Any Dropbox users? Management question:

Just started using DB solely to back up my documents.
My question is, how do you maintain DB on your desktop?
More specifically (for example) if you were solely backing up docs, would you just keep your entire docs folder in the dropbox folder (with no local folder on your desktop) or, would you have your normal "my documents" folder and a copy of it in DB?

The latter option takes more time as youd have to save all of your files twice (once to the "my docs" folder in DB and the other to the "my docs" folder in your local user folder).

I guess I could just save to my local user folder and occasionally sync my DB folder with my local folder using something like SynToy?

What do you do?

 

I do use Dropbox, but as a way to share files with amongst the board of an engineering organization and in my lab. It's not very well-suited for large backup applications, IMO.

If you're using it for backup, a better scheme would be to use Cubby, I think. Dropbox requires that you move/copy the files to a designated Dropbox folder, whereas with Cubby, you can designate any existing folder a "cubby," and it will sync automatically. Cubby is currently invite-only, so you can either request an invite (and it'll come in a few days), or PM me and I can give you one of the invites I have left

 

Old versions of Dropbox allowed Dropbox folder to be named differently. So you could move your My Documents folder, create a Dropbox folder called My Documents in this place and copy the contents into it.
That way you would synchronize your My Documents folder and keep only one copy of things (which is fine assuming you have a backup).

 

Interesting; a simple little tweak to the DB model which sounds very effective. My only concern here is the "beta" portion and the repuation of the company.
Maybe im a little paranoid but im worried about some sort of event that I cannot control that would affect the cloud-service's servers and/or these guys have access to my documents.
I guess i have would/should have the same issues with a company like DB, but the fact that theyve been around for while gives me some comfort.

I just checked; I can just rename my dropbox folder "my documents". this is the easiest option but then I would have to remember to (periodically) back up locally.

 

Or windows live mesh if you just want to sync data to the cloud. and no invitation needed

google drive and dropbox require people to actually put stuff into designated location is beyond my understanding.

 

I have a folder in dropbox with a shortcut of that to my desktop. Once I'm finished with a document I save to the shortcut folder which syncs it. You can make as many folders/shortcuts as you want and put them anywhere, with the corresponding folder in the dropbox.

 

Baiii-so Live Mesh can be used in conjunction with a cloud service?

What cloud providers do not require that you put your stuff into a "designated" folder?

Lastly, can Live Mesh be used without any cloud storage at all and just to sync folders across computers?

Thanks!

 

Yes, Live Mesh can do that. But, it will be discontinued in the near future, as MS is pushing Skydrive instead (which is implemented in the same was as Dropbox). In fact, I was using Live Mesh before I moved to Cubby as a replacement. Cubby gives you the option to just sync folders across computers without cloud storage, if you prefer--those folders are not counted towards the 5GB storage limit.

 

Meh, I just read it now, so they are saying they don't want to give free cloud backup. Why these software all control freak like and make you put stuff into their folder.. , guess i need to join midnightSun.

 

I dont see how this solves anything.
You could just save directly to the DB folder; creating a shortcut on your desktop doesnt appear to me to save any time, it just replicates the original DB folder.
You still need to sync the DB folder with your documents folder on your desktp unless you are keeping your primary "documents" folder in your DB and do not keep a local copy.

So SKydrive will/has have the Live Mesh functionality built in?

Do you feel safe using Cubby? Who owns them?

 

I guess I don't understand what you're asking for. My method has you saving documents once.

The dropbox is a local folder that syncs to a corresponding folder online, or between devices. Rather than using my dropbox directly, I keep it in it's default position and use the shortcuts as a matter of convenience. I'm not sure how you have it set up (I don't have "my documents" on my desktop) but you could "move" your documents folder to your dropbox and have a shortcut to your desktop or anywhere else that's convenient. You could also create a shortcut for your entire dropbox folder.

It basically works the same with Skydrive, GoogleDrive and Live Mesh

 

LogMeIn. In terms of security, you can read about it on their FAQ. It's just as secure/insecure as any other cloud data storage service, ie Dropbox and Skydrive.

Just a clarification to avoid confusion; this is not how Windows Live Mesh works. WLM is not the same as Skydrive. WLM allows you to designate existing folders located pretty much anywhere on your computer as a folder to be kept in sync, and then works to sync the contents of that folder with your other computers (and optionally, with online storage). It does not rely on a single synced folder, which is what Skydrive and Dropbox uses.

 

okay...lets clear some things up about SkyDrive.

SkyDrive works in two ways: 'DropBox' mode and 'LiveMesh' mode. Let me clarify what I mean. 'Dropbox' mode refers to syncing all the files you place in the 'SkyDrive' folder (how dropbox works). 'LiveMesh' mode is the ability to download files from a target PC to the computer you're currently using. the caveat with the LM mode is that the computer needs to be on (not sure if this is the case with LM).

they can both run at the same time OR you can disable the LM mode (more like NOT enabling it in the first place).

Some disadvantages of skydrive:
-can't select which folders in the 'SkyDrive' folder to sync or not sync.
-is slow as molasses at uploading (heavily recommend NOT storing photos on here) and has no option for removing the upload limit (pretty sure this is prevent people from not RTFM and complaining about Skydrive taking up all their bandwidth)
-is connected to a bad brand (for no good reason by alot of people...)


EDIT:

Concerning Privacy/Security:

the thing about online privacy/security is that you're simultaneously secure and compromised at the same time. You're compromised in the fact that your ISP knows EVERYTHING about you (yes, absolutely everything - including which CCs you use to pay for which specialty sites) (lets not delude ourselves, laws and policies are only effective AFTER your data has been used). However, you're safe because of the fact that you are solely a number to the company. There are millions of 27yr old bald asian men just like you; no one (especially a large corporation) gives a about you or what you had for breakfast yesterday.

rest assured, your privacy is safe.

Concerning Cloud Storage Management:

let me describe my setup. I use both Dropbox AND Skydrive.

Dropbox has the benefit of faster upload speeds and ubiquity. It works great as a 'current project' folder (I'm a programmer if that's relevant) because I can quickly upload a small amount of images and assorted files. As well, sharing is a breeze because everyone is comfortable hearing 'i'll put it on Dropbox.'

Skydrive is used mainly as a document archive and as my photo gallery. I keep all of my photos here because of how well it integrates with other microsoft services (for obvious reasons).

*took about 40 hrs to upload 3GB of photos on Skydrive; took about 6 on Dropbox. Your results may vary.

EDIT: I did alot of analysis to determine that my setup is great for my needs. I'll go more indepth if you want but its too long already.

 

You can have 1 or 15 folders, or whatever number you choose in the main Dropbox folder, and with shortcuts to those folders it would mimic the other programs, so basically, it works the same way.

 

I dig around goggle since they saying they discontinuing live mesh and I find this

5GB free by Lacie Wuala - Secure Cloud Storage - Backup. Sync. Share. Access Everywhere.

no designated folder, not too bad I guess.

Do they just use their unsold NAS or external storage as server ;p?

 

You sure about that? I have a couple folders I'm collaborating with different people and they each have their own folder. Granted the central point to share these folders is online, so it may not be exactly like Live Mesh, but it only takes a dew minutes to set up. One folder is shared with Don, and another with David. It would work the same if they were my own devices. If I needed to I could share another folder with both of them.

If you're not syncing/sharing a folder, what's the point? I suppose if your storage is limited such as on a phone, you have to set it up differently, perhaps with another email.

 

I suggest you use windows live mesh, which is really killer if you want any flexibility. Its not perfect but really flexible. Sugar sync is another option if you use android devices.