Online backup

[Stephen]

Saving really important files and documents online is arguably the safest type of backup. I have for a long time forwarded important emails containing stuff I need to keep to a googlemail account. I have a Windows Live account which gives me 25GB of free space, but its a bit clunky and difficult to operate effectively.

What if you could synchronise a folder of files or documents on two separate machines without really doing anything? No using USB sticks or CDs

What if you could save critical data like accounts, securely, online, automatically?

What if you could make available large files or folders to others without emailing them, or using FTP to upload to webspace, just by sending a single link?

What if you wanted to access important data whilst away from home but using someone elses computer?

I've recently discovered a small program and website known as Dropbox It allows you initially 2GB of free space to enable you to do all the above. You simply sign up with your name and email address, which enables you have an account and download the Dropbox software. There is an online demo to help you get started so its all pretty easy.

Its not often I recommend software on the site, but I'm rather excited about the potential of this one and feel its worth sharing. If you're wondering how they can do all this for free, well its because you can upgrade to 50GB or more of space and then they want money

[Stephen]

Re: Online backup

Now here is a test of the Dropbox functionality. I've put a zip folder in my Dropbox Public folder. Its only a few small images that were on my desktop. However it could be a 500mb folder that you want someone else to see. By right clicking on the file/folder there is a Dropbox option in the context menu which allows you to copy an online address. Email or paste it into an IM prog and someone else can instantly download it, without gaining access to the rest of your stuff

[yoshi]

Re: Online backup

Hi Stephen,
Thanks for the info. So far I haven't paid lots of attention to free space whatever it is, but this one is interesting. Will learn more about it.
I understand that I can use it, for isntance, for uploading to DPNow. And also including those people who do not lurk DPNow, even though I recomend them to do?

BTW I like the third and the forrth pic, especially the third. taken in Canada, maybe?
yoshi

[Stephen]

Re: Online backup

Hi Stephen,
Thanks for the info. So far I haven't paid lots of attention to free space whatever it is, but this one is interesting. Will learn more about it.
I understand that I can use it, for isntance, for uploading to DPNow. And also including those people who do not lurk DPNow, even though I recomend them to do?

BTW I like the third and the forrth pic, especially the third. taken in Canada, maybe?
yoshi

Hi Yoshi, I think that in the case of DPNow it maybe just as easy to upload to the gallery if you want to show pictures

Yes they were taken in Canada in September. Thanks for trying the link

[yoshi]

Re: Online backup

Hi Yoshi, I think that in the case of DPNow it maybe just as easy to upload to the gallery if you want to show pictures

Hi Stephen, yes, of course, I can upload to DPNow directly as I'm doing it right now.

I was thinking about some of my acquaintances who ask me to show my pics.
I sometimes tell them I have some at DPNow but regrettably they hesitate to visit DPNow.

The link might be helpful in the sense that I just upload once and use it for uploading at
DPNow and also send the link to them. It seems much easier for them to find/open the pics.

yoshi

p.s. while I'm writing this, I realized that sending the link to them might give them full access
to the backup files, not only pics but also to others? Well, I have to re-think about it.

[Pol]

Re: Online backup

I had a look at this a few days ago when I received to link (thanks). I must admit it look very good.

I already save files in personal webspace and also in a couple of extra email accounts but I'm still contemplating whether or not to go for this dropbox idea.

Is the software very easy to install and is it quite small?

The other thing that's on my mind is how some of these services can suddenly just go belly-up and you end up losing what you had stored - like some of those 'free galleries and photo storage' places we've used in the past. You start off free then you suddenly end up having to fork out or lose the lot.

Pol

[Stephen]

Re: Online backup

Hi Stephen, yes, of course, I can upload to DPNow directly as I'm doing it right now.

I was thinking about some of my acquaintances who ask me to show my pics.
I sometimes tell them I have some at DPNow but regrettably they hesitate to visit DPNow.

The link might be helpful in the sense that I just upload once and use it for uploading at
DPNow and also send the link to them. It seems much easier for them to find/open the pics.

yoshi


p.s. while I'm writing this, I realized that sending the link to them might give them full access
to the backup files, not only pics but also to others? Well, I have to re-think about it.

I understand what you are getting at now, I also can understand that if your friends don't speak English as well as you, they may be reluctant to come on the site.

I think that if you use the Dropbox site correctly, there is no way that others can see your private data, or gain access to areas you don't want them to. They would need to be logged in with your username and password to be able to do this. However if they too have an account, you can set up sharing folders and in this way you can swap photos

[Stephen]

Re: Online backup

I had a look at this a few days ago when I received to link (thanks). I must admit it look very good.

I already save files in personal webspace and also in a couple of extra email accounts but I'm still contemplating whether or not to go for this dropbox idea.

Is the software very easy to install and is it quite small?

The other thing that's on my mind is how some of these services can suddenly just go belly-up and you end up losing what you had stored - like some of those 'free galleries and photo storage' places we've used in the past. You start off free then you suddenly end up having to fork out or lose the lot.

Pol

Pol, the software is small and easy to install and operate, they require no personal info only a name and email address.

I can understand what you say about sites going "belly up". However, I'm pretty sure you would be given notice and the opportunity to save any data you needed to. IMO the functionality and convenience of this particular site outweighs any worries I have about things going "pear shaped" in the future. If you were burgled, or had a fire, its possible you would loose all your important data and web based backup as you obviously realise would save the day. I suppose even your Photobox account acts as a backup in a similar way

I have been looking on Google and there are many sites that offer online backup, most seem to offer the same amount of free space and charge similar amounts for larger amounts of space. However I'm not sure if they all offer the same functionality as Dropbox

[Pol]

Re: Online backup

Pol, the software is small and easy to install and operate, they require no personal info only a name and email address.

I can understand what you say about sites going "belly up". However, I'm pretty sure you would be given notice and the opportunity to save any data you needed to. IMO the functionality and convenience of this particular site outweighs any worries I have about things going "pear shaped" in the future. If you were burgled, or had a fire, its possible you would loose all your important data and web based backup as you obviously realise would save the day. I suppose even your Photobox account acts as a backup in a similar way

I have been looking on Google and there are many sites that offer online backup, most seem to offer the same amount of free space and charge similar amounts for larger amounts of space. However I'm not sure if they all offer the same functionality as Dropbox

Thanks for all that. I think I may well go for it, especially if I can persuade the others to do likewise.

It's so true what you say about Photobox! I have a lot stored in there as I organise printing for the others in there too. It would be nice to exchange zips that way rather than waiting for CDs or large emails.

Pol

[DTD]

[Stephen]

Re: Online backup

Thats a damm good deal for unlimited online storage