Dropbox - Cool (free) Tool for Sharing Files

If you have to send video  or audio files to colleagues, clients, vendors or a virutal assistant, you know it can be a pain. It can be slow and if the file is real big, it can cost you a few bucks. Enter Dropbox.

When  I discovered Dropbox a few months ago, I stopped using other file sharing sites.

When I do a video blog review with a client, the file that's generated is HUGE. I would have to pay to send it via YouSendIt. With Dropbox, I don't as long as my free account has not exceeded 2GB.

When you set up an account online, you are encouraged to also download a desktop app on all your computers. I have it installed on a desktop and a netbook so I can manage large file transfers anywhere.

Drag your file to the Dropbox folder on your computer and it automatically syncs with your online account. Next, you can share a specific folder with your client so they can access and download the file. They only get access to the folder you specify; they have no access to any other files in your account.

Essentially you upload to Drobox and your client downloads from Dropbox. Most email systems do not support sending large files so this is a fast, easy work-around.

Once the recipient has downloaded the file, you can delete it from your account.

Here are a few ways to use Dropbox:

• Send a video greeting to a new client
• Use a folder to exchange files with you blog & graphic designers or jv partners
• Send your video and audio files to your VA so they do the distribution for you
• Send your large powerpoint files to event managers for your speaking gigs
• Upload files you may need when you're traveling so you can access them from your laptop or netbook. You don't have to transfer to a thumb drive and then remember to take the drive with you!
• Send weekly video lessons to your clients (you can give folder access to multiple people

Your files are automatically backed up so if anything happens to your computer, any files you've uploaded to Dropbox are safe.

It's an easy, seemless system and I haven't had any problems with the connection timing out or it taking 10 hours to upload a file. All in all a great solution for sharing large files of all types. Set up a free Dropbox account and let me know what you think.

Do you have a favorite file sharing system? Share your resources in the comments, please!

Tweet

Comments

[Randi Destefano]

Denise,

I've been using Dropbox since July when a friend recommended it. I can't tell you how much time I've saved in that time! With a laptop and a pc, I was constantly transferring files with a thumbdrive - back and forth. Then I would forget what was transferred and what wasn't. But the best discovery was when I learned I could download the app to my iphone. Now I have my files everywhere!!! Hmmmmm....is that good or bad?

[Denise Wakeman]

Thanks, Randi for pointing out you can also install Dropbox on your iPhone, iPad and Android phone (just did that) so you can access your files anytime, anywhere. Never know when you're going to need that spreadsheet!

[Elizabeth H. Cottrell]

I am thrilled to be reminded of this program -- had heard of it, but never with a trusted endorsement. It will save me over $100 a year in YouSendIt fees, because I was regularly needing more file size capacity than the free version of YouSendIt. The ease of sharing files between computers in my own household is an added bonus! Thanks so much.