How to push data from server to all clients not using Collections?

Question

I need to inform clients about changes on server side. In my case I am using different Collections on server and on client (more about it in this question: how would you build p

Answer 1

To accomplish what you want you do need another collection - on the client. On the server, in a publish function, build a document from scratch assigning the current count of Products to an attribute. Using observe() and set, modify count when documents are added or removed from Products. Subscribe to the count "record set" on the client.

// Server
Meteor.publish('count', function () {
    // Build a document from scratch
    var self = this;
    var uuid = Meteor.uuid();
    var count = Products.find().count();
    // Assign initial Products count to document attribute
    self.set('count', uuid, {count: count});

    // Observe Products for additions and removals
    var handle = Products.find().observe({
        added: function (doc, idx) {
            count++;
            self.set('counts', uuid, {count: count});
            self.flush();
        },
        removed: function (doc, idx) {
            count--;
            self.set('counts', uuid, {count: count});
            self.flush();
        }
    });
    self.complete();
    self.flush();
    self.onStop(function () {
        handle.stop();
    });
});

// Client
Counts = new Meteor.Collection('count');
Meteor.subscribe('count');
console.log('Count: ' + Counts.findOne().count);