Dropbox, More Than Just Storage…

 

If you’re like me then you probably have multiple computers that are constantly in rotation. Or you might be using a work computer and so you don’t have access to your usual collection of tabs and bookmarks that you’d like. The familiarity of your home browser is nice right?

Well Dropbox, my favourite find ever comes in to save the day, again. With the use of a the lovely little portable versions of Google Chrome and Firefox and a few other extensions you can have the familiarity of your home browser anywhere without having to carry around a memory stick as seen above.

Now lets get started, get yourself Dropbox by clicking ME.

Ok, now that that's installed. get these, one or the other, or both if you’re partial to switching browsers:

Google Chrome

Mozilla Firefox

When you download them make you pick their install path as the Dropbox folder. (As portable apps they take up minimal space)

Now for those of you who are completely lost as to where we’re going now it’s all quite simple. Get yourself Google Sync for Firefox and this will sort you out.

For those using Chrome, in options you’ll find sync computer settings in the basic browser settings.

Now it’s just that simple function of syncing you’re browsers.

Ta-Da you’re done. Now you have some fully portable apps wherever you go, and its all there in your Dropbox and no one else can gain access to anything you’ve browsed, including history, mistakenly left open Facebook's etc.

If you require any other portable apps, for anything from video editing, to openoffice, check out this site; Portable Apps

Enjoi Tiny Browsing.

After Installing Windows 7…

You’ve got a new Windows set up on your computer, starting fresh, but where to begin? Well this is a quick guide on getting you started.

1. Change your theme..

Make your windows 7 your own, you can find many different themes already ready to be used after a quick Google search. But if you want to get really personal, make your own. or if you'd like to keep your wallpaper fresh, but don't want to hunt down the widescreen-friendly pics yourself, set up Bing's backgrounds as a auto-rotating wallpaper feed.

2. Set up XP Mode..

If you’ve got old, unfortunately out-dated apps that just aren’t compatible with the latest Windows system, you’ll want to set up XP mode for free and learn how to use it. If Microsoft's own XP Mode doesn’t impress you, check out VirtualBox. A tutorial on how use it can be found here.

3. Integrate Your Dropbox..

As I have previously stated, Dropbox is a must have app. But you can link it in with your windows system rather than leaving it stand alone. You can sync folders outside your main Drop box and later change the location, along with having many other uses. Dropbox is an integral part of any computer.

4. Learn the Shortcuts..

Shortcuts make everything faster, and with Windows 7 there is no shortage of them. Read them, test them out, and learn them, it will make everything a lot easier on yourself. Windows 7 Shortcuts

5. Get Everything with Ninite...

I’ve discussed this before. Ninite is possibly one of easiest, simplest things to use on your computer, making that long installation process with every new system take half as long. Pick your programs, download, and the customized installer does thee rest. What apps you get is up to you but I will have a recommended list up soon.

Bonus. Dual booting your System...

This is normally reserved for those who have messed around with Linux or other Dual boots before but I will throw up proper instructions on this in the next few days.

Take Your Files Anywhere with Dropbox...

Dropbox is a fantastic little online storage and online back up tool that you can sync up with on multiple computers, with access from your phone and the web too. When setting up an account you are given a few different options:

• The free account - up to 2GB of storage for free. (expandable up to 8GB if you can get more people to sign up and through your referral)
• Paid Accounts - you can get up to 50GB of storage a month for just $9.99 or up to 100GB for just $19.99.

Dropbox is simple and easy to use even for the computer illiterate, saving you having to worry about carrying that precious memory stick of assignments or documents around for fear of losing it. Leaving you with the piece of mind that even if you forget it, you can have a back up synced up to your account online which has easy access.

But Dropbox is so much more than just online storage, you can use it to host files you want to share with others, family photos that are far too large to email, or even large documents if you are working with a virtual team on a project.

Dropbox has so much potential and is the perfect tool for anyone that has to so move files anywhere, particularly for the absent minded who don't bring their memory sticks everywhere. you can even sync it up with other folders on your computer so any important documents are imported straight into it.

Even 2GB is perfect for any student who is careless with their memory stick, so sign up today and make things that much easier, Dropbox has even gone mobile for anyone who now runs Android or iOS on the Iphone.

To learn more, and for the fastest tutorial possible, go to Dropbox.