Cloud storage services like Dropbox are one of the best things to ever happen to the internet, however most people simply see it as a backup-only medium. Well, there’s more you can do than just backup stuff. Here are 3 lesser-known uses:
1. Portable App Launcher
If you have portable apps that have information you need to be synchronized across multiple computers, install them to your Dropbox folder.
For example, Miranda can run completely self-contained, and being it stores all your contacts locally, this is a good app to have synchronized with Dropbox.
2. Firefox and Chrome Sync
Both these browsers store everything in a single profile directory on your computer, and both can be modified with a single switch to house that directory in your Dropbox folder instead. By doing this you can sync multiple computers to use the same profile folder synchronized by Dropbox.
Instructions for Firefox
Instructions for Chrome
Important note: If you elect to do this, only one computer can access a profile folder at any given time, and both computers must be running "like" OSes (such as Windows XP and Windows 7 or Ubuntu and Arch) due to the fact browsers store things differently depending on platform.
Additional note for Chrome specifically: Make sure to use the disk-cache-size option when launching Chrome so you don’t run out of space in your Dropbox folder. Firefox’s cache size limit can be set directly in browser options.
3. Easy-sharing of.. anything!
Files in your Dropbox folder are private by default, however if you want to share out any file from that location, simply right-click and click Get Shareable Link, like this:
Your web browser will open and you will be given a link that you can use anywhere, be it email, instant message, chat room or whatever you want. Share a document, photo or any other file you wish. It goes without saying this is far better and easier than attaching a file to an email.
This is truly a lesser-known feature of Dropbox because most people who use the service don’t know all it takes it a right-click/share to get the link.
Important note: Try not to share huge files, else you will receive a nastygram from Dropbox for using too much of their bandwidth. Stick to smaller files if you can.
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