Dropbox software - I can't believe I didn't find this sooner!

**techdog** · 11-09-2010, 10:13 AM

It's been a long time since I've been excited about computer software. It may seem like a silly thing to be excited about, but I found a program called Dropbox that allows me to share files between multiple computers. It's perfect for those instances when you need to access the same file from multiple locations. I don't have to email myself the file every time I create a new version. Best of all...it's FREE!

You can even share folders between different users. For example, my wife and I co-manage our family budget within an excel file. We plan to keep the excel file in a shared folder so either of us can access it from any computer. Cool! (I'm a CPA, you have to understand I actually find that interesting.)

I know some of you may have heard of this software before since it's been out for about 2 years, but none of my friends or co-workers had heard of it.

Do any of you use Dropbox?
What's your favorite use of the software?
Are there any other programs like this?

Note to Mods: I am not affiliated with this company in any way. I wish someone had told me about this software sooner and wanted to inform others. I saw no existing thread about the software. If the referral link isn't allowed please delete that section of the post. Thanks!

**stobes21** · 11-09-2010, 01:12 PM

Yes, I've been using Dropbox for several months now. I like that the service syncs the document on your computer with one in the cloud so that a copy exists at all times on the computer itself. Thus, if I lose internet access for a period of time I can still access all of my documents. Then when I get internet back they will sync up again. A lot of other services that offer cloud-based document storage only store the document in the cloud, so no internet means no data.

Lifehacker regularly does articles on cool uses for dropbox, like how to set up automatic and/or remote printing with it. Check out some of their articles here.

**bradyarz** · 11-09-2010, 01:20 PM

sounds neat. my main concern is security. neat tips and tricks here. i may have to try this out.

**sol92258** · 11-09-2010, 01:33 PM

Dropbox is indeed awesome. I've had an account for well over a year, but haven't used it much until I got my Droid 2 last month

(same can be said for Evernote).

Not sure why we can't post the invites to help each other grow our DB storage, but I am absolutely positive it is a good reason

And like Luke says, keep an eye on Lifehacker.com, they constantly have DB information, tips and tricks posted. Or just do a search on LH for Dropbox.
And yes, I am guilty of going to Lifehacker and Gizmodo many times a day

**stobes21** · 11-09-2010, 01:34 PM

Originally Posted by bradyarz

sounds neat. my main concern is security. neat tips and tricks here. i may have to try this out.

Security is certainly a valid concern for any service to which you trust your documents. My understanding is that the dropbox software encrypts your data before uploading it, so any attack on their servers would result only in the culprits receiving worthless data. Now, they have to store the encryption key somewhere, and all encryption is breakable given enough time and computing power. So it certainly isn't a foolproof system.

You could encrypt the data yourself with something like Truecrypt before syncing it with dropbox for an extra level of security, but that would take away a great deal of the convenience of dropbox. Virtually all computing services have to balance security and convenience. I feel dropbox has found a good balance with their system, but it is certainly a concern.

The other thing for me is that before dropbox I primarily transferred documents between home and work either via email or on an unencrypted flash drive. Both of those are less secure than dropbox. This is both more convenient and more secure.

**media** · 11-09-2010, 06:23 PM

Put your photos in the public folder. Great for posting in the BST since its really easy.

**Pebcak** · 11-10-2010, 07:20 AM

I've been using it for some time, both on desktops and on my droid phone. There are many others options like dropbox out there and they all have good and bad features to them. I found one that is supposedly built quite secure but I'm too cheap to pay.

**chris456** · 11-10-2010, 09:43 AM

I use it.

Primarily I use it to transfer media files like ebooks or .cbr files

**Luc** · 11-10-2010, 12:19 PM

I will need to have a look at this one...

I currently use the Skydrive with Hotmail. I can mark my files public or private. I have a few things backup in there...

**verdict** · 11-10-2010, 08:38 PM

I downloaded DB a while ago but I dropped it because dropbox had to be downloaded on every computer you wanted to access files from.

I'm considering upgrading my Google account's storage though, it's only five dollars a year for 20gb, and it's usable between Gmail/Picasa/Google docs.

It's upgradeable up to 16 terabytes, though it's over $4000 a year

**stobes21** · 11-11-2010, 07:32 AM

Originally Posted by verdict

I downloaded DB a while ago but I dropped it because dropbox had to be downloaded on every computer you wanted to access files from.

I'm considering upgrading my Google account's storage though, it's only five dollars a year for 20gb, and it's usable between Gmail/Picasa/Google docs.

It's upgradeable up to 16 terabytes, though it's over $4000 a year

DB has a web portal too so you can access your files without downloading the app.