Perhaps the best way I’ve found to share files between computers is to use the handy, simple, and wonderful DropBox.
DropBox basically beats the snot out of any other way there is to synchronize files between computers. It. Is. Awesome.
For example, I prattle on and on in Laptops For Dummies about how to synchronize files between a desktop and laptop when you leave on vacation. Microsoft has tried to make that “easy” with a dumb tool like Briefcase, and with the current, even dumber, tool called Sync.
I hate Sync.
DropBox is just insanely simple. You start by creating a DropBox account, which is free as long as you don’t gobble up oodles of storage. Visit http://www.dropbox.com/ to get started.
There are two parts to DropBox. The first is your DropBox account on the Internet. Then there is a local, DropBox folder on your computer. The two are instantly synchronized, with folders and files you place in the DropBox folder on your computer duplicated to your DropBox account on the Internet. It happens almost instantly (depending on your Internet connection speed).
Create a subfolder in your DropBox folder on your computer, it’s duplicated on your DropBox account on the Internet.
Even better, when you install DropBox on another computer, such as your laptop or work computer, all the files already stored in your existing DropBox account are copied over. Change a file one place, it’s changed everywhere.
You can also share your DropBox folders with others on the Internet. You flag a folder as “shared” and invite people via email to access that folder. If they have DropBox, then the folder shows up inside their DropBox folder on their computer. Sharing files is as easy as dragging them to your DropBox folder on your computer.
It’s cinchy!
I recently completed a book by sharing a folder with another author. More commonly, I use DropBox to keep track of files I take with my when I’m on the road with my Laptop. I don’t have to synchronize anything because DropBox does it for me: As long as the files are in my DropBox folder (or one of its subfolders), the job is done!
There are DropBox apps for Android and possibly the iPhone as well. They also give you access to your files when you’re on the road, though that’s more of a look-only thing.
If you’re looking for a file-sharing solution, DropBox is it. Recommended.
Dropbox it great I use it for sharing photo’s large amounts of them as well, I just drag and drop them into my drop box and leave it for a while come back and they are all synchronised so me friend can get access to them and edit them. I tried Windows Sky drive before dropbox and could not get my head around it at all, I wonder if Microsoft will buy Dropbox, they have bought Skype and Hotmail.
Comment by chiefnoobie — June 15, 2011 @ 3:11 am
Well, if Microsoft buys DropBox will they screw it up like they did Windows Sky?
I’ll bet that Windows Sky started out just like DropBox: Simple and elegant. Then it suffered from Too Many Cooks syndrome.
Comment by admin — June 15, 2011 @ 6:32 am
I like the system requirements part on the box, that is very true. I’m looking at the sky drive web site there does seem to be a lot of stuff you have to remember to use it. I liked dropbox there was a video to watch I watched it and I could use the software in under 5 minutes. That is a good sign for a software package. I think what seems to go wrong is when they try to integrate it into Windows or say for example live mail, I have a feeling this is what is going to happen to Skype, you will load up Windows Live Mail (which I like at the moment)and be able to access Skype with in the same Window. What happened to MSN video chat that is stuck somewhere in the live messenger on live mail, I hope this is not what will happen to Skype. It is getting a bit too crowded in the Live mail which is why having a separate program might actually be a better option.
Comment by chiefnoobie — June 15, 2011 @ 8:28 am
I think if there’s a lesson to learn from Microsoft, it’s to do one thing and do it well. Microsoft has a long, long history of junking things up. At first, it was to eliminate competition, but later it just didn’t seem to serve any purpose. (Not that eliminating competition justifies what they did.)
Comment by admin — June 15, 2011 @ 8:35 am
While using DropBox, I found symbolic links to be invaluable. I had a huge work folder, with lots of large data files and source code. When I installed DropBox, I didn’t want to duplicate everything, so I use symbolic directory links.
This works both on Windows and on Linux, so I don’t end up doubling disk space usage on any machine. Plus, when I update my files in my work folder, they are automatically reflected in DropBox (without having to copy the updated files into my local DropBox folder each time).
Comment by sriksrid — June 15, 2011 @ 11:48 am
This is fantastic news for people like me,, Dan. I won’t have to mail data discs anymore – I’ll save money. Thanks!
Comment by The Gnome Whisperer — June 16, 2011 @ 6:52 am