I was with Dropbox for many years but then they unilaterally shut down my account - seemingly for an automated trip that no human reviewed before deleting about 300 Gb of personal files (like 20 years of family photos) and professional document. Over a year of almost daily communication with them (all initiated by me because they would not even have informed me of the deletion) and involvement of a lawyer, ended up with them denying me any recovery and being told that even though/if they made a mistake, they have so much more money than I can acquire in order to fight my claim.
The real takeaway from this story is to NEVER rely on any online storage as the ONLY place to keep your data. In other words: BACK UP. If the data is in only one place - like DropBox - it's not backed up.
Dropbox really sucks. I've just found out that r/dropbox community on Reddit has become private. There were thousands and thousands of complaints about disabled paid accounts there and now it's inaccessible. They're somehow trying to hide the traces… Did you get banned from their forum as well, when bringing up the subject?
The Reddit activity has nothing to do with Dropbox. MANY reddit communities have gone dark for a couple of days to protest some changes at Reddit. It should be back in a day or two.
Same happened to me. Several years ago, Dropbox suspended my account without warning and without cause. To this day, I am still trying to take stock of what I lost. I will never trust a company with my data again.
It was many years ago, but I dropped Dropbox when they promised not to give access to your files to third parties but were doing so. Now One Drive system integration has just been horrible so I could never use that either. I'm sure Dropbox is superior in practice.
I've also chosen Dropbox for pretty much the same reasons. But I also use iDrive (backup only) and Sync (synched data with end-to-end encryption) as secondary cloud storage because one can never rely on any single cloud service to be 100% reliable nor still being available (say) 5 or 10 years from now. Dropbox has a long history and strong user base, so I expect them to still be around for the relatively long time.
I have just finished building my TrueNAS server. It compresses and encrypts my data. If I were to use on-line storage, the security keys for my data would never be stored anywhere but in my home, with a copy at my family memeber's home. Always encrypt. If you give pics and video to a "cloud" vendor, can they use them? Can you afford to sue them? There is your answer.
I've found Sync checks off all the same tick marks, and with the Solo plan you get more storage for less money than Dropbox's plan. I'll admit it's a tad slower in performance than Dropbox, but because it has end-to-end encryption with zero-based knowledge, it saves having to use encryption utilities like BoxCryptor. I'm not a sponsor for Sync, I just personally think it's better for my purposes.
I dropped Dropbox after many years. Two reasons: Only 3 logins allowed and no encryption. I switched over to Proton Drive. PD gives me 5GB. Enough for important paperwork. Box I use for photos and PDFs (50GB). OneDrive for cell cam photos and some use of Gdrive. There are so many options. I may just buy a NAS and get off the cloud. Opinions may vary. These are mine.
I'm interested in how you index your photos and the people in those photos so I could search for pictures within a date range that contain my grandmother.
You would need photo management software for that. Many options out there, including ACDSee and Excire Photo. The latter uses AI subject recognition to create an index database to enable searches on specific subject in photos (e.g. house, tree, sunset, sports, child, ...) as well as colours, and also includes people recognition.
I want to love Nextcloud, but it's always giving me a hard time. Every new version seems to work at first but causes problems sooner or later. PHP is probably not meant to be the basis of a cloud storage system. Dropbox is my second choice and I would use it if I wouldn't have Google Workspace. I think that Dropbox is superior to Google Drive when it comes to sync, but the package is just better for me. I pay 20 bucks for 5 TB of storage and it comes with Gmail (own domains) and all the other Google services minus the profiling and data scan for ads. So as a pure Cloud Storage Service I feel like Dropbox wins. But Google offers the better overall package.
I once use DB for all my computers BUT DB messed up all my file names due to its lack of ability to Sync properly, so I end up "which file is Latest and Originals" I read GoogleDrive is best at Syn across devices
Dropbox supports local P2P sync technology and also supports block-level sync, which is why Dropbox synchronization is so effective. Dropbox now owns their data center, but they did use AWS during their startup stage.
Proper old-school computer advice from someone who really understands what they are talking about. So different from the kids, who know how to make all the fancy icons flash, but wouldn't have a clue what to do if anything went wrong.
Just watched a short video how dropbox had an attack recently. Changed my password there. I haven't had any sensitive data there, but just for the sake of it. The company reset all passwords anyway, even restricted the use of API keys (had to google about API key LOL, not familiar with this technology, not a user of it).
As always, Leo, first class guidance and advice. I always look for your reviews for anything with Windows 11 and Gary for my Mac. Can't beat honest experience and knowledge well presented. Thank you.
Encryption from a third party is important. Encryption from the same party is irrelevant. Because most of encrypting services derive their keys from a private master key.
