Dropbox works in China, I'm actually impressed. Because so many of these cloud storage services seem to be United States only.
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Just got on the Dropbox band wagon
- Thread starter randomhero180
- Start date
Bob Maxey
Android Expert
You should spend a few hours looking at web services, programs and addons designed specifically for Dropbox. There are hundreds of cool things out there.
More things arrive each week. I know this because I am writing a book about Dropbox and trust me, cloud storage is one of the last things I discuss. For me, cloud storage is a very minor part of Dropbox. Think of Dropbox as a conduit that connects every mobile device you own and you can use one device to control all Dropbox enabled devices.
When I record a voice memo, I do not save it. It goes immediately to my Dropbox. Same thing with the notes I write. No saving is required.
Then, take a look at Belvedere (for Windows) which can watch specific folders and follow rules you setup. Also, look at your favorite program for ideas as well. If a program can watch certain folders, it can be used by Dropbox.
I use it so much, I opted for Dropbox For Teams, so I now have a terabyte of storage I will likely never use.
I use Belvedere on my old desktop to handle the files I upload to my Dropbox. Belvedere watches a specific set of folders and whatever I upload to those Dropbox folders is changed, moved, copied, filed or emailed. I can even shut down my desktop server remotely with scripts dropped into a Dropbox folder.
And using other programs to turn on my PC, I will always have access. Especially since I run Dropbox as a Windows Service; it is ready before my desktop loads and even if the power fails, I know I will always have access
I find "Dropbox Automator" to be handy because it will do hundreds of different tings to the files you upload to a folder in your Dropbox. For example, copy a large picture, move the original to somewhere else, resize the copy and email it to someone with an attachment from somewhere else. The program looks for a file name, so only that specific picture will be changed.
There are free programs out there that let you create complex scripts or use those created by others to do some very complex things as well. Take a look at this: https://ifttt.com/dropbox
Did you know if you share files stored in your Dropbox, you can kick out members? This means if you want to remove the files from their system, Dropbox will help you do it. The files will be immediately removed from their drives when they sync. Assuming they have not moved the files; Dropbox is not a hacker tool, after all.
Although there was a time when you could upload a certain kind of modified file to your Dropbox to fool DB into fetching a different file. For example, if DB thinks "The White Album" is stored in your DB, you can DL the album because DB only stores one copy of a file. that is, if 1,256 people store The White Album in their folders, DB only actually stores one file on their servers, not 1,256 copies. Did you know that? So, you upload a file DB thinks is the album and when you DL it, the DL comes from some other DB user.
Look at TrueCrypt which you can use to encrypt sensitive data using a password alone or a fine from your computer, even a movie, picture or text file can be used as part of your encryption. Just do not forget your password or the file you decide to use as part of your protection scheme or kiss your encrypted files good bye. The picture cannot be changed in any way. It can even be a standard Windows .DLL or help file.
TC has been cracked so security is not necessarily absolute but it is good enough for most people.
A little research will reveal a vast assortment of tricky tricks and cooly cool and outrageously outrageous things you can do using addons for Dropbox.
Perhaps I should start a "Dropbox Cool Tricks" thread for non-political, non-partisan (no Apple or Google or Microsoft or BB sucks tangents) thread?
Yup indeed. Works quite well, too.
It's very nice. I'm pretty close to 3Gb I think... I haven't checked in a while. I use it to backup school files and other nonsense that I need.
And I've got a Dropbox story for you guys:
I needed a file for a school project, in class. I needed the source for a security program, which was blocked by my school's DNS (malicious files)... well, I hopped on my phone, downloaded it, and pushed it to my Dropbox account. Once the file was happily in the cloud, I was able to download it through that.
Good idea. I do the same thing for client files (when I can) so they are always available.
Dropbox works great for project collaboration and you can remove files from the drives of those you decide to kick out of the group. Dropbox actually calls it "Kicking Out."
I often use it to start torrent remotely so they are available when I get home. Those Linux files are huge, you know?
Dropbox offers a basic 2 gig account for free. They also offer a Pro account starting at ten bucks a month. You can have 100, 200 or 500 gigs with a Dropbox Pro account. Then there is the Dropbox for Teams which gives you a terabyte of storage at about 800.00 per year.
You can earn free storage added to your basic account by doing things like following them on Twitter or liking them on FaceBook. You can earn space for referring friends as well.
DB does not own your files or care about your account unless they suspect something is afoot. Like a basic account showing lots of traffic or you decide to setup multiple accounts or violate anything in their EULA/TOS.
