What's the difference between Shared Networking and ChurchTrac 2009's Data Sharing Feature?

Before ChurchTrac 2009, the only effective way of sharing data between multiple computers was the Shared Networking method. The shared networking method allows multiple computers that are all connected to the same local area network to share a single data file (which is located in a shared folder on the network). One drawback to this method is that ChurchTrac performance experiences a slow down over the network, especially when multiple computers are using ChurchTrac at the same time. Another drawback to this method is that remote (or offsite) computers are not able to effectively share data with the other computers on the local network. Essentially, a computer must be connected to the local network to use ChurchTrac.

ChurchTrac 2009 introduces a new data sharing feature. This allows multiple computers to share the same data, even if they are not connected to the same local area network. The data sharing method effectively solves the problems with the shared network method mentioned above.

Using ChurchTrac 2009's Data Sharing Method Instead of Shared (Local) Networking
If you are currently using ChurchTrac on a shared local network (with one shared data file) you might find that ChurchTrac slows down, especially when two or more people are using ChurchTrac simultaneously. Alternatively, you can set up each computer on your local network using ChurchTrac 2009's data sharing method. The computers on the network will no longer need to share a single data file, which allows ChurchTrac to run and operate faster. The process works very similar to a shared network setup without the performance lag. Using ChurchTrac 2009's data sharing method has the added benefit of sharing data with remote (offsite) computers as well.

If your local area network has more than two or three computers, or if more than one or two computers will be using ChurchTrac simultaneously, it is recommended that you use the 2009 data sharing method to share data instead of the shared networking method.