- English
- EspañolBesides Google Docs, I have been using Dropbox and Box.Net the last months. Both are online storage and sharing applications and have similarities. Let’s talk about them and how I personally use them.
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It syncs your files online and across your computers and has a cross-platform client (Windows, Mac, and Linux).
Operation
You have to install the Dropbox client. When installing you will need to define a Dropbox folder. Once installed, any file you drop into your Dropbox folder will synchronize and be available on any other computer you’ve installed Dropbox on, as well as from the web. Also, any changes you make to files in your Dropbox will sync to your other computers, instantly. Work on files in your Dropbox even if you’re offline. Your changes sync once your computer has an Internet connection again.
For sharing with other users, put the folders you want to share in your Dropbox folder and invite people to them. Another option is to place your files in “Public” folder that lets you link directly to files in your Dropbox. You can also send people links to specific files within your Dropbox.
Advantages
- File Sync and sharing
- Online Backup (Undo/Undelete/Restore)
- History (30 days of undo history, with unlimited undo available as a paid option)
- Web Access. From any computer or mobile device.
- Security and privacity. Shared folders are viewable only by people you invite. SSL for transmission, file encryption (AES-256). Dropbox employees are not able to view any user’s files.
Storage space
2GB of online storage for free, with up to 100GB available to paying customers.
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It is a web-based service for content management, file sharing and collaboration. Not client needed so perfect for multi-platform environments.
Operation
Go to Box.Net page and set up your account. After this, behavior is very similar to Google Docs. Create new web documents and organize them in folders. Upload files from your computer. Share your files with other users or all the world.
Advantages
- File sharing, online workspaces
- Online Backup and history
- Web Access. From any computer or mobile device.
- Security. Data transmission is encrypted with 256-bit SSL
- Customizable. Add extra services or widgets.
- File commenting and group discussion
Storage space
1 GB of online storage for free, 5, 10 or more GB available to paying customers.
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Applications
- Replace emailing file attachments to yourself and other people
- Stop using USB drives to move files between computers
- Rename files to keep a history of previous versions
- Forget complicated backup software
- Use instead of FTP servers or another system-specific sharing methods.
- Team work, team projects, collaboration
Then, what are some of their main differences?
With Box.Net you don’t need a client but you always need an Internet connection. On the other hand, Dropbox needs a client, but this enables you to work offline and this is a very useful advantage.
Box.Net has a lot of extra services and widgets that Dropbox hasn’t. That’s is because, I believe, Box.Net is very focus on collaborative work.
Because of that I uses Dropbox to keep synchronized my personal files between all my computers. With Box.Net and using an extra widget I share documents and files to my blog’s readers.
Here is a comparison between these two tools and others
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File_hosting_service#Comparison_of_notable_file_hosting_services
Have you tried these or any other online storage applications?
What is your favorite one?
