them installed on both machines.