Never email yourself a file again!

I read through articles every day over at two of my favorite websites: Lifehacker & MakeUseOf. There are frequently posts about many ways Dropbox can be used to save photos, videos, and music online which can then be shared easily or kept private. Up until recently I didn't really think I needed anything like this until I started designing this website. Most of my site is built on the Google Sites and Blogger platforms. Free storage with Google limited to 1GB unless you upgrade to a paid account. I realized that Dropbox might be a good way to expand my storage capacity to support Net-Maven, so I started looking into how it worked. I was surprised to find a simple and easy to access service!

So what is DropBox?

Dropbox is a free service that lets you store photos, docs, and videos which can kept private or shared easily with family or friends. Any file you save to your account will automatically save to all your computers, mobile devices, as well as the Dropbox website. Never email yourself a file again! Manage your files with Windows / Mac desktop or by free apps available for iOS device, Android, and Blackberry. Dropbox is also useful as a place to backup your files online and can be used to quickly restore files in case of loss.

Each new account starts with 2GB of storage space for free and you have the ability to add an additional 8GB via friend referrals (or up to 16GB explained below).

Now what?

Please consider using my Dropbox Referral link to sign up so we both get a 250MB bonus! You will be directed to a Welcome to Dropbox! page that includes a very good overview video and registration form. Fill in the form and click "Register". The website will take you step by step through to the desktop software installation.

When you're finished you will have a Dropbox folder on your computer that acts like any other folder, except it syncs everything inside to your Dropbox account. Drag and drop…that's it. You can access files from any of your connected devices or directly from Dropbox.com.

Want more space?

The first thing I started checking into after registering was how to get more space for free. Here are a few ways you can use start increasing your capacity from the 2GB provided.

1. Refer a Friend - Send your friends or family an invitation so that they can use your Dropbox Referral link so you both a 250MB bonus!

2. Getting Started - Once you sign up done forget to complete the Get Started check list to get another 250MB.

3. Add .edu Email - When you have a .edu email added to your account, every friend referral will double the bonus to 500MB each. Retroactive!! Go to http://www.dropbox.com/edu to find out more. The best thing about this option is that your referral limit is increased from 8GB to 16GB.

4. Social Networking - You can get up to 640MB when you go to http://www.dropbox/free and connect your Facebook or Twitter account, Follow them on Twitter, Tweet, or just tell them why you like Dropbox. Easy and it doesn't take away from your Referral quota.

5. Special Events - Dropbox occasionally offers promotional bonus storage (recently a Scavenger Hunt)


Net-Maven Recommends:

I've really been impressed with how simplistic Dropbox can be and still provide a good platform to share and store files. You don't have to install any elaborate software on your computer access your stuff. A single folder on your desktop is all you have to worry with and it works just like any other folder. Sharing with family, friends, or co-workers also couldn't be easier. Invite them to sign up for a Dropbox account, share your folder with them, and any time you add something on your computer to this shared folder it will show up automatically on their computer.

I do believe that the paid storage is a little pricey but if you're using it as a business it might justify the price. The free account is plenty for the average user, especially since you have the ability to increase your storage capacity by various means.

Questions or Comments?

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at info@net-maven.com.

If you decide to use the referral link above, I thank you for the bonus storage and hope you enjoy using Dropbox!