Dropbox does not tolerate piracy and they will immediately shut off access until you prove you are innocent.
I use all three clients: Windows, iOS and Linux. I can upload to or download from any device and the files are available to any device and new files uploaded will be available to all connected devices, seamlessly.
Let me say this: I have never had any problem with DB. Flawless for the most part but as with anything like DB, they do go down for maintenance and yes, some accounts have been hacked. But that is to be expected with any and ALL cloud services.
If you think it cannot happen to you, you need to recall history. If they tell you you will always be safe, I say shennagains. Just assume it will happen.
And remember . . with DB, your files are always available even if you do not have net access because your files are also stored on your device.
You will find plenty of services we are told are bullet proof, but like all such claims, eventually, someone will prove them wrong and bad things happen.
Just simply assume that everything you post or upload will be read by people with no business seeing your data. Simply assume all accounts will be hacked and your sensitive data will be seen by others.
Simply assume your financial accounts will be hacked on line and proceed from there. Might not happen, probably will never happen, but it could happen and if you assume it will eventually happen, you can decide what you want to keep or not keep stored in the clouds.
IOWA
Mr. Logic Pants
I use crashplan. Unlimited storage, unlimited bandwidth. No syncing though, just backup. With dropbox free and unlimited backups, I'm good to go.
Online Data Backup - Offsite, Onsite, & Cloud - CrashPlan Backup Software
Depending on your security settings on crashplan, you *will* be able to retrieve files from their servers whereever you are via their mobile app or web client.
Speed Daemon
Android Expert
Please do!
Bob Maxey
Android Expert
I think I will.
Perhaps after dinner tonight.
Or tomorrow after coffee.
I am having chicken gumbo and perhaps a few grilled somethings with cheese. Probably pastrami or a nice pile of sausage.
Speed Daemon
Android Expert
Looks good. At $19.99/mo. for 200GB, the price is right. I could do that and Packrat without worrying that I'm "blowing my budget" on stuff that I want but don't necessarily need.
Works for me. I'm storing stuff like photos that I took, among other things. I don't want one of those 'social media empire that shall remain nameless' contracts that might have my work being sold with someone else getting the credit, profit and control over who sees what. Not that my personal photos are sale-worthy. :hahaha:
That brings up another matter. I record stuff off the air that I'd like to share clips of. I also shoot my own video, but need the occasional ability to pass along news items. YouTube (and Google in general) is no longer suitable for doing this, and I don't want to use my business website to share personal stuff. Anybody know of a better video streaming service?
Stop taunting me! I haven't had supper yet and now you're making me hungry!
Have you considered a private Linux based FTP server?
Buffalo TeraStations, Qnap and other servers can be had for new/used at reasonable prices.
Speed Daemon
Android Expert
I wouldn't put something as insecure as FTP out on the Internet in the 21st century, but I have colocated my own UNIX
andruoid
Android Expert
3TB network drive at home houses my files. A 'special' account for my phone was made so I can backup files (mainly photos) remotely. I don't trust 3rd party services and really don't have time to read the TLS agreement(s), I never like fine print which can be interpreted the way a company wants. Legal BS. What do you do after 2 years on Dropbox?
Why 2 years? There were some promotions that gave you a certain amount of extra space for two years. I had a 3 gig promotion that ended last november. My account went back to 25 gigs (free) and I been trucking ever since.
Been using dropbox for 5 years now I believe. I couldn't live without it, especially for school
Crashdamage
Android Expert
You have no offsite copies it seems. What do you do if:
1. House burns.
2. Equipment is stolen.
3. HD failure.
I keep multiple local copies of all critical files plus remote copies on Dropbox and Google Drive. Changed or added files on home computers, phones or tablets and photos or videos done with phones or tablets are immediately automatically synced to our PCs and both offsite accounts.
Barring the Apocalypse, I ain't losing nothin'.
Linux user #266351. Android since v1.0
andruoid
Android Expert
I have 2 drives mirrored. If one fails, replace and re-mirror. The drives are in place that unless stumbled upon no one will have the time to find them.
I keep the RAW photographs as well and have nearly 300GB from the past 12 years of digital cameras. Not to mention 600 scanned slides from my parent's days.
jefboyardee
Extreme Android User
Crashdamage
Android Expert
All the popular file managers have had connectivity to Dropbox, Google Drive, other cloud services and much more for a long time.
You might check out File Explorer and FolderSync.
Linux user #266351. Android since v1.0