I have had multiple problems with OneDrive. It just about ate my business because of the way it syncs and I have a lot of large graphic files. I don't like the way it puts a proprietary folder on my hard drive. Does Dropbox do this?
@@askleonotenboom thank you for your fast reply- I had thought one drive acted like an external hard drive until Microsoft support set me straight. now my confusion is that Drop Box and One Drive might interfere with each other.
thank you I've been pulling my hair out trying to get rid of Google get off the dependency of Google cloud hate this drove me crazy you're a lifesaver thank you very well done.!!!
Do clouds have backups of the customers' data, like copies? In case the server goes up in flames or is hit by a meteor or a terrorist attack. That as a mirror of your house getting burned down with all the hard discs you had your data on.
Besides, cloud storage, like crypto mining and operating, are big energy consumers. Not very ecological. Small and economically less significant countries (which are targeted by these businesses) are refusing placing large server complexes on their land, in fear of water shortages for cooling these monsters.
Which AWS service? Typically you install dropbox on your PC, and download / place the files you want into it. Then you can later delete from the originating service. (AFTER BACKING UP of course.)
@@askleonotenboom I don't understand your answer. I thought you said that you used AWS to store your files. Did you download all 3TB and then re-upload the photos to Dropbox or did you find a service to transfer them directly in the cloud?
@@appeal Exactly. My photos were stored on Amazon's S3 (one of AWS's MANY services). But I also had them all on my PC as well -- S3 was a backup. So all I had to do was copy them into my Dropbox folder, and Dropbox dutifully uploaded them all. It took a while. Once that was done and I was satisifed, I removed them from S3.
Can dropbox synchronise on Android? That is the big one for me. Most companies do not understand Android SAF and hence do not implement folder sync. It is possible, as some services do it without any problems like Syncthing.
The Dropbox app works on Android BUT it's cloud access, meaning that the files are NOT stored on the Android device. This is pretty typical for these kinds of cloud services. HOWEVER there's another Android app that I use called "DropSync" which explicitly sync's dropbox folders to local folders and vice versa. it's nice because you can select specific folders rather than mirroring all of yoru Dropbox to your phone.
@@askleonotenboom There is seemingly such a third party app for every other major cloud storage provider out there, I think they are from the same company. MEGA also has such a third party app available. I don't understand why people at large companies find SAF so hard to understand while Syncthing and that company make it look so simple without having a lot of resources at their hands. Thanks for the reply.
@@askleonotenboom actually, the Dropbox app on my Android phone supports selective sync; any folder (with all its subfolders) can be set as Offline Files. The only limit is the available storage on the device.
My setup is: OneDrive as my main cloud storage - MS office clinches the deal for me. Time Machine Backup to 2 x 2TB HDDs using a dual HDD dock. I remember your previous video saying that using SSDs for backup is pointless - totally agree! Backblaze account (Personal) which I find amazing value for money as you can also backup any external drives you own. Also have 1TB iCloud storage 👍🏼
Google changes the rules all to often they are bossy and smug and spam like crazy to kion their eco system and nah nag nag just one notification after another. driving me crazy Im linux guy and they hate Linux
Used it for years but not in love with having to be connected when in an off-grid situation. Yes you can have separate folder but defeats purpose. Selective sync sucks.
ease of use.Dropbox is everywhere you want to be.Dropbox has many tools that you can use.Dropbox integrates with other software.Dropbox synchronization is so effective.
Cloud storage is useful, but it has many confusing and competing alternatives.
What are the alternatives?
@@brittanyalleyne9760 Many. OneDrive. Box.com. Google Drive. Proton Drive. iCloud. etc.
I was with Dropbox for many years but then they unilaterally shut down my account - seemingly for an automated trip that no human reviewed before deleting about 300 Gb of personal files (like 20 years of family photos) and professional document. Over a year of almost daily communication with them (all initiated by me because they would not even have informed me of the deletion) and involvement of a lawyer, ended up with them denying me any recovery and being told that even though/if they made a mistake, they have so much more money than I can acquire in order to fight my claim.
The real takeaway from this story is to NEVER rely on any online storage as the ONLY place to keep your data. In other words: BACK UP. If the data is in only one place - like DropBox - it's not backed up.
Dropbox really sucks. I've just found out that r/dropbox community on Reddit has become private. There were thousands and thousands of complaints about disabled paid accounts there and now it's inaccessible. They're somehow trying to hide the traces… Did you get banned from their forum as well, when bringing up the subject?
The Reddit activity has nothing to do with Dropbox. MANY reddit communities have gone dark for a couple of days to protest some changes at Reddit. It should be back in a day or two.
