Easy file sharing using dropbox

Dropbox is an easy way to synchronise your files across computers. First of all, it offers a web based interface where you upload files and store them in your account. Additionally you can install client software on Mac OS X, Linux or Windows, that creates a special dropbox folder on your computer. As soon as you copy a file into that folder, it gets automatically synced with your web account or if you upload something from another PC (other PC or OS, but same account) or via web, it magically appears in your local dropbox folder.

Imagine you’re at work an realise that you need some files at home. No problem at all, just log in at dropbox’s web interface, upload the data. At home, dropbox automatically downloads it to your local folder. Could it be any easier? 

You might say now, you don’t need it at all because you always keep an USB stick in your pocket just in case of emergency. And that’s not only faster but also does not need an Internet connection. Well, keep reading! It gets even better.

Using dropbox, you can easily share files with other people like friends or family. There are 2 prossibilities. Your dropbox folder has a special folder named Public. Anything that goes in there can be shared with other people. Just right-click on the file and select Dropbox - Copy public link. As the name suggests,  a link is copied to your clipboard heading to the file. Anybody can access the file via that link, even without being a dropbox user at all.

If you often share file with the same people, always copying public link is annoying. Luckily, there’s a second possibility. Just create a new directory somewhere in you local dropbox folder, right-click on it an select Dropbox – Share. You’re headed to a website where you enter mail addresses of other dropbox users. After accepting your invitation, the folder appears in their dopbox as well. Anybody in that group can add or remove content and changes are immediately reflected in all the other user’s dropboxes. How cool is that.

People quite often ask me for help with their computer problems. Dropbox in combination with Sktich makes this a lot easier. If you want them to have a screenshot, just fire up skitch, take the screenshot and drag it in the shared dropbox folder.

If you’re not yet a dropbox user, create an account right now! It’s easy and it’s free. It would be very nice if you would use this link for registration, containing a referral that offers extra 250MB for both of us. Now happy dropboxing.