Synchronizing over a number of synchronization mechanisms using flexible rules

A first computer system in a network that includes the first computer system having a first data store and second computer system having a second data store, the first computer system comprising one or more computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions for implementing a method for synchronizing the first and second data stores in a flexible manner considering the circumstances that exist at the time of synchronization, wherein the method comprises:

• an act of the first computer system determining that a data item is to be synchronized;
• an act of the first computer system identifying which of a plurality of synchronization mechanisms, including one or more hardwired or wireless communication connections, are available to use for synchronization;
• an act of the first computer system consulting a set of one or more flexible selection rules to select a synchronization mechanism, the set of one or more flexible rules taking into consideration value, from having access to synchronized data, relative to at least one of (i) an economic cost for synchronization using each available synchronization mechanism, (ii) network security for each available synchronization mechanism, (iii) security of the second computer system, or (iv) value of data being synchronized and thereby selecting an available synchronization mechanism appropriate for the data item given the one or more flexible selection rules;
• and
• an act of the first computer system using the selected synchronization mechanism to synchronize the data item with the second computer.

A first computer system in a network that includes the first computer system having a first data store and second computer system having a second data store, the first computer system comprising one or more computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions for implementing a method for synchronizing the first and second data stores in a flexible manner considering the circumstances that exist at the time of synchronization, wherein the method comprises the following:

• an act of the first computer system determining whether to synchronize a data item by consulting a set of one or more flexible selection rules, the set of one or more flexible rules taking into consideration value, from having access to synchronized data, relative to at least one of (i) an economic cost for synchronization using each available synchronization mechanism, (ii) network security for each available synchronization mechanism, (iii) security of the second computer system, or (iv) value of data being synchronized, and thereby also determining an available synchronization mechanism appropriate for the data item given the one or more flexible selection rules;
• and
• an act of the first computer system synchronizing the data item with the second computer if the first computer system determines that the data item is to be synchronized based on the one or more flexible selection rules and each available synchronization mechanism, including one or more hardwired or wireless communication connections.