Dropbox Notes

I use Dropbox for secure online backup, sync, sharing, access, and storage (compatible with Windows, Mac, & Linux). I backup and sync my critical files across three computers (home, work, and laptop). Try 2 GB Dropbox for free at www.dropbox.com. If you use my referral link we both get 250+ MB extra storage!

Getting Started

These instructions refer to my Linux computer; however, the concepts apply to Macs and PCs. Here is how to get started on your first computer:

1. Create a Dropbox account at www.dropbox.com.
2. Download and install Dropbox on your computer. Download nautilus-dropbox_0.X.X_ubuntu_X.XX.deb to your Desktop and double-click on icon. Follow default installation. Delete or archive .deb file.
3. Start Applications > Internet > Dropbox. Dropbox folder will be installed and placed inside your home directory (e.g., /home/mydir/Dropbox/).
4. Folders moved to Dropbox folder will be backed up to cloud.

Now, for your second computer, repeat steps above. The new Dropbox will be populated with the contents of the Dropbox in the cloud. Any new folders that you place inside the Dropbox (computer #2) will be backed up to the cloud. When one works on and saves files (inside the Dropbox), they are backed up immediately to the cloud. Whenever the computers are connected to the Internet, the Dropboxes will stay synchronized.

As long as the computers are connected to the Internet, the computer Dropboxes will stay synchronized.

Creating Symbolic Links

Symbolic links to folders

Most users will be satisfied putting their critical folders in Dropbox, allowing computers to stay synchronized, and just editing files inside of the Dropbox. However, some users will want to preserve their original file paths; for example, /home/mydir/Documents/myfile.doc instead of /home/tja/Dropbox/Documents/myfile.doc. This can be accomplished with "symbolic links".

On the primary computer (#1), do the following:

1. Install Dropbox as described above.
2. Move Documents folder to Dropbox (e.g., /home/mydir1/Dropbox/Documents/).
3. Open Terminal to create and verify symbolic link:
   ln -s /home/mydir1/Dropbox/Documents/ /home/mydir1/
ls -l

On the second computer (#2), do the following

1. Install Dropbox on the second computer.
2. Allow it to synchronize with first computer.
3. Rename the Documents folder on computer #2.
   cd /home/mydir2/
mv Documents Documents_OLD
4. Open Terminal to create and verify symbolic link:
   ln -s /home/mydir2/Dropbox/Documents/ /home/mydir2/
ls -l

That's it! Both computers have symbolic links that point to Documents folder in the Dropbox folder. One can do whatever one wants with the Documents_OLD folder, including deleting it if it contains duplicated content.

Symbolic links to files

One can also create symbolic links to files. For example, I like to use the same .emacs file for all my Ubuntu Linux computers. I put my .emacs file into the Dropbox folder, then I create and verify symbolic links on all my computers:

ln -s /home/mydir/Dropbox/.emacs /home/mydir/
ls -la