2) Dropbox: a Wonderful, Free, Collaboration (and Backup!) Tool

2) Dropbox: a Wonderful, Free, Collaboration (and Backup!) Tool –

October 31st, 2010 · 48 Comments

Dropbox was mentioned on Brigada in 2010/09/05 under a submission about Virtual Filing Cabinet (PC only). Dropbox (Mac and PC) is indeed a great collaboration tool, but it is also a great free backup system for up to 2G+ of your data. Keep current projects in your private Dropbox folder, and every change you save to disk also gets stored on-line with a time-stamp. (Only the current version counts against your space limit!) If your computer dies or disappears, you will probably have a more recent version of your critical files than might be on your regular backup. And this on-line version history is also invaluable when you need to look back or revert to a previous version. For collaboration you can apparently specify individuals to have shared access to a specific folder, and each participant’s computer will stay synchronized with the latest changes regardless of who makes them (previous versions also remain available online). You can also “publish” items (like my draft of this submission at this link):

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/8064446/Dropbox_Promo.pdf

Referrals bump both parties free data limit (by .25G up to 8G). To get started with such a bump, visit the web comments for this item and use the most recent referral link posted there to sign up for Dropbox, then post your own referral link to let someone return the favor. Once you reach the referral benefit limit, please also note this in the web comments so further referrals aren’t wasted on you. Until another referral is listed in the Brigada comments, you can use Robby’s (Robby was the contributor of this item):

http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTgwNjQ0NDY5

(We couldn’t agree more, Robby. We’ve heard only positive feedback on Dropbox and we can’t figure out why more people aren’t using it. Great innovation that just works!)

Tags: · backup, technology

48 responses so far ↓

1 Robert Carpenter // Nov 1, 2010 at 12:54 am

I agree! Drop Box is great. So is box.net … another free tool (as long as you don’t exceed the file limit). Both great tools … as you say, they just work.
2 Brad // Nov 1, 2010 at 12:29 pm

I couldn’t agree more with the value of DropBox. I love it. For those wanting better security, create an appropriately sized TrueCrypt volume (TrueCrypt – perhaps the best free encryption software) to hold your sensitive info. A TC volume can contain any number of files & folders, but looks just like a single file and will synch just like any other file, but with rock-solid security.

I could definitely use some extra DropBox space, so would appreciate use of my referral link:

http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTIwMTc2NTg5

For more good DropBox tips, search http://www.lifehacker.com for “dropbox”.

Brad
3 Brad // Nov 1, 2010 at 12:33 pm

I couldn’t agree more. DropBox is a great deal. Simple to use, and it works great. For those needing greater security, consider combining this with a TrueCrypt (free encryption software) volume. A TC volume appears as a single volume, but can contain any number of files & folders, and will synch just like any other file.

I could definitely use some add’l DropBox storage, so would appreciate any use of my referral link, too:

http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTIwMTc2NTg5

Brad

P.S. – For more tips on DropBox, search http://www.lifehacker.com for “dropbox”.
4 Brad // Nov 1, 2010 at 12:39 pm

I agree – DropBox rocks. It is simple and just works. For those wanting greater security, consider using TrueCrypt (TC) together with DropBox. TC is an excellent free encryption program that allows you to (among other things) create an encrypted volume. This volume appears as a single file, but can contain any number of files & folders, and can be synched in DropBox just like any other file.

I could definitely use extra DropBox space so would also appreciate use of my referral link for new sign-ups:

http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTIwMTc2NTg5

Brad
5 Dianne // Nov 1, 2010 at 1:43 pm

http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTE0MjUyOTgzOQ
Thanks!
6 Steve Banks // Nov 1, 2010 at 5:50 pm

Thanks for the referral. I just signed up. Here is mine.

http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTE0MjY5MDY3OQ
7 Steve Banks // Nov 1, 2010 at 5:54 pm

Thanks for the referral, here is mine.

http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTE0MjY5MDY3OQ
8 Charles Balan // Nov 1, 2010 at 9:49 pm

I’m going to try this, so I’d love referrals.
http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTE0Mjc5MDY2OQ
9 L Eyerman // Nov 2, 2010 at 12:17 am

