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Really useful file sharing utility — Parallax Forums

Really useful file sharing utility

stamptrolstamptrol Posts: 1,731
edited 2010-06-02 13:58 in General Discussion
· Like many others on the forums, I end up using several computers in the run of a day. I try to do project development (stamp programs, flowcharts, sketches, notes) on USB memory sticks so the work can go with me as I go from home office to·lab/shop to downtown office. Invariably, I still·forget the memory stick in one location or the other.

· While surfing ye olde webb the other day I saw a video by Ellie Rountree of Rocketboom.com where she was doing an article on·utility software. One really struck me as useful.

· The program is called Dropbox and allows seamless, behind the scenes sharing and synchronizing of files amongst several computers. The program gets loaded on the computers, you sign up for a free, passworded·account and you get a special folder on your desktop. Any file dropped into the folder gets immediately shared with all the computers in the account.

· As well, the folder is duplicated in "the Cloud", so all files are available via browser from anywhere there is an internet connection.

· I've been running it for a few days now and its magical! I can go to any of my computers and have access to the current files. I can also allow sharing so my clients can easily get program updates.

· Its really refreshing to see a piece of software that installs easily (Win, Mac, Linux), comes with an uninstaller, isn't bloated, and JUST WORKS! The free account gives access to 2 GB of cloud storage but you can sign·up for more space at reasonable rates.

·Check out http://www.dropbox.com·for more information or to try it out.

· Cheers,

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Tom Sisk

http://www.siskconsult.com
·

Comments

  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2010-05-29 15:25
    @Tom,

    Thanks for posting this! Yes this will be extremely useful as I'm "proping" between three computers these days.

    OBC

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  • davejamesdavejames Posts: 4,047
    edited 2010-05-29 15:49
    Mr. Sisk,

    This is a perfect example of "the flow of information". I never would have known about this aside from your post.

    Thank you,

    DJ

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  • Beau SchwabeBeau Schwabe Posts: 6,568
    edited 2010-05-29 17:58
    If your computers are on the same network and within "eye shot" of one another, another handy program is called Synergy that allows you to use one mouse and keyboard across multiple computers (and operating systems). If I have EVERYTHING 'on' I have 5 monitors between 3 computers (<- Two dual heads, and a laptop) and I can drive them all from one keyboard and mouse location. However usually I just have one of the dual head computers on and maybe my laptop.

    synergy2.sourceforge.net/


    Note: You can't drag and drop files from one computer to the next, but all of the clipboard functions work and you can cut and paste. If I want to drag a large file, I have folder icons on each Desktop that are symbolic links to the other computers. I can move the files that way without too much problem. I also have a network drive that everyone can share.

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  • Peter KG6LSEPeter KG6LSE Posts: 1,383
    edited 2010-05-29 18:58
    I use My yahoo site as a disk inthe sky .

    It works like a champ . and for inter computer drag and drop in OSX is cool But for Very large transfers I use the target Disk mode with Firewire 800 and mount my other computer's HD on my Desktop .

    peter KG6LSE

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    Post Edited (Peter KG6LSE) : 5/29/2010 7:03:01 PM GMT
  • Mike2545Mike2545 Posts: 433
    edited 2010-05-29 22:02
    Beau, If someone is running Windows 7 and another flavor of Windows this is great www.inputdirector.com/

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    Mike2545
  • sylvie369sylvie369 Posts: 1,622
    edited 2010-05-30 01:36
    I'm a Dropbox user, since I saw it featured in the NYTimes Tech column some months ago. It's a pretty great piece of software: as far as I can see, it simply works, easily, quickly, and just as you'd hope it would.
  • MicrocontrolledMicrocontrolled Posts: 2,461
    edited 2010-05-31 19:37
    This is so funny. I met someone at UPEC that asked if I had Dropbox, and when I asked what it was, he told me and e-mailed me an invetation. Now I use it every day. It's interesting that this should pop up here so soon after.

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  • eod_punkeod_punk Posts: 146
    edited 2010-06-01 13:00
    Dropbox is great, I've been using it for some time now. The only problem I have had with it is the work used to block the site, I just checked it and now I can get to it. Now if only they would let me install PBasic and the Spin editor on a networked machine I'd be able to work alot easier.

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  • HollyMinkowskiHollyMinkowski Posts: 1,398
    edited 2010-06-01 16:21
    With Dropbox could I store something like a .pdf file and make it
    public so that anyone could use a simple url to download it without
    having to sign in or jump through some other annoying hoop?
  • stamptrolstamptrol Posts: 1,731
    edited 2010-06-01 16:30
    Holly,

    As I understand it, once you're using Dropbox, one folder is able to be made Public. Then you send your colleague the url and they're allowed to get the file.
    · Here, give it a try. http://dl.dropbox.com/u/7535371/quadhicount.bs2

    Cheers,

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    Tom Sisk

    http://www.siskconsult.com


    Post Edited (stamptrol) : 6/1/2010 4:36:36 PM GMT
  • HollyMinkowskiHollyMinkowski Posts: 1,398
    edited 2010-06-01 16:45
    Thanks stamptrol smile.gif

    That works perfectly.

    I'm off to sign up!
  • eod_punkeod_punk Posts: 146
    edited 2010-06-01 18:14
    Lifehacker, http://lifehacker.com/tag/dropbox/, has a whole bunch of neat uses for Dropbox.· Even how to host a website on it.

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  • UnknownUnknown
    edited 2010-06-02 04:04
    http://www.mediafire.com/
    ·
  • iDaveiDave Posts: 252
    edited 2010-06-02 06:00
    Yes mediafire is great also & quite simple. It allows a folder to be public and u just send th url.

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  • Dr_AculaDr_Acula Posts: 5,484
    edited 2010-06-02 12:20
    Am I allowed to confess that my "cloud storage" medium is the Propeller forum?!

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  • Oldbitcollector (Jeff)Oldbitcollector (Jeff) Posts: 8,091
    edited 2010-06-02 13:58
    Dr_Acula said...
    Am I allowed to confess that my "cloud storage" medium is the Propeller forum?!

    Been mine for a long time... [noparse]:)[/noparse]

    OBC

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