Comments on: Dropbox Review

By: Mark Shead

Mark Shead — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:58:34 +0000

On passwords used for verifying a user’s identity, you are correct. However to decrypt a file and serve it back through a web page, the server will have to have the decryption key in memory. The only way around that would be to server the file back in its encrypted state and let client side software handle the decryption process–something that presents a barrier for the average user.

By: discordian

discordian — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 10:31:50 +0000

Just FYI, server does not need to store your password in order to confirm it is correct. Not on the disk, neither in memory. Doing otherwise is just stupid as intrepid hackers could steal lists of passwords for their nefarious uses.

By: peteyb

peteyb — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:32:06 +0000

thanks. i would be interested in finding out the results of your investigation.

By: Mark Shead

Mark Shead — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:02:44 +0000

Good to know. However, if their server never knew anything about your password, I’m not sure how they could offer the ability to download files from the web without having something installed on that computer to decrypt them. Maybe it just holds your password in memory temporarily while the web session is open and then removes it. I’ll have to check this out in more detail. Thanks for the link.

By: peteyb

peteyb — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:19:58 +0000

i thought dropbox did offer encryption and here’s some info from their site:

“All files stored on Dropbox servers are encrypted (AES-256) and are inaccessible without your account password”

https://www.dropbox.com/help/27

By: Neil

Neil — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:08:59 +0000

A folder, but not folders.

By: the wizzard

the wizzard — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:47:10 +0000

“you can’t pick and choose existing folders to sync with Dropbox without moving them to the Dropbox folder.”
you can actually pick a folder when you set it up.

By: Felipe

Felipe — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:34:36 +0000

Hi Barbara

It works perfectly well. In our company we have Macs, Windows and Linux desktops. We have some shared folders and we all can access, view and update documents on those shared folders.

By: Gigi

Gigi — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 16:08:54 +0000

If you want encrypted backup look at crashplan. http://www.crashplan.com I have been very happy with it. They have an economical family plan that allows you to backup a families worth of computers to their site.

By: Review of DropBox Updated : Productivity501

Review of DropBox Updated : Productivity501 — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 16:02:01 +0000

[...] updated our review of Dropbox after using it a bit more. If you need to sync or share data, it is worth reading. If you liked [...]

By: Dropbox Review

Dropbox Review — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 04:12:58 +0000

[...] review of Dropbox after using it a bit more. Cancel [...]

By: Amit

Amit — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 19:58:57 +0000

I must say, I am mighty impressed with the concept of DropBox. I have multiple operating systems on multiple pcs and have to systematically track the changes I make. This absolutely solves my problem and I look forward to the sharing concept. Next to Spotify, this looks set to be my second favourite app.

By: Dropbox

Dropbox — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:47:46 +0000

It’s perfect service. We use it for share all projects files between our team

By: Curt Carmack

Curt Carmack — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 23:07:19 +0000

Barbara, Dropbox works well in this context. I have it running on a Mac mini, Dell laptop running Ubuntu Linux, IBM laptop running Windows XP, and a home-built Windows desktop running Windows XP. Examining the checkboxes for status works well, but you can also see the time of the last save in Windows Explorer, in the Mac Finder, or in a Linux file manager. That gives you details of when the last revisions were made (this information is also accessible on the web).

For people who need more than 2 GB of space, I recommend SugarSync. You’ll pay for it, but you can keep very large folders syncronized that way (I think it’s $5/mo for 30 GB, and you can go all the way up to 250 GB for $25/mo). It’s not quite as fast at Dropbox but is more flexible and provides more options. On the other hand, it does not run on Linux.

Curt

By: Barbara E

Barbara E — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 17:53:41 +0000

I”d like to ask Bill: is this a good solution for working between a MAC laptop and a desktop PC? The desktop PC is a 2004 running Windows XP. I’ll be replaced it but not immediately. My main interest in this program is the green checks so that I can easily see if Word or Excel or Powerpoint files have been edited on the other machine.

I also don’t want to rely on the cloud. I am working mostly on the MAC with Microsoft Office for MAC, by the way. Thanks in advance for your reply.