Dropbox is a free cloud file storage service. It was one of the first to appear, and its use is very widespread. If you don’t use Dropbox yet, you should seriously consider trying it.
With Dropbox you can store files for your personal use and use them wherever you need them. You can also transfer files between two computers, or send files to your mobile phone. Finally, you can share files with your friends, or make them public for everyone. How is all this done?
Below is a small manual to start using Dropbox.
Store Files
Getting started with Dropbox is very simple, just follow these steps.
- Create a free account on the Dropbox website https://www.dropbox.com
- Download and install the Dropbox program.
It’s that easy. The program creates a folder in “My Documents” called “Dropbox”. This folder is a “normal” folder, you can create subfolders, save any type of file, etc… To open it quickly, double-click on the Dropbox icon in the taskbar (bottom right, next to the clock).
The Dropbox program is responsible for “synchronizing” files between the folder on your computer and your Dropbox, copying the necessary files in both directions until they are the same.
Use Dropbox as Storage
To retrieve your files from another computer, you just need to install the Dropbox application and enter your username and password. The program will download the files to the new computer. In this way, it’s like carrying a USB stick with you at all times.
If the computer you are going to use is not your own, and you don’t want to synchronize all the files, it’s best to access your files through the Dropbox website, which allows you to download or upload files without needing to install the program or synchronize folders.
Finally, if you want to use Dropbox on your mobile phone or tablet, there are free applications in the Android, iPhone and BlackBerry markets that allow you to download and upload files from your Dropbox.
Share Files with Your Friends
You can share a folder with one or more friends. To do this you have to,
- Open the Dropbox folder on your computer.
- Create a subfolder with any name you want (e.g., Shared with Alberto and Ana).
- Right-click on the folder and select /dropbox/share.
- A window appears where you enter the emails of the people you want to share the folder with. Invitations to share the folder are sent to your friends.
- Your friends accept the invitations and, if they want, change the name of the folder (e.g., Antonio changes it to “Shared with Benito and Ana”)
In this way, a shared folder is created among all members. Any file that any member puts in will appear to the others. It’s a quick way to exchange files between two people, collaborate on a project, or, for example, share music with a group of friends.
Share Files with Everyone
Finally, Dropbox has the “Public” folder, which allows someone to download a specific file from your Dropbox without creating a shared folder. It’s useful for sending large files, for example, a project to a client, or a program to a classmate, etc… To do this you have to,
- Copy the file you want to share into the “Public” folder
- Right-click and select /dropbox/copy public link.
- Send the link you copied to the person you want to share the link with (by email, post it on your blog, etc…).
- The person clicks on the link and downloads the file.
It’s important to say that at no time does anyone access your computer; they download it from the Dropbox server. It’s something like a Rapidshare account. At any time you can delete the file from your Dropbox, and it will no longer be available for public download.
