Dropbox claims to be a very easy to use system to backup your files, sync them across several computers and share them with friends.
Dropbox: Easy Secure Backup, Sync and sharing the thing that makes Dropbox so much easier than other systems is that there is no learning curve and no special handling required: just drop your files in a destined folder on your hard drive and the files are automatically uploaded to the Dropbox servers. Hook up another computer to your Dropbox and it’ll automatically download the files and sync them when you change them. The system comes along with a powerful web interface that not only offers access to your files from any web browser, but also lets you retrieve older versions of a file, or accidentally deleted files. Dropbox should feel very familiar to those who use SVN in their workflow, except that you don’t need to manually check-in and check-out files to keep them synced. A helpful feature is that before uploading an updated file, it will compare and check and only upload those bits of the file that were actually changed, saving a lot of bandwidth. Luckily, you aren’t confronted with any of the technicalities, it just “does stuff” and works and you don’t need to care.
Setup was surprisingly quick and painless. Also, I recommend that you don’t create and edit new files within your Dropbox folder, as its automatic upload does not have a delay and will start uploading before you’ve even given the file a name.
All in all I’m quite satisfied with Dropbox and it is something I use regularly. Its ease of use guarantees that it won’t require your full attention or slowdowns to your workflow, making it one of those little tools you just won’t want to miss.
The greatest feature for me is the ease of being able to sync titanium backup to my Dropbox account. This recently saved me allot of grief when my SD card went bad recently.
There's already a dropbox thread here: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=840940
Related
How to create an intranet on Droid X or Android
Hi, I'm a newbie and hope this has not been asked before. I have transferred 20,000 + html files and some pdf files (consisting of primarily text) to my Droid X. They are stored in a folder on my SD card. I can locate the folder. However, all of the file managers require that the entire folder be read before I can even dream of opening one of the files in that folder for viewing.
After an interminable wait, I see all of the 20,000 plus files but cannot get to the one I want to open which links to the other files. In other words, I have 20,000 + files on my SD card that, effectively speaking, I can neither access nor view. This is a database of legal cases and statutes, etc. which I need for my work. I would love to be able to search for specific text as well but first things first. On my office and home computers, these files are conveniently linked by a html menu system (local html files) which permits easy and rapid access. I would like to re-create this menu system and the ease of use on my Droid X. Essentially, what I need is the ability to create a local intranet on my Droid X using one of the Droid browers (e.g. Dolphin, Opera, Galpagos, etc.)
I have tried the local webserver solution which is inadequate and too cumbersome. Obviously, the Android file managers are hopeless for this task.
If this problem cannot be solved, I am faced with two other undesirable situations. 1. I can
open an account on a cloud server and upload my files to it, which would probably permit me to access them by my Droid X the way that any web page on the Web can be accessed. The other solution is using a remote access type program to access my office or home computer to see the files. From previous experience with the latter option (using my office computer from my home computer), it is painfully slow. Since I have roughly 4 gigs of html data I want to access, I would prefer to avoid the (albeit minimal) expense of a subscription for use of a cloud.
Any advice which would permit me to quickly and efficiently access and view my html files on the Droid would be most appreciated. Free apps, if applicable, would be preferred, but I am getting desperate. I have tried webservers, eg I-Jetty, etc., and I have tried Astro File manager and similar apps. They do not even come close to what I want. I have learned that Android has forbidden this kind of access/viewing (the kind I need) due to security concerns.
Any apps? Any fixes? Workarounds?
Essentially, what I seek to do is transfer what is akin to an intranet on my office and home computers on my Droid X. Please offer any advice.
Thanks to one and all.
Phil
Sounds like what you want is actually a web server app for Android. I did a quick Google, and it looks like there are some apps that can do that for you. So long as you don't open any ports on your phone, the site shouldn't be accessible from outside your phone (but I could be wrong about that).
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&q=android+web+server
In theory this is simple. In reality, especially given the enhancements to google docs in recent months, this is rather complex. The new "collections" feature basically allows you to create a pseudo-file system within Docs, opening a world of possibilities for cloud storage. Cloud storage services are ubiquitous, but none offer storage for the price google does, unlimited services not-withstanding. ($5/20GB/year if you didn't know). So with this, google docs now allows uploads of any file type, and will even let you play back several media types in the browser. The problem is, there are no apps (that i have found) that are able to take advantage of both of these enhancements. Quickoffice seems to read the folder nesting correctly, but seems to only let me upload document-type files. Same goes for DocsToGo. Gdocs is a no-go, as is Docs Pics. Furthermore, these apps require you to do the whole copy > navigate to other directory > paste shenanigans...which i suppose i could live with if it actually worked. So then, anyone have a clever solution to this issue? No doubt google has new API's to take advantage of these features, somebody just has to scoop them up and run with em. I'd be willing to pay for this app, and i'm sure many others would as well. Let me know what you guys think.
