First of all, if you are not already using Dropbox, go get it here.
It’s one of the best free backup and PC synchronizing services on the net. It’s simple and it works.
How it works:
Dropbox offers you free 2GB space online that you can use to backup your files. In order to simplify your backup activities, they provide a client software which you can install on your PC. This software creates a “My Dropbox” folder in your PC (you can specify the location). After it’s done, you just drop all the files and folders into your “My Dropbox” folder and that’s it.
After that, your job is done, the software will now start to automatically upload all the files to your online 2GB account. And every time there is a change in your “My Dropbox” folder, it will automatically synch it with your online account.
Additionally you can install the software on more than one PC (at work, at office) and it will keep all of them in synch. No more file transfers through pen drives from office to work!
The small issue:
I am a long time user of dropbox and one thing I would like to see changed in the service is the small improvement in their software. Currently the software creates one folder (My Dropbox) in your PC and only backs up things inside this particular folder. Any other folder or files outside this folder cannot be backed up unless you put them inside your “My Dropbox” folder.
As you can see this causes a little discomfort, because you always have to copy files into your “My Dropbox” everytime you want to backup something in your PC. This somehow goes against what dropbox is trying to do actually – which is to help you to automatically backup/synch your files. But everytime you copy that file into your dropbox folder, it’s already considered manual i.e not automatic.
There are times when you cannot just cut and paste all the folders into your dropbox folder. Some application folders, if you are running local server “localhost” and want to back up all your projects in your localhost etc. it would mean that you have to keep two copies of these files; one in original folder, and another in your dropbox folder. Which is not really practical in terms of both; automation and redundancy.
Suggestion:
The above issue could easily be solved by doing some changes to the software. Here is a simplified version that I designed to explain my suggestion:
Basically, you would add any folder to your Dropbox application, but instead of copying all the folders into your “My Dropbox” folder (I don’t think you would need such folder if they introduce this feature), the software would just copy the contents of these folders to your online account. That means everytime you add new folder, it would just map to that folder’s location and synch the contents with your online account.
I am not sure whether it is difficult to do in the back-end, but if they introduce this improvement to their service, I am sure many users will be delighted, I know I would.
Website: https://www.getdropbox.com
Hey! This is actually something we’re working on doing. I can’t give you an ETA on it, but it’s coming :)
This looks lik a cracking piece of kit. I am sick of backing up my files to a USB drive. I need easy access at all times and this looks like the software to use!
Thanks for the link to this great tool. This should be an excellent tool when I buy a new computer. I will be able to easily transfer my files with no hassle. Thanks again.
Get around for that limitation:
http://lifehacker.com/5154698/sync-files-and-folders-outside-your-my-dropbox-folder
I had a yahoo toolbar that quit showing listings so I switched to a google toolbar thinking that would fix it but it didn’t.
Never heard about this tool, thanks for sharing
i glad to know about dropbox. Thanks for this software.
Drea, it’s good to know that you will be working on the idea. Thanks for the reply.
Nice service. I think I will use it since my hard disk is beginning to break down, and I don’t want to loose my precious data.
This looks quite good, especially if your suggested changes are made. But 2GB isn’t very much these days. I guess it’s enough for the most essential files. For other online storage I use google docs.
2GB is not much but it’s enough to backup your important files. If you need more space you can upgrade your account to pro. Pro accounts come in 50GB and 100GB.
Nice web service, and can use it especially for those non-confidential file backup :D
its this dropbox for free?
Dropbox sounds like a good service, but I have to be honest in saying that I’m reluctant to farm my data out to third parties, and 2GB just won’t cut it for me either. I see that they do offer pro accounts (at a premium, of course!) to overcome the 2GB barrier though.
It does sound great! I have to study this in details and thenafter i can think about it.
Dropbox if it is free than it’s very useful for me.
@3Q, yes you are right, data confidentiality can be an issue for many users. but for other files that are not so confidential it’s a great service.
never try dropbox yet. But i will try.
I’ve been using DropBox for six months. Like you said, it’s is awesome software. I agree with your suggestion that it would be nice to select folders to be backed up rather than requiring all such folders to be in one the “My Dropbox” folder. Great suggestion.
cool. I should try this great software. huh!
wahh..different. I like it.
I have never heard of dropbox before. Having said that I do feel that they got a good looking service going, and are bound to be successful. Thank you for sharing dropbox with us, Ades.
Is it any better than Mozy? I swear by Mozy but the 1gb limit is a bit too little.
You know when you start typing in a search box and suggestions drop down? well what are they called?
Hey Ades,
This is really a amazing tool, I have a lot of designing work to do as mainstream an also as some research, and I am always in a constant need to back up my work.
This tool will surely do help me with this. Thanks for introducing it. I am on the way to download.