Dropbox adds new features - document preview and photo sharing

Dropbox, the very popular cloud file/sync/backup/sharing service, has announced some new features, including document preview and photo sharing and sorting.

You can preview PDF, DOC, DOCX, and PPT files by double-clicking on them. This way, you can see if that is the file you want, or even view what you need, without downloading it.

Dropbox has also added some features for photos. When you click on "Camera" you will see all of the photos you have uploaded from your phone. You can then group them, email them, or share to Facebook and Twitter.

Some more great features from a great service.

Related:

Lots of Great File Sync/Backup/Share services

JustBeamIt file sharing service comes in very handy - also has links to more file sharing services

Let's Crate - easy, free, file sharing

minus - file sharing service

eBackpack - educational file sharing and backup

YouSendIt - easy file sharing, sync, and sign

Jumpshare - easily share and view files online

Jumpshare is a service I just learned about that lets you easily share and view files online, for free. Simply drag and drop your files to the site and then you can share them. Other sites let you do this, but Jumpshare has a very cool feature of it's own - people can view these files online without downloading them. This is a great feature, especially when many shared files are just so someone can view it.

The files are available for two weeks and it's completely free. The site supports over 200 different file types (read the whole list here) including graphics files, Office files, e-books, audio and video files, and even code files.

A great new way to share files. For free.




Some Other file sharing services:

Just Beam It file sharing

Gett - http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2010/12/gett-gett-free-service-to-share-files.html

FileStork - http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2011/07/filestork-request-files-from-anyone.html

Fyles - http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2011/05/fyels-free-easy-simple-file-sharing.html

AVG LiveKive - http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2011/04/avg-launches-file-sync-backup-and-share.html

minus - http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2011/03/minus-file-sharing-service.html

AirDropper - http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2010/12/airdropper-request-file-from-anyone.html

DROPitTOme - http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2010/11/dropittome-receive-files-to-your-inbox.html

Embedit - no longer accepting new embeds, send you to Box instead.

Embedit, a service that allowed you to embed files on your site or blog that I wrote about May 30th, is no longer accepting new embed files. They were purchased by Box and their site now recommends you go to Box for your file sharing needs. Existing embeds you have done through the service will work through September 1, 2012. For more information, please see their FAQ.

Box, known for giving away lots of free storage through the purchase of different devices, doesn't have an embed feature that I could find, but does let you share files through links.

You can easily use Google Docs to share and embed documents in blogs and websites also.



Related:

Embedit - embed any file in your website or blog - free

Lots of free, cloud based file storage/sync/backup/sharing services

Google for Education Resources

Dropbox getting rid of Shared Folders for New users

Dropbox, the very popular cloud file/sync/backup/sharing service, has announced that starting July 31st, new users will not be able to create Public Folders. Current users will be able to still use public folders, but anyone signing up for Dropbox after July 31st will not be able to.

Shared folders was an easy way to share files with others and allow teams to have access to the same files. Dropbox did recently add a new feature that allows you to easily create a link to a file in your Dropbox account and share that with others.

I've used Public Folders a few times, but not enough that this would effect me even if current users where losing the feature. But, if you are someone who would use Public Folders a lot, sign up for Dropbox before July 31st.




Related:

Lots of Great File Sync/Backup/Share services

JustBeamIt file sharing service comes in very handy - also has links to more file sharing services

Let's Crate - easy, free, file sharing

minus - file sharing service

eBackpack - educational file sharing and backup

YouSendIt - easy file sharing, sync, and sign

Droplr - great, free file sharing service

Droplr is a file sharing service that has a great free account that gives you 1GB of storage and allows uploads up to 25MB. It's not a file syncing service, but rather a file sharing service.

It's very easy to use. Simply drag the file you want to share from your computer and drop it on the space on the Droplr web site. Then you just share the link with others and they can download the file.

There are also Mac, Windows, and iPhone apps available that offer some more functionality and ease of use.

In addition to easy file sharing, you can share text notes, snippets of code, and images. It's secure and safe and you can access it, and your shared files, anywhere.


Check it out: https://droplr.com/hello


There is also a Pro version that gives you 1GB uploads and 100GB of storage for $3/month or $30/year.