I have been looking for the same thing since October 2010. I read briefly somewhere that you need to be a Google Apps paid user to be able to use the API to upload any file type. I can use QuickOffice to copy my MP3 files from Google Docs to my phone, but not the other way around. Even if Google allowed me to use the Android web browser to upload an any file type file to Google Docs, it would least be a start! My browser keeps crashing every time I try to use the desktop web interface. I am hoping the Google Docs Android app will include this feature someday!
How do you get to transfer in the easiest way - songs from an android device to a fully unlocked Nokia Lumia 710?
also..
Where do the attachments in my hotmail get saved on my local phone storage? I have fully unlocked L710 and HTC Titan. Someone sent me a few clips attached to hotmail. I can play it from my email attachment but would like to find the folder where it is locally stored after download, and then be able to play the content from Zune. Is there any homebrew app for such file management? I have File Explorer, but don't know where these attachments can be found, then moved so that they are playable in Zune Hub.
this is a great question that I would also like to know the answer to. There has to be some way to mount the storage and manage it from a pc like you can with Android.
Skywalker134 said:
this is a great question that I would also like to know the answer to. There has to be some way to mount the storage and manage it from a pc like you can with Android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did not really bother trying to find the answer. But someone who uses Android in my family tried to send me a few clips of music that I really really wanted to hear. Now ofcourse I have got it via bluetooth and that I can access. However, he sent a few more by email as my bluetooth transfer was slow. I had presumed I can find these songs in the same place. BUT nope!
However, here is my progress.
File explorer -> Applications data -> Volatile -> Email attachments -> go to each folder. Each folder represents one attachment.
So I was happy after posting this that I found where the attachments are.
However, when I copy and paste the same under my Zune contents, I cannot see it in my Zune Hub and cannot ofcourse play it from Zune hub!
Zune on the phone uses a database of media files. Merely moving your files under \My Documents\Zune\Content\* isn't going to help. The only way that I know of to add arbitrary files is to copy them to the PC, then sync them using the PC Zune software. Nobody has yet figured out how to do it more directly, although I'm sure it's possible.
Mounting the phone as USB Mass Storage is just not even vaguely likely to happen. The amount of driver writing and re-configuration that would be needed... I don't think you realize what you're asking for. There are deinitely options, though; for example, my Root Webserver app lets you browse the phone's filesystem (including uplodaing and downloading files) from your PC. You just have to use a web browser instead of a traditional file manager.
GoodDayToDie said:
Zune on the phone uses a database of media files. Merely moving your files under \My Documents\Zune\Content\* isn't going to help. The only way that I know of to add arbitrary files is to copy them to the PC, then sync them using the PC Zune software. Nobody has yet figured out how to do it more directly, although I'm sure it's possible.
Mounting the phone as USB Mass Storage is just not even vaguely likely to happen. The amount of driver writing and re-configuration that would be needed... I don't think you realize what you're asking for. There are deinitely options, though; for example, my Root Webserver app lets you browse the phone's filesystem (including uplodaing and downloading files) from your PC. You just have to use a web browser instead of a traditional file manager.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That does add some light to the scenario! Thanks!
So does that mean that even though we do have homebrew file explorers, we cannot really control our attachments i.e. sandbox issue? I have realised in last two days that our file explorer functionally isn't same as those traditional WM6.5 or Android ones. Hence theoratically speaking yes we do have file explorer but not to its full functionality..which leads me to another question. So ideally what do you use your file explorer for?
Aside from aiding my research and testing my hacks, here are a few things I use file browsers for:
Copying ebook files (.MOBI and .PRC) to the Kindle directory.
Manually editing the Marketplace configuration files (for example, some downloads are even bigger than the 200 MB that Marketplace Config will allow you to specify).
Freeing up space on the phone's storage (deleting temprorary files of my choosing, rather than simply purging the whole phone).
Backing up application data to my PC.
Turning music files into ringtones/alarms/etc.
A number of these can currently be automated using apps, and there are others that could be more useful to other people, but that's what I've found to be useful.
