Sending files over instant messengers and e-mail used to be the default for many people. With files getting bigger and bigger, however, using e-mail and instant messengers to send files are not that feasible anymore.
Even with larger capacities for the said media, they are still not the best solution to uploading and sending files.
This is where file sharing services such as Dropbox comes in. Dropbox is a relatively new file sharing and syncing service that allows you to manage your files – huge files, at that – easily. The idea is very simple: it’s much like dragging and dropping files and folders in your Windows Explorer. The difference is that you can access these files over the Internet wherever you are – even if you are using a different computer!
What else is good about Dropbox? One, it is absolutely free! You do not have to pay for anything to use the basic service. This comes with 2GB of storage. If you need more, then you can upgrade to as much as 100GB of storage. Two, Dropbox is compatible with Windows, Linux and Mac, and mobile devices!
How do you use Dropbox to synchronize your files?
First, you have to download the program. This is very easy – you simply have to go to the homepage of Dropbox. From there, you can click on the button to download the program. If you want more information on the product, you may also watch the video.
Once you have downloaded the installer, you just need to run the .exe file and follow the step by step instructions. After the installation in completed, you have to restart your computer.
Upon restarting, you will then see the Dropbox icon in your taskbar – at the bottom right. You can either double left-click or right click to open the Dropbox folder, which looks just like any other folder that you open on your computer. This is the folder which you will use to manage the files that you upload.
In order to upload files, just open another window to access the files that you need. For example, you can browse My Documents and select the relevant file, or files. You can choose to copy the file and then paste it to the Dropbox folder. An easier way is to simply click on the file and drag it to the Dropbox folder. The program will automatically upload the file. It’s as simple as that!
How do you share files using Dropbox?
Let’s say you want your friends to see the entire album of your vacation in Jamaica. Naturally, your photos are high resolution, and the files are quite big. You can simply upload the whole folder to your Dropbox folder.
In order to share your files or folders, you simply have to right click on them in the Dropbox folder. You will see the Dropbox icon – click on that. You will then see an option to ‘Share This Folder…’ Click on that and an Internet browser window will open.
There, you can enter the e-mail addresses of the people you want to share the folder with. It is important to understand that you can only share files with people who are also using Dropbox. If your friends do not have Dropbox, they will have to download the program and create an account in order to enjoy the benefits of using it.
Are there any other benefits of using Dropbox?
Definitely! More than sharing files and folders, you can also use Dropbox to synchronize your files. Let’s say that you have uploaded a huge Powerpoint Presentation to your Dropbox folder. The original file is in your desktop at home. If you make any changes to the original file, Dropbox will automatically make the same changes to the uploaded file. This means that you do not even have to be connected to the Internet to make the changes – they will be made once you connect again.
There is another perk when it comes to storage space. When you first sign up for Dropbox (the free version), you will be granted 2.25 GB of storage space. You can increase that amount, however, by doing simple tasks. For example, if you invite friends to join Dropbox, and they sign up, you will be given extra space for FREE. There are also other tasks, or quests, which you can complete in order for you to get more space. Going to the Dropbox home page will prompt you to complete theses quests, so there is no need to worry about not finding them.
Dropbox can be a very useful tool for personal or business applications. Whether you are working on a personal or business document, Dropbox can assure you that your files are stored securely, that any revisions made will be tracked, and that all versions are synchronized.