Between home computers, work computers, Smartphones, Netbooks and Tablets chances are you’ve needed something from one device when you’re on another. Or, you spend tons of time emailing documents, files and pictures to yourself so you can access them elsewhere. Not only is it annoying, but it’s completely unnecessary.
If you want to be able get a hold of your digital files no matter where you are then check out Dropbox--quite simply the easiest online storage app around. Once you download it to your computer you can just drag and drop any file into your Dropbox folder where it will live safe and sound in an encrypted cloud (watch our video to see exactly what that means).
Breathe easy knowing your files are synced, backed up, easily accessible, and can even be shared with other people. Check out this week’s video, and not only will you learn all about Dropbox, but Carley will reveal a secret talent she shares with another clever blonde.
34 Comments
KIra @Kissing the Joy says:
Carley, you are so darn cute. That Jeanie bit was too funny. Thanks so much for this video, I've been wondering about Dropbox! So technically, you could put your photo library photo in the dropbox and it would be accessible to any devices? I'm going to have to look into it further. Thank you, love the twirls!
CKnobloch says:
Yes! You can access anything from any device once you have all the mobile apps and OS apps installed. Give it a try and let us know if you have any questions!
gene sherin says:
can you use siri on android app
Linda says:
Love this!!! Thank you
CKnobloch says:
You're so welcome! Let us know how you plan to use it!
Laura says:
Seriously, how awesome are you!!!
CKnobloch says:
*blush.*
Carolyn Brown says:
This looks fantastic - but I have to ask about security. I really don't want anyone accessing my files that shouldn't.
CKnobloch says:
Carolyn— it's a good question. All the files you store on Dropbox are transmitted over an encrypted channel, and stored encrypted as well. This basically means that it would look like gobbeldy-gook to anyone who isn't you, or the people you share you data with.
Nello Lucchesi says:
Dropbox security isn't what we were lead to believe. See this Wired article, for example:
http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2011/05/dropbox-ftc/
Nello Lucchesi says:
Here's Dropbox's suggestions on how to mitigate privacy risks:
http://wiki.dropbox.com/TipsAndTricks/IncreasePrivacyAndSafety
Here are Dropbox's point-by-point discussion of privacy:
http://blog.dropbox.com/?p=735
CKnobloch says:
Nello— Thanks for a thorough look into this matter. We wouldn't recommend Dropbox if we didn't believe that security was a top priority, but more information is always good when it comes to this stuff.
Jendi says:
I started using this about a month ago, but not for any of my files.
My clients load files into it and we can both see them without having to fool with email to send them. I agree that it's a great tool.
CKnobloch says:
Jendi, I'm using it too, for business. helps my editors and I share drafts of each Digitwirl episode. But it's becoming increasingly valuable for personal stuff too. Always having important docs handy means never having to say, "I'll email that to you when I get back to my computer."
Jillian Chamberlain says:
I don't know how I ever got by without DropBox! I love it!
CKnobloch says:
Jillian— Isn't it just the best!
Ariana says:
I've been enjoying Dropbox and LastPass for personal and business ... pretty indispensable. Will follow up on Nello's links on security though.
Love you style Carley!
CKnobloch says:
Ariana— Thanks so much! Yes, best to check on all the security info and make sure it feels right for you.
Sami Coghill says:
Carley - thanks so much for the 5 gigs on Dropbox! That is a very cool site and so easy to use. I set up on my computer and it synced automatically with my phone after setting it up there as well. I can now share pictures of my son's Colorado wedding with my mom who was unable to attend. Thanks for all you do to make my technical life so much easier.
Iisa says:
If I just want to back up my pictures on my computer, is this the easiest way to do this? Or should I buy one of those memory stick things? Thank you!
CKnobloch says:
Lisa— Dropbox is perfect for backing up your images. Only thing you have to watch out for is file size over time. You only get a certain amount of gigabytes with Dropbox before you have to pay a yearly subscription, but if you factor in how many little memory sticks you'd have to buy to get a comparable amount of space, it's worth it. Highly recommend Dropbox, and lots of companies are now integrating it into their apps. For example, Photosync for iPhone (photosync-app.com) now let's you wirelessly transfer pictures from your iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch to Dropbox to back them up. Brilliant!
Lisa says:
Thank you! I will check it out today. The other ones you recommended only allow me to upload one photo at a time. That would take me forever because I have about 400 pictures. I need something I can just drag picture "folders" into. I love the iPhone capabilities!
Ariana says:
Since I got 5 gift gigs of Dropbox from Carley, it's been a blast dragging and dropping files full of photos. And knowing it's backed up in a folder on my laptop. Especially good for all the stock photos I've bought and need on hand.
Even with a yearly subscription, the ease of Dropbox is worth it.
CKnobloch says:
Ariana— Fantastic! Glad that you're loving Dropbox as much as we are.
Julia says:
Carley -- I don't know how I did it but I tripped over digitwirl yesterday and it is already my Ab Fab site! I kinda can't wait to go to work tomorrow to show all my friends. I've been learning about dropbox today and I think it will really give me some peace of mind about lost photos. Don't tell but I had a bit of a user disaster (mine!) with some very precious pix but your guidance to dropbox should end all that. Thank you!! Love your work!!
Julia
CKnobloch says:
Julia— So glad you tripped over us! (Look out!). Thanks for watching... let us know what other episodes you find useful, or if you have another life management problem you want our help with!
Londi Murray says:
question- im getting a bit confused. ive watched all your videos and just trying to see how to us the different storage & organization tools. Videos are all awesome by the way! so it seems to me that evernote & dropbox are similar. Do you use both of these? in different ways? just want to get straight before i start using them! also, carbonate is strictly a computer backup correct? not like these other two? thanks so much for all you do! being a mother of 5 kids- all of these tips help
CKnobloch says:
Londi— Great question. While Carbonite, Evernote and Dropbox have a lot of the same features, I'd boil it down to the following: Evernote is great for storing lists and digital files you want to easily view and retrieve. Think digital filing cabinet you can take everywhere with you. Carbonite is great for backing up your computer and not having to think about it. And Dropbox is like a locker in the sky for any file you want to back up. Hope that's helpful!
Chasity Daniels says:
Have u compared Google Docs and Drop Box? What was your likes and dislikes?
CKnobloch says:
LOVE Google Docs for sharing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, especially if multiple people want to annotate, make changes, or work on files at the same time. LOVE Dropbox for sharing files that you have to open in native software (ie. Microsoft Word, Excel, etc) but once updated is seen updated by anyone you're sharing the file with. Very similar but slightly different feel.
Lori Clinton says:
Love Dropbox!!!
CKnobloch says:
Lori— It's such an amazingly simple yet incredibly useful app, isn't it?
Twitter Chat Monday Nov 14th: Work & Home Collaboration Tools and Tips to Make Your Life Easier as a Mompreneur | Mom Biz Coach Business Coach for Mom Entrepreneurs says:
[...] 10:15pm Drop Box LEARN MORE: Twitter @DropBox DROP BOX VIDEO: by Carley Knobloch of Digitwirl 10:30pm Join.Me 10:45pm Cozi TWEETS: Feel free to copy and paste the following [...]
soohyun says:
"SugarSync
SugarSync's file sync, online backup, and file sharing service makes it easy to
stay connected. Get free, secure cloud storage for all your files -- documents, ...
https://www.sugarsync.com/ "
--dropbox user for some time, I tried sugarsync after reading reviews, and I liked the storage size. I assume it works similar to dropbox. When I first installed, it backed up all my pc contents and it was scary. I hope the secury is good there. The layout was bit better than dropbox though.