Here’s another referral link for Drop Box. Great tool!
http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTE0MjgzOTU4OQ
10 L Eyerman // Nov 2, 2010 at 12:17 am

Here’s another referral link:
http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTE0MjgzOTU4OQ
11 Brad // Nov 2, 2010 at 2:56 am

If you ever work on multiple computers, or need an easy method for sharing files & folders, I, too, highly recommend DropBox. It is dead-simple to use and just plain works. If you need enhanced security, couple it with TrueCrypt (TC), free encryption software, by creating one or more TC volumes. A TC volume looks like an ordinary file, but it can contain any number of files & folders, and it can be synched just like any other file. TC is also easy to use and includes an excellent user’s guide.

http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTIwMTc2NTg5

(The above is my DropBox referral link.)
12 Robby // Nov 4, 2010 at 7:43 pm

I have gotten a dozen bumps to my own account limit, which is great, but I will soon reach the limit of the benefit I can receive. I had also hoped to share the bumps more widely.

Once you have Dropbox installed, Please follow the instructions below to place your own link here so you can share the benefit. Thanks!

-

Once you have a Dropbox account, visit the Dropbox website. Log in if that doesn’t happen for you automatically.

On the lower left of the homepage should be a link labeled “Get Extra Space Free.”

Select this link, then copy the personalized link which appears under the label “Share this link on Facebook or Twitter.”

From there Navigate back here

http://brigada.org/2010/10/31_5661

to paste your link into the comments section for others to use in sharing the benefit.

Thanks!

– Robby
13 Tim // Nov 8, 2010 at 5:29 pm

Thanks for the tip. I just started using Dropbox and am finding it very useful. If Robby’s referral limit is met, here is mine.
http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTE0NDA0MDk1OQ
Thanks,
Tim
14 James Creasman // Nov 9, 2010 at 4:04 am

Thanks, Dropbox works great with my Mac. Here’s my referral link:

http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTk1MjU3MDg5
15 Michael Carlson // Nov 9, 2010 at 4:10 am

Very cool and easy to use. My wife and I are both signed up now.
http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTE0MjUwODc0OQ
16 Kyle Wisdom // Nov 9, 2010 at 5:19 am

my referral link. Love Dropbox.
http://db.tt/kQJMGRY
17 Matt R. // Nov 9, 2010 at 5:35 am

I started using dropbox a little bit ago to keep my wife’s laptop and mine synced with all the common stuff.

Great stuff! Here is my referral link:
http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTIxMTQ3NTQ5

Click away :)
18 John V. // Nov 9, 2010 at 7:16 am

I’m finding Dropbox extremely useful as well.

Here’s my referral link as well:

http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTE0MTI4NDQ5

Thanks!
19 craig campbell // Nov 9, 2010 at 8:45 am

I have been using Dropbox to share powerpoint and video presentations with our recruiting team that are too big to email to them. Pretty slick tool for that…largest file transferred so far is 230 mb.

my referral link– http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTEyODUwNTczOQ

Craig
with Wycliffe in Seattle area
20 Paul Stefan Ort // Nov 9, 2010 at 9:02 am

I have found Dropbox to be highly useful for automating some online backups and implementing synchronization of data between multiple computers. I use it to share files for previewing web pages as well.

Here is my referral link: http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTU4OTIxOQ

- Paul Stefan Ort
http://www.paulstefanort.com
21 Daniel Goering // Nov 9, 2010 at 9:08 am

Couldn’t agree more. Here is my link:

http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTMzMDkyOQ
22 Steve // Nov 9, 2010 at 9:13 am

http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTE0NDUxMjY0OQ
23 Charles Cherry // Nov 9, 2010 at 9:14 am

Here’s mine:

http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTEzMzQ4MTQ0OQ

Thanks!
24 Belinda // Nov 9, 2010 at 9:14 am

http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTMxNjMwMzQ5
25 Bob // Nov 9, 2010 at 9:33 am

http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTUyNDExNTU5
26 Keith Webb // Nov 9, 2010 at 9:52 am

http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTEzNzQzMTQ2OQ
27 TJ // Nov 9, 2010 at 9:58 am

