You can download the newest version of the desktop sync client (the program that you install on your computer to keep your files in sync with the MacDrive servers) from https://www.seafile.com/en/download/

Yes, it absolutely does. We test every new upgrade on both Mac OS and Windows, along with the most popular distributions of Linux.

No, you do not need to use the VPN to log in to MacDrive, even if you are off campus.

If you are logging in with a MacID, your password is your MacID password – the same one as you use for Mosaic and WiFi and email. If you are logging in with a non-McMaster email address, please go to our Contact Us page, select which method is best for you, and request a password reset.

Absolutely! You can use the desktop client (a program that you download on your computer) to sync files with your computer. You can also use it to keep your files synced between multiple computers, so you can have the same “Desktop” or “Document” files on every computer you use. See the help documentation for more details on how to do that.

It is kept for 120 days.

MacDrive content can be shared with individual MacDrive users or Groups of MacDrive users using built-in sharing permissions. Files and folders can also be shared with external collaborators using sharing links. Depending on the sharing method used, recipients may not require a MacDrive account.

Passwords are not required when sharing libraries or folders directly with other MacDrive users through MacDrive’s built-in sharing features. When sharing files or folders with external collaborators, use the available security settings appropriate to the sensitivity of the information and follow McMaster requirements for sensitive, confidential, or restricted information.

Yes, if you allow them to. MacDrive has the ability to create upload links to individual folders in your Library. You can then send the link to individuals who can use their browser to put files into your MacDrive folder. Password protection can be enabled for the upload links you create, and the individuals using the link will not be able to see or download any of the other files you may have in that folder. Note – You can not create upload links to folders within encrypted libraries.

MacDrive provides 300GB of storage space for each user.

No. Libraries and folders that are shared to a user or group do not affect their storage space.

MacDrive provides an encryption feature, allowing users to lock any library behind a password. The password is not stored on the server, meaning it is extremely important to keep safe as not even the system admin will be able to help recover encrypted files if the password is lost. Libraries cannot be encrypted after they have been created, it is only possible to set this when you are creating it for the first time.

No. An administrator does not have the ability to look into any users’ libraries or files.

When using the synchronization client to work collaboratively the system will indicate that a given file is currently open by placing a small red mark on the local file icon. In addition, if you open the file you will notice it is in “read only” mode. This prevents users from altering files independently then over-writing different versions.

Access to MacDrive is tied to your McMaster affiliation. Before leaving the University, review and transfer any files that must be retained and ensure that ownership and sharing permissions are updated for content that others will still need. Account access and stored content will be managed according to applicable McMaster requirements and processes.

The recommended and easiest method is to have your files downloaded to a directory on your local disk and then create a new library on MacDrive pointing to the directory that the files were downloaded to. You are responsible for organizing and sharing your data.

MacDrive is not a backup solution. It is primarily a file storage, synchronization and collaboration service. MacDrive’s infrastructure includes redundancy to reduce the risk of data loss resulting from a single point of failure. However, redundancy and file synchronization are not substitutes for a dedicated backup solution.

MacDrive also maintains four months of file history, which may allow users to restore deleted files or earlier versions. Depending on the importance of your data and applicable data-management requirements, you may need a separate backup solution.

Press the circle icon represented by two arrows to manually resync your data.

Yes, deleted files can be restored using the history icon for each folder.

This is from not entering the S in the server address – https://macdrive.mcmaster.ca

The web browser has stopped the upload. You will need to refresh your library and reupload files that were not completed.

Deletions can be restored in the web interface by first clicking on the “More” button at the top-right of the MacDrive “My Libraries” page. The drop-down will offer and option to see “Deleted Libraries”.  Locate the deleted library and select the restore option. Note: deleted libraries will be removed after 30 days.

If you have not refreshed your browser in a while and there were changes made to libraries or folders that involved your permissions, refresh your page and it should correct itself.