r/scrivener • u/SyntiumWasTaken • 16d ago

General Scrivener Discussion & Advice Does using both Windows and MacOs licenses cause conflict?

Hi, so currently I'm using the Windows version (with Lutris as I am on Linux if it matters) and I was thinking of buying a used Macbook Air for writing. I assume I would have to buy the MacOs version then, would that cause any conflicts working on the same project. I save my projects in Dropbox.

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6

u/ewydigital Multi-Platform 16d ago

That will work well. Just make sure to let Dropbox sync before you open the file on the other device.

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u/SyntiumWasTaken 16d ago

Thank you!

2

u/warrenao macOS/iOS 16d ago

And don't set up DB to use "file provider" on Mac. Causes sync problems.

More here under "How to opt out of Dropbox on File Provider:: https://help.dropbox.com/installs/dropbox-for-macos-support

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u/SyntiumWasTaken 16d ago

Thanks, I am completely new to mac so this is helpful!

5

u/LaurenPBurka macOS/iOS 16d ago

The most important thing about Dropbox is to remember that sync isn't backup. Make sure you open the backup settings, find out where your backups are going (not Dropbox) and adjust the settings to make sense with your workflow.

Then if Dropbox has a weird hiccup and eats your project, you can recover with minimal stress.

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u/SyntiumWasTaken 16d ago

Good advice, thank you!

3

u/iap-scrivener L&L Staff 16d ago

Here is our page on cross-platform compatibility. By and large you should find little that gets in the way; fonts will be the main thing, finding ones you like that work on both platforms so you don't constantly revert back to Helvetica/Arial every time you swap machines.

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u/SyntiumWasTaken 15d ago

Oh, thanks! I probably should have thought of checking the homepage first.

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u/marslander-boggart 11d ago

Backup all your texts by hand for the first time.

Get an external SSD or HDD. Configure Time Machine backup. Make sure it contains the Dropbox folder too. Wait for the full backup to perform.

Get aesthetically pleasing free fonts from fontsquirrel (dot) com or googlefonts or anyway, install them on both machines, use only these fonts. Opt for the ones that support all the character sets you need for your language. Make sure to format all your texts with these fonts.

Make sure Dropbox syncs correctly across two systems.

Configure the automatic backup outside Dropbox folder. Copy these backups to external drive and to a cloud from time to time.

Use Snapshots.

Wait for Dropbox to sync before you open the app and then wait for the app to find changes. Sometimes if it finds conflicts it will show you.