Same happened to me. Several years ago, Dropbox suspended my account without warning and without cause. To this day, I am still trying to take stock of what I lost. I will never trust a company with my data again.
It was many years ago, but I dropped Dropbox when they promised not to give access to your files to third parties but were doing so.
Now One Drive system integration has just been horrible so I could never use that either. I'm sure Dropbox is superior in practice.
Such timely advice, simply explained for non techies 🙏 from a new subscriber!
I've also chosen Dropbox for pretty much the same reasons.
But I also use iDrive (backup only) and Sync (synched data with end-to-end encryption) as secondary cloud storage because one can never rely on any single cloud service to be 100% reliable nor still being available (say) 5 or 10 years from now. Dropbox has a long history and strong user base, so I expect them to still be around for the relatively long time.
iDrive is the cheapest cloud I have found, gives the most bang for the buck, I use it myself.
Yes, I backup to multiple clouds including Sync. For the others I pre-encrypt and have it all automated, as well as to external drives locally.
I have just finished building my TrueNAS server. It compresses and encrypts my data. If I were to use on-line storage, the security keys for my data would never be stored anywhere but in my home, with a copy at my family memeber's home. Always encrypt. If you give pics and video to a "cloud" vendor, can they use them? Can you afford to sue them? There is your answer.
I've found Sync checks off all the same tick marks, and with the Solo plan you get more storage for less money than Dropbox's plan. I'll admit it's a tad slower in performance than Dropbox, but because it has end-to-end encryption with zero-based knowledge, it saves having to use encryption utilities like BoxCryptor. I'm not a sponsor for Sync, I just personally think it's better for my purposes.
I use Sync for small documents. It is good, but slow.
I use Sync too, in addition to the others. For the others I auto-encrypt before backing up.
MEGA is also very good. No complaints beyond a niche exploit they duly disclosed and fixed.
I dropped Dropbox after many years. Two reasons: Only 3 logins allowed and no encryption. I switched over to Proton Drive. PD gives me 5GB. Enough for important paperwork. Box I use for photos and PDFs (50GB). OneDrive for cell cam photos and some use of Gdrive. There are so many options. I may just buy a NAS and get off the cloud. Opinions may vary. These are mine.
I'm interested in how you index your photos and the people in those photos so I could search for pictures within a date range that contain my grandmother.
You would need photo management software for that. Many options out there, including ACDSee and Excire Photo. The latter uses AI subject recognition to create an index database to enable searches on specific subject in photos (e.g. house, tree, sunset, sports, child, ...) as well as colours, and also includes people recognition.
I want to love Nextcloud, but it's always giving me a hard time. Every new version seems to work at first but causes problems sooner or later. PHP is probably not meant to be the basis of a cloud storage system.
Dropbox is my second choice and I would use it if I wouldn't have Google Workspace. I think that Dropbox is superior to Google Drive when it comes to sync, but the package is just better for me. I pay 20 bucks for 5 TB of storage and it comes with Gmail (own domains) and all the other Google services minus the profiling and data scan for ads. So as a pure Cloud Storage Service I feel like Dropbox wins. But Google offers the better overall package.
I once use DB for all my computers BUT DB messed up all my file names due to its lack of ability to Sync properly, so I end up "which file is Latest and Originals" I read GoogleDrive is best at Syn across devices
Dropbox supports local P2P sync technology and also supports block-level sync, which is why Dropbox synchronization is so effective. Dropbox now owns their data center, but they did use AWS during their startup stage.
Ask Leo is the best by far, safe and educational.❤
Currently, for the cheapskates among us, TerraBox offers 1 TB free.... (no idea how long or if that will last, of course)
Proper old-school computer advice from someone who really understands what they are talking about. So different from the kids, who know how to make all the fancy icons flash, but wouldn't have a clue what to do if anything went wrong.
Just watched a short video how dropbox had an attack recently. Changed my password there. I haven't had any sensitive data there, but just for the sake of it. The company reset all passwords anyway, even restricted the use of API keys (had to google about API key LOL, not familiar with this technology, not a user of it).
As always, Leo, first class guidance and advice. I always look for your reviews for anything with Windows 11 and Gary for my Mac. Can't beat honest experience and knowledge well presented. Thank you.
Thank you
I have Check many UA-camr talking about one drive but only you talk about 5TB for 5 accounts which is annoying for me.
Encryption from a third party is important. Encryption from the same party is irrelevant.
Because most of encrypting services derive their keys from a private master key.
I have had multiple problems with OneDrive. It just about ate my business because of the way it syncs and I have a lot of large graphic files. I don't like the way it puts a proprietary folder on my hard drive. Does Dropbox do this?
