Ubuntu One not updating

My understanding of Ubuntu One is that I have a folder installed in my home directory called "Ubuntu One", and anything I put in that file gets synchronized with a corresponding folder on the web.

I have two computers, a desktop and a laptop. Both have Ubuntu One installed, and both are logged in under the same launchpad account. The desktop has full time internet access, the laptop is nearly always connected, except for the time when WiFi signals might drop out or not connect for whatever reason.

When I place some very small text files in the folder to test that it is working from one computer, the other computer does not see it, even after minutes of waiting, refreshing, and opening and closing the folder in Nautilus.

The only way I seem to be able to reliably see files in both computers is to use the web interface, which isn't quite as useful.

After a great deal of time, maybe days, it seems that eventually the files are visible on both computers, though I have not determined what is the minimum amount of time required.

My question is whether or not my expectations are off, somehow. Are the files expected to synchronize as soon as they are placed in the "Ubuntu One" folder? Am I supposed to have different accounts for different computers?

I have tried to find answers in the FAQs, but the impression I get is that it should just work as I thought without having any extra configuration.

Any advice on where I might be off-track, or if there is a flaw in my installation, would be much appreciated.