cloud storage Archives - Page 3 of 3

If you don’t already know by now, I’m a fan of the DropBox cloud storage app/service that allows me to store files in the cloud AND synchronize my files across ALL my devices. DropBox even allows for sharing files with other DropBox users.

But what if the other person is not a DropBox user? If you want to receive a file to add to your DropBox directory from somebody who is not using DropBox, you have to go through the normal challenge of sending it via email (and praying it’s small enough), or using another download site where you are bombarded with a 5000 eleven ads, and other various un-solicited software to download. Once you get the file, you have to upload it DropBox yourself.

If you use DropBox heavy like me and need a simple way to receive files, check out AirDropper – the neat little service that allows you to receive files and send them directly to DropBox.

It works like this: You go to the AirDropper site and connect it to your DropBox account. Don’t worry, AirDropper does not access your files. It simply creates a secure upload site where the recipient of the site (the person you are requesting the file from) can upload the file you are requesting. Once you enter your email address and recipient’s email address and a brief description of the file, they are sent an email with the site where they upload the file.

Once they upload the file, AirDropper doesn’t send you the file to then upload to DropBox, it is actually uploading the file to your DropBox directory using a special “AirDropper” folder. You just go into the AirDropper folder and do what you want with the file. Once you receive the file, it is synched and made available to all your other devices running DropBox.

No software to download, no special instructions to send, no jumping through hoops to receive/get access to a file. The AirDropper service is currently in beta, so they are currently testing things out. One of the things they are aware of and working on is the ability to upload multiple files instead of just one at a time. One thing they are NOT working on is putting a cap on the size of the file you want to send. On the site, they claim to have sent/receive a 75mb file with hopes of supporting 100mb file transfers. So rest assured, it’s highly likely you will get that PowerPoint presentation you requested. Additionally, AirDropper promises secure file transfers to the tune of industry-standard SSL encryption at each stage of the request process. Once the file is sent, AirDropper does not store/archive any files. What you see in DropBox is the only copy out there!

I did mention it’s free (for now) to use AirDropper right?

If you are using DropBox, try them out and send feedback so those guys (and gals I’m assuming) can get out of beta and provide their hardcore users (I plan to be one) with a nice, smooth, and simple AirDropper service to receive files directly to DropBox.

Most of time when I need to do something with an invoice, I am sitting in front of ~~The Precious~~ my laptop, so it never dawned on me that I may be out and about and need to make a quick change on my iPad or my BlackBerry (still waiting to see if Apple will fix the “death grip”). So last night I messed around with opening up a document, editing it and sending it out in an email or saving it for later all on my iPad.

It didn’t take me very long to find the right combination. I am already experimenting with keeping all of my business documents stored in the cloud with Dropbox so I can access all my files no matter what device I am using…and yes, I back it up offline. But that [Dropbox] is mainly for accessing, sharing, and backing up files. The missing link was finding the right app that allowed me to edit files found in my Dropbox, and saving them back to their current locations or emailing them to a potential client. So, I looked on Dropbox’s site to find a list of “friendlies” that worked with Dropbox, and boom, DocsToGo was on the list.

If you are not familiar with DocsToGo, they have been in the mobile documents game for a minute. Since the evolution of smart phones, DocsToGo has given mobile users the ability to open, edit and share documents via many mobile devices.

The cool thing about the DropBox/DocsToGo combination is you can skip the whole “download a document first, then open up an app that can access the file you downloaded, then open up the document, then edit the document, save it, then open up your email client, then find the new document, then send it.” If I am just looking at a document in and decide “hey I need to change something”, I can simply click the “Open With” button and DocsToGo (if installed and configured) will open the document so I can make the changes. When I am done and ready to save, I can save it right to Dropbox. If I want to share the document, DocsToGo will immediately open up my email client to send.

I am a neat freak when it comes to documents. So the ability to keep all my documents in Dropbox, and use DocsToGo, regardless of the device, to open, edit, and share my documents is a must. With DocsToGo and Dropbox, keeping all my files in sync with the many devices I use, in addition to editing and sharing those documents regardless of what device I use, is a match made in mobile productivity heaven.

Now If I only could print the darn thing…

If you have any suggestions or know of any other combinations out there, drop in and leave a comment to let us know what works best for you?