DropBox and Cloud Storage

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DropBox and Cloud Storage

Postby Matt Denton » Thu Feb 02, 2012 12:24 pm

As a consequence of having many computers and needing to constantly check backups or take my USB HD with me wherever I go, I have recently started looking at cloud storage. As I use Ubuntu I started with Ubuntu One, which offers 5Gb of free storage, and will run on Ubuntu and XP. However, after some time trailing it I soon realised that it is painfully slow to sync files, and also pretty unreliable. I'm sure the service will get better but for now its not reliable enough for me.

So I took a look at DropBox, which has been established for some time, but only offers 2Gb of free storage. Again this will install on most operating systems, so no problems with my Ubuntu and XP machine's. It was easy to install, and so far is MUCH better than Ubuntu One. The sync speed is much faster, plus it's much easier to see exactly what's happening with regards to uploads & downloads etc. One of the biggest benefits is DropBox's LAN feature, if there are several computers assigned to the same account and on the same LAN, the transfer of data happens locally across the LAN instead of the internet connection. The machines do all need to have an internet connection for this to work, but as I'm sure you can appreciate the transfer speed is much faster and your internet bandwidth is not used up!

Another nice feature is the "Pictures" & "Public" folders automatically created in your Dropbox folder. IF you want to share a picture with someone, such as showing your robot on this forum, you need to host the picture somewhere, Dropbox will allow you to do this. Place the picture in your Pictures folder then go to your Dropbox website where you can get a permanent link to the picture to embed elsewhere, nice.

The only downside I can see so far is the 2Gb free storage, you can pay for additional space, but it seems quite expensive to me. However, there is a recommendation programme, so if for example you use my recommendation link and set up an account, we both should get an extra 250Mb added to our account, up to a maximum of 8Gb, giving a total of 10Gb free storage.. not bad.

So if you fancy trying it out then please use my recommendation link so we can both benefit from the additional storage :)
Matt Denton
AKA: Winchy_Matt

micromagic systems ltd
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Re: DropBox and Cloud Storage

Postby innerbreed » Fri Feb 03, 2012 5:13 am

Hummm. is that link for real?

http://db.tt/bcUeo6H4
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Re: DropBox and Cloud Storage

Postby Matt Denton » Fri Feb 03, 2012 10:05 am

It should be... it came from the link they gave me in the account :)
Matt Denton
AKA: Winchy_Matt

micromagic systems ltd
Matt Denton
Site Admin
 
Posts: 1556
Joined: Tue May 20, 2008 9:15 pm
Location: Winchester UK


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