Content Transfer
Well I have been in same situation , I went with wifi transfer option,caz its quite secured and helpful for content transfer, like you can use smartIO App, which is good op
drupad2drupad said:
How do you get to transfer in the easiest way - songs from an android device to a fully unlocked Nokia Lumia 710?
also..
Where do the attachments in my hotmail get saved on my local phone storage? I have fully unlocked L710 and HTC Titan. Someone sent me a few clips attached to hotmail. I can play it from my email attachment but would like to find the folder where it is locally stored after download, and then be able to play the content from Zune. Is there any homebrew app for such file management? I have File Explorer, but don't know where these attachments can be found, then moved so that they are playable in Zune Hub.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, as of 60 days form now, free sugarsync accounts will be forced to be paid, and we have 6 days to take advantage of a special 19$ for the first year / 75$ per year after that for 60 gb.... For anyone who has used the sugarsync app on android, you know that most bugs that did not render the app unusable, and many fairly basic feature requests were ignored over the past two years (see the whole syncing to SD card debacle). I get that the idea is more money - less free-loaders = better service, but there is no way that I will pay before they can prove they can provide a solid service. So.... Let's share our alternatives for those who need to rework their file syncing setup!
In the last 3 hours since I got my sugarsync ultimatum, I have found 3 possibilities (one that works great, and two that I have not fully tested yet).
1- (works great! better than sugarsync)
-Use google drive (15GB minimum if you haven't gotten some bonus of some kind over the years for being early adopters)
-This allows you to use drive sync on desktops
-You can then use Foldersync to sync on your android device
2-
Goodsync. This is paid software, but I prefer one time payments for a system I control. This is more of a "sync when you need" setup, and won't do everything automatically for you on android (but it will on desktops), but allows for unlimited space because you use your computer's hard drive as your main source of data... down side, the goodsync android app is still a long way from being on par with the sugarsync or the foldersync apps
3-
Other services with folder sync (paid version if you want to use multiple accounts at once). I have not yet tried it with services other than google drive, but I do use a similar services on my desktop that consolidate cloud drives, so I don't see why it would not work on android. If the storage provider you want to use does not support syncing, the goodsync app for desktop connects to almost any online storage provider, so you can have a reliable way to sync to the cloud, and then foldersync does the equivalent job on your android device.
Once people have added their alternatives, I will create a poll so fellow users can see the favorite solutions at a glance.
Cheers!
Uninstalling SugarSync tonight!
you can try Google drive or dropbox
pidjong said:
you can try Google drive or dropbox
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
problem with google drive android app is that you have to manually sync each file, which is not so good if your goal is to have important files accessible at all times. I am quite happy with the drive + foldersync app though.
How is dropbox as far as selective folder syncing?
I'm getting to learn more and more about Dropbox since it came with a generous bonus storage on the Note 2 -if only for 2 years or so.
Also I read about Copy.com which comes with a 15gigs free + 5gig referral bonus (use the link in my sig if anyone wants both of us to benefit) though I'm not quite sure how well the sync'ing is so far. I think you can sync specific files but haven't fully tested it yet.
Mediafire is funny in that they are advertising their services anywhere there is new about Sugarsync giving up free plans but I haven't looked into them yet.
I'm also open to see what other people are using.
I've been using dropbox for a few years and upgraded to business package for my company since a few months ago. It works great for us.
Dropbox + Dropsync
Sent from my SGH-I747M using xda app-developers app
does anyone else doing this find that dropsync has a hard time keeping large folders up to date? For my biggest one it takes nearly 40 minutes to confirm that nothing has changed.
i'm using Google Drive and Dropbox
I'll be moving to Dropbox and Google drive for things like documents, temporary storage of photos, titanium backups, etc. I've started using Crashplan for backing up my very large photo and video archive.
Sugarsync was nice, but as someone who's heavily promoted them and have dozens of referrals to my name, I feel betrayed that they would do this, even as a paying costumer who uses free accounts for my daughter and wife.
Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk
gc84245 said:
Dropbox + Dropsync
Sent from my SGH-I747M using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check out Folder Sync, I was going to buy Dropsync but Folder Sync seems more versatile and cheaper.
I've moved to Copy
I've moved to Copy with it's 20GB free file sync & sharing with this referral link. It's like dropbox but with 10x more free storage. It has a single folder like Dropbox. I've used junction.exe from sysinternals to map from some of my existing folder locations to the Copy folder.
