Dropbox, anyone have an opinion on it?

**aru** · 2012-02-01 16:19

I'm looking to start backing up some personal, school and work-related (resume & portfolio) files off-site. Dropbox.com seems to fit what I'm looking to do, but maybe someone here has had bad experiences or can recommend another service that might be better. Is there any threat that they'll share a similar fate as MegaUpload or is there maybe some reason storing personal data (like tax documents) there would be risky?

**Mafai** · 2012-02-01 16:22

Originally Posted by aru

I'm looking to start backing up some personal, school and work-related (resume & portfolio) files off-site. Dropbox.com seems to fit what I'm looking to do, but maybe someone here has had bad experiences or can recommend another service that might be better. Is there any threat that they'll share a similar fate as MegaUpload or is there maybe some reason storing personal data (like tax documents) there would be risky?

There's always a potential risk when something is stored on the internet. Hackers or the site getting shut down are both issues to consider.

**Talint** · 2012-02-01 16:23

Love Dropbox. It's utterly invaluable if you do work on two difference machines (one at work/laptop, one at home/desktop). Install your account on both, and it's as simple as drag-n-drop to a folder.

**tyven** · 2012-02-01 16:32

i love dropbox as well. never had an issue. not a ton of free space but more than ive ever needed.

**octopus** · 2012-02-01 16:41

same here. love dropbox.

**vadre** · 2012-02-01 16:46

Dropbox is great! I'm using it right now being as I have an assload of group work at uni going on. So convenient, even the computer illiterate (you wouldn't think there would be in the 21-22 yo bracket but alas) I've been faced with havent had issues if i invite them via email.

You also get additional space if people you invite install DB.

Love it.

**aru** · 2012-02-01 17:00

Originally Posted by tyven

i love dropbox as well. never had an issue. not a ton of free space but more than ive ever needed.

If I end up needing more than 2GBs could I create a second (or more) account or does the software they have me install prevent something like that from being possible?

**hey** · 2012-02-01 17:13

Originally Posted by aru

If I end up needing more than 2GBs could I create a second (or more) account or does the software they have me install prevent something like that from being possible?

You can access your account from the web, so multiple accounts work fine, if you don't mind not being able to automagically sync them.

**octopus** · 2012-02-01 17:23

If you want to back up more than 2GBs I may want to suggest using some real online back up solutions:
crash plan: http://www.crashplan.com
carbonite: http://www.carbonite.com
mozy: http://www.mozy.com

**Pru** · 2012-02-01 18:05

If it is purely document storage/back-up you want, Microsoft’s SkyDrive has 25GB of space, is browser based and free. You can also create/edit word documents, excel sheets and powerpoint presentations in the browser with the same functionality as the desktop software.

However, you will need a Windows Live ID, there is no document syncing and the individual file size upload limit is 100MB (Dropbox’s browser upload limit is 300MB per file).

I tend to use Dropbox for stuff I will need/want to edit in the not to distant future and SkyDrive for images/photos I need to share with people at work due to its larger storage space and the way the app links to the iphone camera.

**Thoronas** · 2012-02-01 18:59

Also a big fan of dropbox. I ended up upgrading to the 50 gig account since I used it so much in my professional life.

**Stromgarde** · 2012-02-02 18:02

Best thing since sliced bread. No matter whether I'm using my laptop, desktop, or a computer in the school's labs, my documents are always available without the need to fuss with a thumb drive.

**feary** · 2012-02-03 08:06

i love dropbox. it serves my needs for all my documents. Before that i used synctoy to automate my backups all my other files to my server. now i have both synctoy and dropbox folder without worry i can schedule backups and uploads. i also used .bat files. i used it mainly for all my ffxi .xml and macros. now i have my personal data like resumes and photos. it has an free iphone app so i can use it to upload/download and view files/pics. you can custom which folder sync where.

if you need bigger space skydrive is another option. dropbox also gives more space for inviting ppl to use it. i think its 250 mb per person and up to 8.

synctoy
http://www.microsoft.com/download/en....aspx?id=15155

dropbox
http://db.tt/PwsQ5Dj

**Timwakefield** · 2012-02-03 09:30

Like someone said, there will always be a risk, but as someone who spends time in three different locations weekly, plus home plus school, DropBox is an amazing tool. Literally changed my life and the way I do work. Also I haven't touched a USB flash drive in like 6 months which pleases me to no end.

**octopus** · 2012-02-03 10:55

I don't think it has been made clear, but:

1. You can sync to multiple devices
2. It's a sync of your disk drive, so if they get taken down like megaupload, you still have your local storage.
3. You're only out of luck if your disk dies at the same time as dropbox is down, which is pretty unlikely.

**octopus** · 2012-02-03 12:30

heyyyyy

http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/03/d...gb-free-space/

**Xanthe** · 2012-02-03 14:59

Originally Posted by octopus

heyyyyy

http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/03/d...gb-free-space/

I'm currently taking advantage of this offer. Engadget got the specifics slightly wrong. You get 500 MB for installing the beta and auto-uploading one photo. You'll get another 500 MB for every 500 MB you auto-upload up to the stated 5 GB. It's incredibly easy to hit that cap if you have 5 GB of photos laying around. Just drop them in your Android phone's camera directory and let the uploading commence; you can delete them from your phone/dropbox afterward if you want to. Best be doing it on wi-fi though.

**Radec** · 2012-02-03 15:20

open command window
fsutil file createnew C:\500mb.jpg 524288000

instant blank 500MB jpg to try, can autoplay it off a usb stick and upload there.

In process of uploading now, will report back if it works (No reason to assume it won't, rename to 500mb1.jpg and repeat as needed)

Edit: Worked when I ran the fsutil line a couple different times with filesize+1 (A.jpg 524288001, B.jpg 524288002), didn't work when I just made copies of the file.

Side note, disable all your other dropbox devices until done(unless actually using real pictures/video you want to back up), laptop was downloading as I was uploading.

Added bonus: Because the file is literally 52428800_ "0"'s in a row, it uploads instantly. I tried first with a real file and it took a few hours (fuckyeah, canadian internet)

**Lucki** · 2012-02-03 17:02

I read that article differently. Upload any pic or video and get 500MB, regardless of the file's size.

I could be wrong though.

**Talint** · 2012-02-03 20:03

During this beta period, we are also offering additional free space to test automatic uploading of photos and videos. For every 500MB of photos and videos automatically uploaded, you'll receive another 500MB space bonus, up to 4.5GB total. [Update: To clarify, you can get up to 5GB of free space with this feature, if you count the initial 500MB space for the first photo import].

http://forums.dropbox.com/topic.php?id=52900

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