Back Up, Web Tips Backing Up and Syncing Your Data

One of my biggest annoyances was solved today. I HATE transferring files back and forth between my main pc and my laptop. Sure I can use a USB stick and Sneakernet it back and forth. I can email the info to myself. Or I can use FileZilla (hands down the best FTP program) to upload & download my files from Internet storage as I make changes. This requires me to actually get on the other computer and save the files. Even worse… this takes time! I don’t have the patience to wait for some huge monster data folder filled with all the daily info to upload and download.

I’m a thrifty gal, I’ve been putting off buying sync software because… I’m thrifty. Or as my one friend calls it: “Our inner lil old lady counting pennies”. 🙂 I could have also used any number of free VPN programs, but in my mind it seemed the same as uploaded & downloading via FTP. Today my procrastination paid off. I found Dropbox. Now all I have to do is make my changes in my Dropbox folder on either computer and I am done.

Basic – Free 2GB
Pro 50 – $9.99 month (option to add PackRat service) – 50GB
Pro 100 – $19.99 month (option to add PackRat service) – 100GB

Dropbox keeps a history of all of your deleted data and previous versions. You can undelete and rollback data for up to 30 days in all the account types. If you want to be able to undelete and rollback indefinitely Dropbox offers a “Packrat” option for their Pro 50 and Pro 100 accounts.

Installing Dropbox is simple.

All you have to do is download and install the software. You can download it on as many pc’s as you want to sync data between. You just have to use the same login info during the installation process on each computer.

You can even access your files from anywhere.

Access your files from anywhere. Even if you are not on any of the pc’s you are syncing data between. The great thing about this program is all data transfers are done securely using SSL encryption. Then all of your files stored on their servers are encrypted using AES-256.

You can even securely access your files using your cell phone*.

It is easy to access your data, just click on the desktop icon.

Just click on the desktop icon or toolbar icon to sync your data. That’s it. You just need to be connected to the Internet and all the files in your Dropbox file automatically sync.

You can even share your files with other people.

Sharing your files with others is easy and secure. Whoever you want to share your files with does not even have to be a member of Dropbox (though if you get them to sign up you get free storage space as a reward). All you have to do is drop the file into your public folder and give that person your unique public folder Internet link.

If they are a member all you have to do is add them on your shared folder member list. If you change your mind about sharing simply unshare the folder or take them off your shared folder member list.

That's it! Simple and Fast.

* Supported cell phones: Iphone, Ipad & Android. Support for Blackberry’s is posted on the Dropbox website as “coming soon”. Depending on when you are reading this… support could be available.