I particularly like that it has a feature that was missing in Sugarsync and that is 'view only' sharing.
Cheers,
Mark
Go for Dropbox, Box, Google Drive, Dev-st(devloper host) & many more are there
Sent from my SM-N900 using Tapatalk
Here are really nice and most informative post. I am totally agree with you and would like to say thanks to you that you share this post here with us.
JohnSteave said:
Here are really nice and most informative post. I am totally agree with you and would like to say thanks to you that you share this post here with us.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Instead of saying thanks just press the thanks tab.
This will save the post count and space in XDA
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@marky1124
Thanks for the tip, I didin't know Copy.
I just had a look at it and it seems promising but I have one question. Does it automatically sync any folder you choose or only photos and videos?
From the description on the play store it seems only photos and videos are automatically synced....
Thanks,
Soda
marky1124 said:
I've moved to Copy with it's 20GB free file sync & sharing with this referral link. It's like dropbox but with 10x more free storage. It has a single folder like Dropbox. I've used junction.exe from sysinternals to map from some of my existing folder locations to the Copy folder.
I particularly like that it has a feature that was missing in Sugarsync and that is 'view only' sharing.
Cheers,
Mark
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Soda_47 said:
@marky1124
Thanks for the tip, I didin't know Copy.
I just had a look at it and it seems promising but I have one question. Does it automatically sync any folder you choose or only photos and videos?
From the description on the play store it seems only photos and videos are automatically synced....
Thanks,
Soda
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Soda,
I started out using Copy on PC first, I placed a few files in my Copy directory on my PC. When I installed the Copy app on my Android phone it automatically copied all of my files onto my Phone. So it by default sync'd all my files between my PC and my phone. In the app settings you can tick an option called 'PhotoCopy' which then automatically copies all new photos taken on your phone into your Copy folder and sync's them to the cloud (by default it does this only on wifi connectivity).
I hope this helps,
All the best,
Cheers,
Mark
I'm still looking at alternatives. The option to sync any folder and choose with whom to share it was the best thing from Sugarsync service.
From what I read only 3 other companies give the same option directly:
Bitcasa
Tresorit
Wuala
Anyone uses/used one of these services?
I use Dropbox, however I combine it with FolderSync on Android together with "App Backup & Restore" so that my newly installed apps can be synced to Dropbox right away. I recommend this combination.
@marky1124
Thanks for the reply, it's what I wanted to know .
@Karsa
I will look into the alternatives and give a feedback. But for now, I'm using Foldersync with Skydrive.
Although I'm really sorry to see SugarSync go, I believe Dropbox is the best alternative way to go.
Six months ago, I gave up on the latest version of ES and reinstalled the old version. About a month ago, I was invited to try the ES Beta. I was curious about what they might have changed in this newest version, so I said OK.
I have to say, in the Beta, the new interface looks a little crowded, but I don’t care that much about looks. What I really think is important is if an app is useful or not.
Every time I want to download a new file or transfer a file from my laptop to my phone, I can't immediately find it in the library. It really bothered me. I tried quite a few file-management apps, but nothing really worked the way I wanted it to. Until now. I found that the ES 4.1 Beta solved this file issue. Every single change about the number of files is displayed on the home screen, and the library shows which file was “Last opened” and which was the “Last created.”
ES move Encrypt and Compress to the home screen in the Beta. Former users may remember that ES had these two functions before, but if you wanted to find Encrypted or Compressed files, you had to press and hold on files before doing anything. In this Beta version, you can manage all these files right on the home screen.
I’m always transferring files with my co-workers. Due to security concerns, we always encrypt those files first. The ES Beta encrypts files by masking the file names without zipping them. It also supports encrypting zip files. When the file is too large, I’ll choose this way. Unlike other file management apps, ES is more stable when encrypting files, decreasing the possibility of damaging the file. It’s the best app for your zip and rar archives.
Logger displays newly created files on the device. Actually, I don’t find this essential for daily use, but I found it could monitor auto-created files. Now, I check logger every day, just in case some files downloaded themselves. It’s very useful for people who are used to deleting these files themselves. It will save some space, but logger loads slower at first start-up. I found that after unlocking Real-Time Observer, it would load in less than 2 seconds.
This new version doesn’t support theme changing yet. Classic themes and Holo themes can’t be used, either. I left feedback for ES about this. They promised new themes will be coming soon, and I’m sure they won't let their users down.
Duplicate of this thread.
Closing...