                 string.timestamp = 0
                 string.applied_patches = {}
 
-            # Apply unapplied patches in order.
-            if string.last_sync == '' and patches.length > squash_thresh
+            # Determine whether or not to squash the patches into a single patch.
+            if patches.length > squash_thresh
                 squash = true
                 squash_time = new Date() - 1.2*TIMESTAMP_OVERLAP
             else


            #@dbg("_process_updates", "squash=#{squash}; squash_time=#{squash_time}")

            i = 0
            for p in patches
                #@dbg("_process_updates","applying unapplied patch #{misc.to_json(p.patch)}")

        syncstring_db = new StringsDB(database)
        cb?()


exports.get_syncstring_db = () ->
    return syncstring_db
