Keeping shell configurations in sync across multiple machines

Question

I'm a pretty active command line user and I have shell accounts all over the place. MacBooks, Linux desktop machines, Linux servers, Cygwin on XP, you name it.

How can I keep my shell configuration (.bashrc, .vimrc etc.) in sync across all these machines using the limited tools available across all platforms?

I have been using rsync in a pretty limited manner that involves manually copying some files over when I need them, but I want a standard way for setting up the same basic shell environment across all my machines. Tell me your shell account management strategy.

Answer 1

I've used version control for this in the past (svn, mercurial, etc...). You can set up your own server, or use a hosted one. Dropbox also works.

Answer 2

If you have access to source control, I'd just check them in. This way you get to sync them across multiple machines and you can compare/roll-back if need be. If you don't have CVS/SVN at work there are free options available.