Flexible File Synchronization?

lamour asks: "I have a Solaris desktop at work, a Linux desktop at home, and a Linux laptop. There are some files I want synchronized on all of them (think dot files), some that I just want synchronized to the laptop (think taking work home with you), and obviously lots that I don't want synchronized at all. Depending on what I'm working on, the files that I want synchronized may change (for security reasons, under no circumstances do I want any files on my laptop that don't need to be there, so ease of reconfiguration is key). I'd be willing to concede that the "changing" portions of the synchronization could probably be managed at a directory level. It occurs to me that the n-way, full synchronization, and the two-way, temporary synchronization could and maybe should be maintained by separate tools. I have some thoughts, but wanted some other input on this issue. Anyone know of any tools or hybrid of tools which would make this painless?"