Sync files from a mac to a flash drive - automatically?

Question

I have a flash drive, let's name it FLASH.

I want, when on my mac, when FLASH is plugged (and automatically mounted), execute a specific script and make ~/Documents to be automatically copied to /Volumes/FLASH/Documents (mac mounts drives at /Volumes).

This same drive, FLASH, (with this new Documents folder added before with the mac situation), when plugged in an Ubuntu machine, I want it to automatically copy FLASH/Documents to ~/Documents (or automatically execute an script, after mounting).

How should I do this in these different scenarios? I don't want to use third party applications for this, I prefer using core/builtin tools available in both platforms.

score 1 · Answer 1 · edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:37

1

On the Mac, use Do Something When, a free software which triggers actions when you mount/unmount a drive.

On the Linux side, udev can run an external program when a disk is inserted (see e.g. How to be notified when a USB device was plugged in?).

edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:37

Community

1

answered May 13 '11 at 20:53

Hai Vu

1,201

I've update my question, I don't want to use third party applications. Thanks for the answer though. – Somebody still uses you MS-DOS May 13 '11 at 22:15

score 1 · Accepted Answer · edited Jun 11 '20 at 12:04

1

Use a launchd item using the StartOnMount key!

# example launchd plist file using StartOnMount key
open -e /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.backupd-attach.plist

Further information:

The macosxhints Forums: launchD StartOnMount help
MacEnterprise: Snow Leopard, launchd, and Lunch

(Recipe 7: Run a script when a volume is mounted)

edited Jun 11 '20 at 12:04

Community

1

answered Nov 03 '11 at 09:55

jon

26
1

This is great @jon. Welcome to StackExchange network. :) – Somebody still uses you MS-DOS Nov 04 '11 at 12:52

Sync files from a mac to a flash drive - automatically?

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