Using a Database on a Second Computer

Your Ibidem database can be copied to another computer or to Dropbox or another cloud storage service. If you are migrating to a new computer and will not continue to use the database on the first computer, you can merely transfer the database to the second computer. If you plan to use the database on both computers, you can either (a) copy the database to a location that can be accessed by both computers (e.g. Dropbox or a location accessible via a network), or (b) copy your database to the second computer and manually update the databases if/when records are added. If you are using cloud storage to access your files and databases from more than one location, please see Cloud Storage.

To use your database on a second computer, you must first install Nota Bene. Your single-user license allows you to install on more than one computer for your own use, but it does not allow you to install on your assistant's computer. Please contact Nota Bene if you need to purchase a second license. Reduced prices for use by an assistant may be available.

To transfer your database to a second computer, simply create a backup of the database on the first computer and then restore from that backup on the second computer. See Backup Ibidem.

If you have transferred your database to a second computer, you have two different copies of the same database. Any changes made to one will not automatically be made to the other. If you add records to the copy on computer A, you must copy the database files from computer A to computer B before you make any changes to the database on computer B. If you are regularly copying updated versions of a database from computer A to computer B, you do not need to copy all of the files each time (though it may well be just as easy to do so). Copying only those database files that have changed since the last time you took a copy of the database from computer A would be sufficient. Save the new files on computer B, overwriting the old versions of the same files, and the database on computer B will be updated.

The need to regularly transfer database files from one computer to another can be eliminated by copying your database to one location that can be accessed by either computer. A home network or a cloud storage service can be used for this purpose. If you are accessing the same database from two different computers, you can add a new record from either computer. If you encounter any problems with accessing records, you may need to Rebuild Index Files. You can do this by clicking the Rebuild Indexes button at the bottom of the Control Nexus.