Anyone using Dropbox?

legacyb4 · 10-27-2009, 10:29 AM

I use a service called Dropbox which is a hybrid backup and file storage application. Your local folder of data is pushed to their data cloud (Amazon S3 backend) and pulled to another computer that you've set up with your account (home <= cloud => work, for example). Also provides for straightforward photo & file sharing with various levels of access permissions.

In addition to accessing your files through the Dropbox application, you can retrieve files in a pinch from their website as well through a web browser.

My referral code is here; we both get an extra 256MB of storage if you use my code (up to a maximum of an additional 3GB on top of the standard 2GB account) and hope at least a few of you take me up on my invite!

https://www.getdropbox.com/referrals/NTIyMzA5OQ

Cheers.

*deadwolfbones* · 10-27-2009, 11:16 AM

I'm using Mozy, which is unlimited backup for $5/mo.

legacyb4 · 10-27-2009, 11:45 AM

Mozy is pure backup though; Dropbox extends the feature set beyond just pure backup by being an online filing system (with revision history). It's particularly handy if you are working with a group of people and want to have a shared folder of documents that stay in sync across everyone's local computer.

Gotta love the Net age!

Originally Posted by deadwolfbones

I'm using Mozy, which is unlimited backup for $5/mo.

*deadwolfbones* · 10-27-2009, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by legacyb4

Mozy is pure backup though; Dropbox extends the feature set beyond just pure backup by being an online filing system (with revision history). It's particularly handy if you are working with a group of people and want to have a shared folder of documents that stay in sync across everyone's local computer.

Gotta love the Net age!

Ah yeah, I didn't get that about dropbox. That's functionality I don't really need, though.

breischl · 10-27-2009, 03:57 PM

I actually use both, for different purposes.

I love the sync and sharing in Dropbox, but the low storage caps make it an iffy backup solution.

Mozy has none of the coolness. On the other hand, I currently have over 425GB backed up on Mozy. I'd need a whole lot of Dropbox accounts for that.

You could also get a Smugmug account for backup - they even take RAW files these days. That started after I got my Mozy account, so I haven't used it.

*deadwolfbones* · 10-27-2009, 04:01 PM

I think Smugmug also charges by the gigabyte for their backup service, unlike Mozy. I use Smugmug for JPEG galleries, but I couldn't afford it for storage.

edit: yep... $0.22 per gb with SmugVault, plus a $1/mo maintenance fee, plus $0.30 per gb uploaded, plus $0.51 per gb downloaded.

legacyb4 · 10-27-2009, 04:01 PM

Agreed. I use Smugmug for backup/display and Dropbox for more non-photo related backup/sharing.

Originally Posted by breischl

I actually use both, for different purposes.

I love the sync and sharing in Dropbox, but the low storage caps make it an iffy backup solution.

Mozy has none of the coolness. On the other hand, I currently have over 425GB backed up on Mozy. I'd need a whole lot of Dropbox accounts for that.

You could also get a Smugmug account for backup - they even take RAW files these days. That started after I got my Mozy account, so I haven't used it.

figmental1978 · 10-27-2009, 07:55 PM

I have a free 2gb dropbox account which I used to use but just forgot about. It's a good backup option for small files. I'll be using it for sure when I study next year. As for mozy, I think I may use them in the future when they speed things up a little, backing up 300gb of photos, music and movies is a nightmare, or so I'm told.

*deadwolfbones* · 10-27-2009, 09:47 PM

Originally Posted by figmental1978

I have a free 2gb dropbox account which I used to use but just forgot about. It's a good backup option for small files. I'll be using it for sure when I study next year. As for mozy, I think I may use them in the future when they speed things up a little, backing up 300gb of photos, music and movies is a nightmare, or so I'm told.

The initial upload is for sure, but once you've got your existing library up there it's painless to add new acquisitions to it.

legacyb4 · 10-28-2009, 08:50 PM

They've also just released an iPhone app that allows browsing/reading of the uploaded documents as well as sending pictures directly to the Photos folder for immediate online sharing which is pretty nifty.

Again, if you sign up with my code, we both get an extra 256MB of storage space on top of the free 2GB space you start with.

My referral link

Cheers.

a a i b · 10-28-2009, 10:04 PM

I'm pretty happy with Dropbox; it's what MobileMe should have been.