Dropbox: A handy tool

Posted for V. K.

I am starting to be a big fan of Dropbox, a popular cloud-storage sharing service that is a great productivity tool when working with colleagues and clients in different locations, where you can synchronize different devices used by different people to share files.
 
Dropbox doesn't have to be limited to simply syncing your documents, photos, and music, however—with the proper setup you can completely synchronize your digital life across any PC.

You can add files and folders into a public folder and then provide unique URLs for specific files that enable anyone not connected to you in Dropbox to access those file. That’s a useful feature.
 
Dropbox also has a few key features, too. One of them is Peer to Peer sharing, which will allow users on the same network to share their files directly through their routers, without having to first upload them to Dropbox’s servers. The service’s web interface also just got a UI refresh, though many people simply use the folders that the Dropbox application integrates directly into your desktop.
 
Moreover, for iPhone users, Dropbox just released an iPhone app available in the App Store. The Dropbox App enables users to drop any file into a Dropbox folder that is then synced to the web and the users' other computers with the Dropbox client.
 
Have you heard or tried this service before? If not, just go and sign up for a Dropbox account at getdropbox.com. After installing that, you’ll be able to access your Dropbox folder, where you can throw in files to be hosted over the cloud, meaning you can access them from any computer also iPhone.

Comments

[Greg Chamopoulos]

Dropbox can be seen as a very handy tool for all people that use a computer. Why not have things backed up in a different place, especially if it is free. This could be very handy for people that are collaborating with multiple file types. The thing that is nice about something like dropbox, is that it can be accessed anywhere in the world that there is internet access. I feel that this is a great way for people to share data, and media with people in a way that is much easier than sending 5000 attachments in emails. Things of this nature will be used a lot more in the future with the growth of the Internet across the world.

[Roselyn Odulate]

I think this is a great tool, for students in school. not only for students in school but having to synchronize different devices make it very easy to get work done quicker. Also having to work with different distant students from different destinations it will be easy for student to pull resources together and achieve effectiveness while working on projects.

[Kyle Fishwick]

I think the real feature here would be a nice file sharing in the cloud and security would be a concern for me with regards to corporate information. I think if I wanted to share pictures and links and contact info or just fun info I may use this. I may go with Google Docs quicker just because its a bit more known, but I don't think I would use it. I just think this leads to a exchange of useless junk after a while.

I suppose its good for the sharing aspect but I agree with most security arguments. If you put it out to the cloud you get what you pay for. If it is the type of information you don't care is secure or not, then is it really that important? Maybe the video of your kids playing with their blocks doesn't need to be shared with quite as many people as you think it does?

[lana henderson]

I have used Dropbox for a few projects and really like it. It has the appeal of being resident on your desktop but also allowing access to others. It differs from Google Docs, in that it does not provide an environment for editing documents, it just uses your software for this. Also, you have to synchronize in order to upload and maintain current information. I have two versions for different projects I've worked on and the free space offered, allows more then enough space for school projects.

[Haidar AlMubarak]

I have used many online storage services some of them have more storage capacity, some of them allow you to do backups, but the thing I like about Dropbox is the synchronizing capability.

[Amanda Fick]

I use GMAIL, Google Docs, and Evernote to do all these tools. I think drop box is a great tool, but there are a lot of them out there. Box.net, ME (costs money), Google Docs, Google Groups, Evernote. I just worry about the privacy of these files and the fact that they maybe used in searches in the future?

[Munib R]

I think its a great tool, but the thing is that it might be most beneficial to students, while i don’t think this being adapted by business, but the synchronization is an important feature that is exciting and might just make me want to use the same product as well.

[Boodarkad, Pongsak]

I have never tried the drop box tool before. After i finished reading this article, the drop box tool is really similar to the Google docs. likewise, storing your datas in the cloud computing and sharing what you have done with your peers. I believe that there are many features that drop box has which are difference from the google doc. One example of a good feature of drop box would be, I can buy the iphone app from the app store which is super cool.I am going to register for it and try to use it.

