Dropbox – My Stuff Where I Need It [Review]

This post/review is courtesy of guest contributor, Jerry of mochaSync.com

I will be the first to admit it—I drink the Apple flavored Kool-Aid. Still, there are things I just can’t seem to justify; like the cost MobileMe. There seems to be plenty of free or low-cost alternatives to cloud computing and file management. Today, I will be talking about my favorite: Dropbox.
First, here’s a little about what kind of user I am. I have two laptops: one Mac Book Air and an HP that shall remain nameless (because it sucks). I also have a Blackberry and an iPhone. I work in an IT department which has no less than 32 projects going on simultaneously, I run my own wanna-be software development company and I manage my own band. So I have a lot going on in an average day. I need to be able to reference documents, songs, or ideas from anywhere, on any platform. Dropbox accomplishes this without missing a beat (no pun intended).

At work, I uploaded the most needed document – a monthly report – that I constantly need to modify. If I get a few minutes between tasks, I try to update the report as best as I can (hope my boss doesn’t read that). Having my report ‘in the box’ helps me avoid version conflicts between both laptops. It also comes in handy when I need to deploy a package to a user—no matter if I am at my desk or at home.

With my band, the very first thing I did was upload the newest idea we’ve recorded. Not only can I reference this at home when practicing, but I could use the Public Folder to share it with the rest of the band. Bam! A new collaboration method! No need for long email chains, emailing attachments and cluttering my inbox. This feature also works really well with photos and families! I take pictures of my daughter all the time—like every other parent does. By uploading those precious pictures that I took on my iPhone, I am able to share the whole lot of them with others like that relative I never remember the name of but somehow I have an email for. Of course the email doesn’t contain any hints to her name… oh and she barely can operate the computer, so why she has an email, I will never know…

Anyhow, the sharing is one of my favorite features. This feature alone sold me as a ‘home’ user. I needed a free alternative that doesn’t cloud up the user experience with “buy this as a print for $0.99 – limited time offer” BS. This is perfect for the minimalist in me, and that nameless relative of mine – damn it what is her name?!

Which brings me to my last big selling point – the user experience. Dropbox has made it so easy to share, from any place in the world that has an Internet connection, that it should be a crime to not check out this service. There is absolutely no clutter to the website, the Public Galleries, or the iPhone app. They’ve managed to turn a fairly intimidating service for most people into one that actually makes you feel welcomed – no matter your experience level. Yet, at its core, Dropbox is extremely powerful. Initial setup was a breeze and synchronizing the file changes is instantaneous and transparent on each platform.

Document management and photo sharing is only the tip of the iceberg. With the paid subscription options, which yield larger capacity accounts (50gig / 100gig), power users could use scripts to backup critical files and projects. Team sharing for work environments becomes easier and less tedious—users of SharePoint should identify with this point.

Whether you just need to share a few files here and there, or whether you are on the go at all times, Dropbox is a solid choice. With cross platform support, mobile access and a superb user interface, Dropbox is at the top of the list.

Dropbox can be downloaded here: http://www.getdropbox.com/

Apple, We Need to Talk… Again.

What is going on with you, guy? You have like, split personality disorder or something. First you approve “Baby Shaker”, then you deny our poor, defenseless CrudeBox app. Where is your judgment at these days?

Apple, I checked my GReader this morning to find that you’re at it again! I scroll down and see this story about Porn finally being available in the app store. I was floored. This might be the first time in history when a man was upset by porn. Do you know why I was upset?

If you don’t recall: a few days back (for the 4th time) — you denied our second and third soundboard application. And for the same reason as before, it was denied due to offensive content — even after it was submitted as a 17+ application! We did that despite not having ONE swear word in the application — not even an insinuation that couldn’t be found in a PG-13 movie! When I found out that you denied the application again, I was pissed. Hell – I’m livid (for those of you keeping track at home, that’s like pissed x10).

WAIT. THIS JUST IN: The Hottest Girls app was just removed from the App store. Color me not surprised. This is like Baby Shaker all over again. You sure know how to get good PR!

Anyway, I hope you’re still listening because I’m about to say what you haven’t said in the past few months, despite speculation. Explicit content (content not dealing with unicorns or rainbows) will never be allowed in the App Store (well, unless someone ‘accidentally’ lets it slip through — but that doesn’t count — it seems to always get pulled within 24 hours). Again, for those of you keeping track at home and in the blogosphere — you’re thinking: ‘But Apple released Parental Controls in iPhone OS 3.0 — they have to let explicit content through, what else would the 17+ rating feature be used for?!’. That my friends, is called smoke and mirrors. Think about it logically — there are still going to be iPhone OS 2.0 legacy devices in the hands of the generally public that aren’t going to be upgraded at any point in the near future. Without the upgrade, the phone isn’t compatible with parental controls, thus not compatible with explicit applications. Could Apple make it so you are forced to upgrade to 3.0? In short, no. They cannot force iPod Touch users to pay $10 for the upgrade. Could they make it so explicit apps are only allowed to be downloaded to 3.0 devices? Sure. Will they? No. Why would Apple have any intentions on segmenting the App Store when they won’t even respond to the use of the parental control system built into 3.0. Seriously Apple, please tell me, how do you plan on using parental controls if you don’t have the intellectual fortitude to allow a “rated” apps into the App Store.

Apple, you never cease to amaze me.