We’re using DropBox at my church to plan and organize our weekly bulletin items and prayer requests. More space would be super!
http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTkwMjgxNTA5
28 Josh // Nov 9, 2010 at 10:53 am

http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTEzODgxNDkxOQ
29 VG // Nov 9, 2010 at 12:23 pm

Great resource. Access to dropbox from various platforms is great
http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTQ1NTg2ODk
30 Steve Banks // Nov 9, 2010 at 1:47 pm

http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTE0MjY5MDY3OQ

Thanks
31 Will Nelken // Nov 9, 2010 at 2:53 pm

Love Dropbox! Use it to send stuff between office and home. Use it for collaboration with co-workers. Use it to display and share photos. Use it to store audio files for remote access. Here’s my referral link: http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTI2MDk2Njg5
32 Robert // Nov 9, 2010 at 7:37 pm

Dropbox has definitely been very useful to me as I live and work in SE Asia. http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTUwMTExODA5
33 Don Barger // Nov 9, 2010 at 9:21 pm

Here is my referral… would love to have others sign up and get the free credits :) http://db.tt/UFJ0Qog
34 Don Barger // Nov 9, 2010 at 9:23 pm

Here is my referral… would love to have others sign up and get the free credits :)

https://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTEzMjkyNTk
35 Jon // Nov 9, 2010 at 9:54 pm

Would love any referrals still looking to make use of this great service. Thanks for the various tips posted in the comments here.

http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTEwNTgzOTgzOQ
36 Brad // Nov 9, 2010 at 10:36 pm

By the way, my apologies for multiple posts above. The commenting system didn’t seem to be working, so I tried from a few different browsers. Didn’t mean to spam the comments section!
37 Peter // Nov 10, 2010 at 1:29 am

http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTczODYxNDA5
38 Dave Hackett // Nov 10, 2010 at 2:09 am

http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTQwNzEyNDk5
39 browngeek // Nov 10, 2010 at 5:22 am

http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTY4OTY5NzI5
40 Chris McKinney // Nov 10, 2010 at 1:34 pm

http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTk3NjY2MDQ5
41 Faithe Thomas // Nov 11, 2010 at 1:12 am

http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTgyMTczNzA5
42 Bob Allen // Nov 13, 2010 at 3:52 am

Our leadership team uses Dropbox to share files. It just works. Even on very slow internet connections it syncs files without a glitch. Here’s my referral link:
43 Bob Allen // Nov 13, 2010 at 3:53 am

Hmmm. The link didn’t show up. I’ll try again: http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTM3MTU5NDY5
44 Stanley // Nov 16, 2010 at 12:44 pm

Dropbox has become indispensable. I hope they don’t close!

My referral link:

http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTU1MDE2OTk
45 Robby // Nov 16, 2010 at 6:51 pm

I’m so glad to see these additional referral links here. I’m up to 7.5G, so hoping everyone else will use someone else’s link above and not do any more to top mine off. I’d hate to have the benefit wasted on me when there are so many other links here. Blessings to all of you!
46 Andy K // Nov 17, 2010 at 1:28 pm

Dropbox is one of those things that just works and I really don’t have to think about it. I mostly use it to keep work files in sync between different computers and even my iPod Touch. I first discovered it by using 1Password which integrates beautifully and now my encrypted password keychain is always available and up to date. The knowledge that I also have files backed up online is a comfort.

I highly recommend Dropbox so here’s my referral link if you wish to sign up and get some additional storage for both you and myself:
http://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTU2MzA3MTA5
47 David // Feb 1, 2011 at 1:57 pm

Hi, I use Dropbox because I think it is very easy to use. Just put a file into a folder. You don’t need to care about anything. There is my referral link:
http://db.tt/XtTLvXP
I would be grateful if you use it to sign up.
48 NN // Oct 16, 2011 at 7:28 pm

With this referral you will get 500 mb instead of 250 mb (.edu email) http://db.tt/Hrot857i

Brigada

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