A deep dive into Dropbox, SkyDrive, and Google Drive
Summary: Free online file storage services look similar at first glance, but a closer look reveals some big differences. Here's what to look for if you're checking out the three leaders: Dropbox, Microsoft SkyDrive, and Google Drive.
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This gallery view lets you scroll through all the photos in a folder (galleries are only created if they're in a subfolder of the Dropbox Photos folder. You get a different view (and the ability to get a link) if you click to open a photo file directly from the file listings. That view doesn't include the row of navigation thumbnails shown here.
Dropbox is pushing its photo features hard, offering free, automatic storage upgrades if you upgrade lots of photos.
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Talkback
Excellent review, as usual.
As a SkyDrive and DropBox user, this proved instructive. Highlighting features that I was unaware of in the Windows client. Always good.
One question, do either SkyDrive or Google Drive allow granular selection of files / folders to sync a la DropBox? My online storage falls into two categories; 1) files I want available everywhere 2) files from my home server to be backed up offsite for prudence (family photographs et al) that take a lot of space and I don't want synchronized to my work computers.
Google Drive yes, SkyDrive no
Cheers, Mr B
Helps in determining the best solution for my needs.
Google Drive yes, Sky Drive no
Upgrade
Sync v Backup
Is anyone else starting to see duplicate file bloat?
So, is anyone else starting to see duplicate file bloat?
What I mean is, the problem with these cloud sync services is that they are based on you putting your files in their own sync folder on your local machine...
Well, if you are like me and have a SkyDrive, DropBox, now Google Drive... among others... each requiring you put the files you want synced into their individual sync folders...
Now I have THREE (in this example) duplication's on an already full C drive (yes, I am able to put SkyDrive and DropBox on D drive. But that's not really my point).
Three duplication's!? Really? Why can't these sync services do like SugarSync (and I only mention SugarSync because they don't care where your files are, which is a GREAT model. I don't particularly like SugarSync as a company) and let you select the folders you want to sync from anywhere on your local system. Obviously it is possible.
Is there, possibly, an issue with version control or some other head-butting that could happen between services? If so, it is because there have not been any standards established yet. There is no single protocol for working nicely together. I am thinking it is time for a 'third-party' to establish some protocols to put an end to the wasteful duplication!
One suggested work-around has been to 'nest' these services thus;
'C:\SkyDrive\GoogleDrive\DropBox'
Setup SkyDrive to sync everything under "C:\SkyDrive", Google Drive to sync everything under "C:\SkyDrive\GoogleDrive" and DropBox to sync everything under C:\SkyDrive\GoogleDrive\DropBox. Then, just put everything in C:\SkyDrive\GoogleDrive\DropBox and it should get sync'd by all three.
This is an inspired concept, however, for those with limited space on their C: drive, or those who don't like having to include all their files in a system backup or image, it would be nice if there were a way to get SkyDrive to re-locate onto another drive like you can with Drive (only during install), and DropBox (any time).
Another semi-work-around is to spread the data you want synced. Some data on one, some more on another, and so on.
That still does not free up the C drive or the local redundancy issue.
All these services need to modify their architecture to let you select sync files from anywhere locally and get rid of the this wasted space method... IMO
I try not to use multiple synchronizers
Agreed
Try Syncplicity
$yncplicity... ouch
Sure, they do have all the features one could ask for... but, dang.
3rd party protocols/interoperability
Useless!
Im waiting for a simple and smart solution.
Excellent and Helpful
The article says, "The green checkmark overlay shows synced files, which otherwise look and act exactly as if they were stored locally."
Since "otherwise look and act exactly as if they were stored locally," implies to me they are not stored locally, I suggest adding "only" between "stored" and "locally," i.e., "The green checkmark overlay shows synced files, which otherwise look and act exactly as if they were stored only locally."
Done. Thanks for the suggestion.
Multiple Account Support or lack thereof
However a problem with DropBox and potentially with the other 2 (I haven't tested them yet) is that there is no straightforward means to support multiple accounts. Say I have a DropBox account for work and a personal account, or I am a consultant working for several companies who give me access to their DropBox folders.
While there are some ugly workarounds (the folders are not readily distinguishable or require multiple Windows users to be set up) people have come up with this is a significant shortcoming of DropBox.
I believe this was to stop people simply creating multiple "free" accounts.
No multiple users
All these almost-great products, and not one of them are really great... at a decent price.
folder "collision" too
SugarSync Allows Multi-Folder Syncing
I believe SugarSync allows you to sync with any folder currently on your computer. I use the service in addition to a few others and it's been pretty solid.
Of the three mentioned in the article I like Google Drive best just because it connects nicely to all of my Google docs.
As for price, I think they're all pretty reasonable....I mean $2.50 per month for Google Drive will hardly break the bank.
I've actually reviewed a bunch of cloud services at my website http://www.top10cloudstorage.com. Check it out if you have a minute. I'd love to hear your feedback!
what about box.net