[Ying C.]

It seems a great tool for students who work on the same projects together, but if I want to use it personally I don't know if I want to store all documents or data onto this program.
I think it is good for temporary usage and I really like its features. I don't know if it is safe to use it daily.
I used office zilla before and stored my documents on it. After two months, I lost my documents on them so I don't suggest to store any documents online.

[Cornel B.]

i have not heard of the drop box tool however i do plan on signing up for this tool later in my graduate studies. however i do not have a lot of files i need to transfer from pc to pc but this would have been an acceptable tool for me about 3-5 years ago when i was making the transition for 3.5 disks to usb drives on older computers i used

[Dr. T]

I've used Dropbox now for nearly a year (after several disasters with USB keys failing and losing all of my school files). It has been a wonderful solution. My husband has had a couple of compatibility problems with Excel files. I've now got nearly a year's worth of school documents up there and I'm not even close to maxing out my "free" space. I agree that I'm not certain of the corporate use here, but as a personal space (and simple sharing) it has been a life saver!

[Joe Steinkamp]

I do love Dropbox for personal use. It really is nice being able to synchronize your files from computer to computer. It's really nice now that you can access it on your iPhone too. If you use multiple computers and you want to be able to have certain files everywhere, Dropbox is a must.

[Joe Steinkamp]

I love Dropbox but I think it's pretty limited as a collaboration tool. I feel like the share option is more for just being able to access files remotely and not collaborate. I feel like it would be so much better to use other tools to work on projects together.

[Lauren J.]

Drop box seems like a useful tool and though I am very reluctant to share my computers contents with any web service provider this is an industry that's gaining momentum. I recently saw a commercial for a tool called "Go to my PC" which is similar but requires a monthly fee for service though it claims to be completely secure.

If you are interested in reading about it here's the link: https://www.gotomypc.com/tr/ggp/remote_computer_software-Broad/NAPPC/g25sem?Target=mm/g25sem.tmpl

[KTW]

Dropbox seems to be something like a music share (Limewire). Although the concept is great I would have to say letting a company access your files is a risky. What are the guarantees for securing your information? I think I will continue to utilize my backup storage units for file storage and when I need to share a file, then I will utilize other tools.

[Matt Fields]

This tools is similar to other tools that have recently came out. A similar tool that I prefer is one called Jungle Disk. The interesting this about this tool is that it utilizes the Amazon S3 storage cloud, which is highly scalable, secure, and cheap. It does not offer a free 2GB option like drop box and other but if you need something more than that, I would recommend Jungle Disk.

[James Kempski]

My concern with this is strickly based on security. Having a peer to peer file sharing would give too many people access to both my personal and professional files as I use 1 laptop for both.

I have not heard of this service and do not know if I will sign up for this service. This just seems like too much of a security issue and working for an IT network provider, we plan and prepare for the worse.

[Tarngrud Tripitak]

Dropbox is a great idea and extremely well implemented. The collaboration capabilities of dropbox are where it shines. Being able to share up to the minute changes with anyone who is a dropbox user around the world as long as all parties have an internet connection is truly invaluable. The only thing I dislike about Dropbox is there are no pricing plans between FREE (2GB) and $99 (50GB). However, it would be very nice if Dropbox had a progress bar and provided a full log of recently backed-up files.

[zahra]

It seems interesting tool and easy to use , I never use or heard about this tool before. So, I watched the video and search about it , I found it very good and easy tool to share your files and photos with other , and very useful tool for a group. I really like it and I think I will use it in future.

[Keith Townsend]

This has been one of the challenges I've tried to solve personally over the years. I've often had at least two computers. My desktop, laptop and work PC. Keeping files versions current has always been a challenge. What's even more challenging is from a corporate perspective.

You'd like to give employee's features like these but how do you protect corporate IP? If someone has all their data stored together with their personal data and giving access to vendors it becomes a security nightmare.