© 2015 BOB SKIDMORE ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
BOB SKIDMORE
CORRESPONDENT
While Dropbox is a popular service, it still amazes me
how few people know about it, what it does or how to maximize its use. So, if
you’re a user, bear with me, as I’m sure you’ll pick up a little insight into
what makes it tick.
Most of us at some time or another have the need to
email or in some other manner send files containing documents, photos or PDF’s.
Email might sound like the logical option, but most often its file size
limitation prevents its use. Most email accounts limit the file size to less
than 5 megabytes while others may allow up to 10. Beyond that you’re just out
of luck! That’s where Dropbox comes in. Dropbox is a service that utilizes the
cloud to allow you to transfer files of almost any size from one Dropbox to
another. It not only allows you to send such files to others, but from one of
your own computers, iPads or smartphones to another. In the latter, it allows transferring
this data without the use of a memory stick.
So, what’s needed? First you must subscribe to the
Dropbox service. As a private individual you can do this at no cost and have
access to a free 2GB Dropbox account. This probably would satisfy most needs,
however, additional memory is available as an upgrade with a monthly or yearly subscription
to a Dropbox Pro 1TB plan. You can also obtain additional 500MB increments at
no cost for each person you recommend that actually signs up. There is, however,
a 16GB cap on this offer. Commercial or business users can sign up too, but
with a monthly or annual fee.
Since Dropbox is a for-profit business it aggressively
promotes its use by its users. You’ll receive notices about having many files
and photos automatically stored in your Dropbox. While this may seem handy and
nice, it comes at a price. Your Dropbox will soon be full and you will be asked
to sign up for a subscription. To avoid such charges you should limit your use
to an actual transfer. When you know the transfer was successful and completed
remove the file from the Dropbox. This frees up space and makes room for future
transfers. Chances are you’ll never run out of space.
(TIP: You’ll know that the recipient has
accessed the material in the folder as Dropbox sends an email notice of this
activity to you automatically.
When you wish to send someone a large file, you must
create a folder with the file(s) in it, and then drag the folder into your
Dropbox application. Once in you can click on this folder, select what you wish
to do, enter the email address of the recipient and send it. The recipient may
not need to be a registered Dropbox user, however, I have experienced that this
is not always the case based simply on past usage. Therefore it’s highly
suggested that they become s user if at all possible since it is free. They
will receive notification that you sent them a file(s) and can then access it.
If they drag it to their desktop they will always have access to it.
Dropbox is used by thousands of corporations and
individuals alike. It’s fast, safe, economical and an extremely useful tool in
this world of on-demand communications. To subscribe simply go to dropbox.com
or send me an email bob.thegadgeteer.skidmore@gmail.com and I’ll send you an invite. It couldn’t be simpler.
GADGETEER’s RATING: ★★★★★
Bob Skidmore is a freelance
writer, who may be contacted at bob.thegadgeteer.skidmore@gmail.com, or followed at twitter.com/bskidmore for the latest gadget industry news. He does not represent,
or endorse any of the products he reviews and his opinions are solely his
points of view and not those of the manufacturer. The manufacturer generally
supplies products at no cost for the articles and no other compensation is
received. THE GADGETEER is highly selective as to products he feels worthy of
review so as not to waste the reader’s time, thus the reason for many superior
ratings.
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