Helping people with computers... one answer at a time.
Dropbox is a utility that allows you to instantly share files between machines, and even with other users elsewhere on the internet. Up to 2GB is free.
I've been using Dropbox for a quite some time now and recently came across perhaps the most compelling reason to finally recommend it to you.
One of the common questions I get is "how do I share [files, photos, documents, whatever] with my [friends, business associates, contacts] without using email, and without having them show up on the public internet?
Dropbox solves that, and a lot more.
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Here's the basic idea: I create an account on Dropbox and install the Dropbox software on two machines - A and B. On each, I point the Dropbox software at a folder to keep synchronized between the two machines.
It does.
Fundamentally it's that simple.
Files I place in my Dropbox folder on machine A shortly appear on machine B's Dropbox folder. "Shortly" depends on the speed of your internet connection and the size of the file, but that's the fundamental operation: update a file on machine A, and Dropbox updates it on machine B. Add a file to B it shows up on A. Create a folder on A and the folder appears on B.
That, alone, is a very powerful concept if you have more than one machine. Imagine simply keeping your documents automatically copied between several machines.
Now, based on that simple concept, we start adding features:
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You don't need machine "B". Dropbox also makes the files you place in that folder accessible via your account on the Dropbox web site. It's a great way to backup, off-site, important documents.
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The machines need not be in the same place. Dropbox works across the internet, so if machine A and machine B are in two different places but connected to the internet, then Dropbox continues to keep the folder contents in sync.
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The machines need not be PCs. Of course there's a Mac version available, but more interesting is that there are versions for Linux as well as for iPhone, iPad, Android and Blackberry. One of the ways I use Dropbox is to keep podcasts (mp3 files) and reading material (pdfs) on a variety of machines I might choose to use - like my phone.
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They need not all be your machines. You can share folders within your Dropbox with other Dropbox users. Place a file in a shared folder, and only those users you give access to will have access to those files in their Dropbox.
It's that last item that brings me here. I found myself collaborating with individuals in an organization, and Dropbox turned out to be the perfect solution for the file sharing needed.
Dropbox is free for up to 2 gigabytes of storage. That's typically more than enough for sharing photos with family, documents with coworkers ... or mp3 files with your phone.
Additional storage is available for a subscription fee, should you need it.
Dropbox. I recommend it.
Article C4540 - November 10, 2010
Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he
was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed.
After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers
to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.
For DropBox, which I finally have added to most of my many machines, I recommend NOT working directly on documents in the DB folder. Rather, copy (not move) to another folder. Work from that copy. When you have completed work, copy (not move) back the new, edited, finished document to the DB folder, with the same name, thus overwriting the previous version. Or, if you want both versions, make sure you used a new file name or appended a version number to the name. I believe that this might solve the problem of files that get messed up because of multiple versions in the folder.
06-Dec-2011
An 'applicaton' that requires installation of it's software in order to see images at it's website -- WHEN NO OTHER PHOTO SHARING SITE DOES - has to be suspect.
Sorry, but I have enough "JUNK" on my computer as it is.
09-Dec-2011
I had not appreciated the ability to synchronise between remote computers using Dropbox which really is a most worthwhile feature.
I have been using Windows Live Mesh for this purpose and wonder if anyone has made a comparison between the two and would like to share their experience?
Posted by: Bill Chubb at February 28, 2012 9:39 AMhave been using dropbox for several years.
it is EXCELLENT.
it works well and is reliable
cAUTION to anyone posting some sensitive file they would not want others to see (financial, etc)
encrypt it first before putting into dropbox.
OR, use truecrypt vault.
NEW FEATURE -
auto-upload of camera pictures; plug camera into computer, and auto-play comes up, and an option exists there to automatically load files into dropbox; it loads the files locally and to the dropbox cloud.
GREAT for backup of files on a vacation, etc.
COMMON SENSE prevails with use of such a product regarding security, sensitivity of files, etc. BUT, the software and the company seem very reliable.
Posted by: nick at February 28, 2012 2:52 PMnick
ADrive.com gives you 50GB free storage.
Posted by: ulf at February 29, 2012 12:47 AMBox.com gives you 50GB free storage if you sign in before March 31, 2012 and it ties nicely to your mobile devices.