This week, I am going to share with you some technical tools or websites that might make running your business easier.
I’m in the middle of what is looking like my busiest fall so far, so anything that can make by business faster/easier/more efficient is pretty high on my “loving it” list.
First up: Dropbox (http://www.getdropbox.com)
My life was made a lot easier in January when I finally bought a smart phone. Now, I don’t need to cart my laptop around with me all the time, constantly in search of a wi-fi connection. I get and can respond to, email on my Blackberry. I need to add that part of the reason I chose the Blackberry over the IPhone was because the BB has the ability to read and edit Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files. However, I don’t really use the calendar syncing utility, because my calendar lives on Google, and I have access to it all the time via the web with NO syncing. So, I very seldom hook my BB up to my computer, and the storage is somewhat limited, so I don’t really carry around documents on it.
Sometimes, I’ll be out somewhere and get a request from a member of the media for some kind of support documentation: a media release or kit for one of my clients. I have to say “I’ll send it to you as soon as I get back to my computer.” But not any more!!
Dropbox is a file-sharing program. Essentially, after you download the program and install it on your computer, you just drop files from your computer that you want to have access to at all times. The program uploads these files to a server on the web. Every time you update a file, it automatically syncs it to the web. Then, wherever you are, you have access to your files. All you need is a browser, and to log into your account using your email address and password. You have access to all your files.
You can also ask others to join Dropbox, and they can have access to your files, creating another way for multiple people to work on the same project.
Dropbox offers free storage up to 2GB for free. If you need more storage, you can opt for a monthly-fee package.
They don’t offer a Blackberry app, which would make my life even easier. You have to use your browser application to access your files. Perhaps an app is in the works.
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To further clarify – there is a public shared folder which you can use in a manner similar to yousendit, handing a link to someone in an IM or email.
I primarily use an invited share folder as a defacto network drive for my small indie theatre company. My producing partner and I share a folder and all of the shows documents, press kit, and promo images (as well as box office and ledger sheets) live. So we both always have up to date information and no versioning problems despite not having a central office.
And as of today the iPhone/Touch app is released (for free). It is brilliant and simple. It. Just. Works.
Travis, you rock my world. Thank you. I think you may have just changed the way I work.
And everyone should have this, if for nothing else, than to back up their most important files/beloved photos, etc.