Dropbox (storage provider)

Infobox Software
name = Dropbox



caption =
author =
developer = Evenflow, Inc.
released = September 2008
latest release version = 0.6.402
latest release date = 9/26/2008
operating system = Cross-platform
language = English
status = Active
genre = Online backup service
license = Proprietary
website = [http://www.getdropbox.com www.getdropbox.com]

Dropbox is a storage application and service operated by Evenflow, Inc. The service enables users to store and sync files online and between computers. [ cite web | author = Mark Hendrickson | title = Dropbox: The Online Storage Solution We’ve Been Waiting For? | publisher = TechCrunch | url = http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/03/11/dropbox-the-online-storage-solution-weve-been-waiting-for/ | accessdate = 2008-09-23 ] Dropbox has a cross-platform client (Windows, Mac and Linux) that enables users to drop any file into a Dropbox folder that is then synced to the web and the users' other computers with the Dropbox client. [cite web | author = Ryan Paul | title = How Dropbox ended my search for seamless sync on Linux | publisher = Ars Technica | url = http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080914-how-dropbox-ended-my-search-for-seamless-sync-on-linux.html | accessdate = 2008-09-24] Files in the Dropbox folder may then be shared with other Dropbox users or accessed from the web. Users may also upload files manually through a web browser. [cite web | author = Scott Dunn | title = Dropbox File Sync Service | publisher = PC World | url = http://www.pcworld.com/article/149058/dropbox_file_sync_service.html | accessdate = 2008-09-24 ] A free Dropbox account offers 2 GB of storage. Users may upgrade to 50 GB by paying a monthly or yearly fee.

While Dropbox functions as a storage service, its focus is on synchronization and sharing. Dropbox synchronization uses SSL transfers with AES-256 encryption, and it supports revision history, so files deleted from the Dropbox folder may be recovered from any of the synced computers. [cite web | title = Dropbox FAQ's, Security and Privacy | publisher = Dropbox | url = https://www.getdropbox.com/faq#security-and-privacy | accessdate = 2008-09-22 ] [cite web | author = Adam Pash | title = Dropbox Syncs and Backs Up Files Between Computers Instantaneously | publisher = Lifehacker | url = http://lifehacker.com/397778/dropbox-syncs-and-backs-up-files-between-computers-instantaneously | accessdate 2008-09-22 ] Dropbox's version control also helps users know the history of a file they may be currently working on, enabling more than one person to edit and re-post files without complications of losing its previous form. There is no limit to file size for files added via the Dropbox application, but files transferred through the web interface are capped at 350 MB. Dropbox uses Amazon's S3 storage system to store the files.

Dropbox should not be confused with Dropboks, a completely web based file storage system.

The Dropbox service is similar to companies such as Box.net, Mozy, Omnidrive, or XDrive. The major feature (and limitation) of the Dropbox system is that only files in the Dropbox folder are backed up and synced. The company received seed funding from Y Combinator and Sequoia Capital. [cite web | title = Dropbox: About Us | publisher = Dropbox | url = https://www.getdropbox.com/about | accessdate = 2008-09-22 ]

References

External Links

[http://www.getdropbox.com/ Dropbox website]