Dropbox is available for Windows, Macintosh, Linux, and now for the Apple iPhone. I have come to depend on this program. If you use one computer, this program can be useful. However, if you use two or more computers, such as a desktop system and a laptop system or perhaps one computer at home and another at the office, I'd consider this program to be indispensable.
I wrote about Dropbox in some detail in the 27 September 2009 newsletter, and that article is still available at http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2009/09/Dropbox-why-you-need-this-program.html. Today, the producing company announced some changes to Dropbox.
First of all, there is a new version of Dropbox for the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch. I read the announcement and immediately downloaded and installed the free iPhone application. Now I can view all my stored files on the iPhone. Even better, I can snap a picture with the iPhone's camera, and within seconds the picture is replicated to my other computers, assuming those others are powered up and connected online. If not, the picture and any other new files will be copied to the other computers whenever they are powered up and connected. A copy is also stored on the servers at Dropbox.com.
The Dropbox program for iPhone and iPod Touch includes viewers for all the common file types. I can use the iPhone to access any of my stored files, including .DOC word processing files; .TXT text files; .JPG, .GIF, and .PNG images; .PDF files; and even PowerPoint's .PPT files. I can read those files on the iPhone's screen. I admit looking at PowerPoint slides on the tiny iPhone screen is a bit strange, but it works well! I could even give a presentation to one person this way.
Next, the Dropbox application has now moved to a new web address: http://Dropbox.com.
Finally, Lee and Sachi over at Common Craft recently made a video that explains Dropbox in plain English. It may help you explain Dropbox to your friends and family. The video may be found at http://www.Dropbox.com/link/19.Q3aavde51R.
Dropbox now has more than 3 million users with several thousand more being added every week. If you try this program, you'll see why.
Dropbox is one of my favorite programs. It works on Windows, Macintosh, Linux, and now on Apple iPhone and iPod Touch systems. It is available free of charge and will store up to two gigabytes of data at no charge. Additional storage capacity is available for a modest fee.
You might want to read my earlier article at http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2009/09/dropbox-why-you-need-this-program.html and then watch the video at http://www.Dropbox.com/link/19.Q3aavde51R. Finally, to download the program and start using it, go to http://www.Dropbox.com.