One drive gives people nightmares!
Yes Dropbox has its own folder just like onedrive.
Pcloud for the win
Inner to outerr screen transfer works ok on my Fold. Just have to touch finger print security and hay ho screen transfer. Am I missing something?
I would rather use Mega or anything a bit more private. Dropbox is not the best option fo privacy.
Could you do a video about using One Drive and Drop Box together? Thank you LEO
There's really nothing to say. Install both, use both. What's are you concerned about?
@@askleonotenboom thank you for your fast reply- I had thought one drive acted like an external hard drive until Microsoft support set me straight. now my confusion is that Drop Box and One Drive might interfere with each other.
@@deemay3864 They don't.. :-) I run them both (and Google Drive and Proton Drive and iCloud on various machines) and none interfere with each other.
thank you I've been pulling my hair out trying to get rid of Google get off the dependency of Google cloud hate this drove me crazy you're a lifesaver thank you very well done.!!!
sorry, Google Drive is simple better
What a useful contribution!
Do clouds have backups of the customers' data, like copies? In case the server goes up in flames or is hit by a meteor or a terrorist attack. That as a mirror of your house getting burned down with all the hard discs you had your data on.
Besides, cloud storage, like crypto mining and operating, are big energy consumers. Not very ecological. Small and economically less significant countries (which are targeted by these businesses) are refusing placing large server complexes on their land, in fear of water shortages for cooling these monsters.
Cloud services do have backups. They're not backups you or I can access, they're for the cloud service's use.
What about Dropbox Vault?
No experience with it. Sounds a lot like OneDrive's Personal Vault.
How did you transfer your files from AWS to Dropbox?
Which AWS service? Typically you install dropbox on your PC, and download / place the files you want into it. Then you can later delete from the originating service. (AFTER BACKING UP of course.)
@@askleonotenboom I don't understand your answer. I thought you said that you used AWS to store your files. Did you download all 3TB and then re-upload the photos to Dropbox or did you find a service to transfer them directly in the cloud?
@@appeal Exactly. My photos were stored on Amazon's S3 (one of AWS's MANY services). But I also had them all on my PC as well -- S3 was a backup. So all I had to do was copy them into my Dropbox folder, and Dropbox dutifully uploaded them all. It took a while. Once that was done and I was satisifed, I removed them from S3.
Can dropbox synchronise on Android? That is the big one for me. Most companies do not understand Android SAF and hence do not implement folder sync. It is possible, as some services do it without any problems like Syncthing.
The Dropbox app works on Android BUT it's cloud access, meaning that the files are NOT stored on the Android device. This is pretty typical for these kinds of cloud services. HOWEVER there's another Android app that I use called "DropSync" which explicitly sync's dropbox folders to local folders and vice versa. it's nice because you can select specific folders rather than mirroring all of yoru Dropbox to your phone.
@@askleonotenboom There is seemingly such a third party app for every other major cloud storage provider out there, I think they are from the same company. MEGA also has such a third party app available. I don't understand why people at large companies find SAF so hard to understand while Syncthing and that company make it look so simple without having a lot of resources at their hands. Thanks for the reply.
@@askleonotenboom actually, the Dropbox app on my Android phone supports selective sync; any folder (with all its subfolders) can be set as Offline Files. The only limit is the available storage on the device.
My setup is:
OneDrive as my main cloud storage - MS office clinches the deal for me.
Time Machine Backup to 2 x 2TB HDDs using a dual HDD dock. I remember your previous video saying that using SSDs for backup is pointless - totally agree!
Backblaze account (Personal) which I find amazing value for money as you can also backup any external drives you own.
Also have 1TB iCloud storage 👍🏼
Google changes the rules all to often they are bossy and smug and spam like crazy to kion their eco system and nah nag nag just one notification after another. driving me crazy Im linux guy and they hate Linux
They can also censor your files when required.
Egnyte is the best.
Can you provide a link to the Boxcryptor alternative?
cryptomator.org/
Used it for years but not in love with having to be connected when in an off-grid situation. Yes you can have separate folder but defeats purpose. Selective sync sucks.
Selective sync is amazing. Microsoft doesn't have that feature
ease of use.Dropbox is everywhere you want to be.Dropbox has many tools that you can use.Dropbox integrates with other software.Dropbox synchronization is so effective.
and it cannot sync to external drive on MacOS, that is why I went all out LOL
Nas better
You shouldn't wear tshirts that colour it's too similar to your hair / beard. Use a darker colour.
LOL. I just struggle not to wear anything greenish, because I use a green screen. A floating head would be even worse. :-)
@@askleonotenboomthat would be cool