Related:

CX - file sync, share and backup service with 10GB free account

JustBeamIt file sharing service comes in very handy - also has links to more file sharing services
File backup, share, sync services - lots to choose from

Let's Crate - easy, free, file sharing

minus - file sharing service

eBackpack - educational file sharing and backup

YouSendIt - easy file sharing, sync, and sign

igniteCAST - Broadcast Videos, Courses, Slideshows, Screencasts, and Social Media

igniteCAST is a free service that allows you to create, upload, view and share video clips, interactive presentations, PowerPoint, quizzes, surveys and much more. You can easily and quickly create and broadcast media so that others can use and view it. It can even be used to create an online course.

You can share your media resources publicly or create a private channel. It's also a great resource to use for finding materials yourself. You can search the public feed for materials that others have shared to use in your classroom, or to have students view. You could also have students use igniteCAST to create their own projects as a great classroom project and assessment.

It's really a great service, allowing you to even add a table of contents to your presentation.

Here's an example cast: http://www.ignitecast.com/p/sRawWvZPkY/Ignite-4-Standard-Quick-Start-Guide

Cubby - new cloud storage service from LogMeIn with some great features

LogMeIn is a service that allows you to remotely access someone else's computer (with their permission and cooperation, of course) so that you can help them fix a problem. It's much easier than having them try to explain the problem over the phone, or you having to drive to their house.

Today, they are launching Cubby, a new cloud file sync, share and storage service. It's still in beta, but you can enter your email to get an invite. You can sync your files across all of your computers, tablets, and smartphones easily. You can share files and collaborate on them with others. You don't need to reorganize your files either. You can just select any folder on your device to by synced and make it accessible anywhere. 

The free account is 5GB of storage. But, one of the best features of Cubby is that there is no limit to the amount of files shared between your own devices or with others. That's a big deal for a lot of people. You won't have all of those files available on their servers, but they will be shared onto all of your devices, with no memory limit. 

There are also mobile apps for iOS and Android and a desktop client app to set up what folders you want "cloud enabled." There is also a "My Cubby" folder available, similar to "My Dropbox" from Dropbox or "Magic Briefcase" from SugarSync.

This is another great way to sync, share, and backup your files and the unlimited share is a really great feature. 

Try it out: Cubby: https://www.cubby.com/ 

Related:

World Backup Day - make sure your data and files are backed up! - lots of cloud file sync,share, backup services listed here. All with free options. 

Zumodrive shutting down - here are some alternatives for file backup and sync

Sugarsync - file sync, share, backup service with some great features. 

Dropbox - another file sync, share, backup service with some great features. 

Android Resources for Education - apps, tips, resources, news and more

WeTransfer - send big files easily, and for free

WeTransfer is a free service that allows you to send big files to someone, easily and for free. You simply add the files you want to send (up to 2GB), enter the email of the person you are sending the files to, your email address, and click "transfer." You can even add a message for the recipient.

There is no registration, and your files are available  for 2 weeks.

Sometimes files are to big to email (due to email system restrictions) and this is a great way to send them.





Related:

Cloud based file storage, sync, backup and sharing

Uploading it -upload, sync, and share files.

Sendoid - share big files easily

JustBeamIt file sharing service
Gett - http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2010/12/gett-gett-free-service-to-share-files.html

FileStork - http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2011/07/filestork-request-files-from-anyone.html

Fyles - http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2011/05/fyels-free-easy-simple-file-sharing.html

AVG LiveKive - http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2011/04/avg-launches-file-sync-backup-and-share.html

minus - http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2011/03/minus-file-sharing-service.html

AirDropper - http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2010/12/airdropper-request-file-from-anyone.html

DROPitTOme - http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2010/11/dropittome-receive-files-to-your-inbox.html

Fyels - free, easy, simple file sharing

There are a lot of file sharing apps and services available. I just learned about Fyels from Lifehacker (another great resource).

Fyles is extremely simple and easy to use. The site is pretty much an empty page. The image above is the starting page for it. You simply drag and drop a file onto the web page and then it gives you a link that you send to whomever you are sharing the file with. Doesn't get much easier than that. There is no registration required. There is a 2GB file size limit though. You do get a password for each file you share so you can go back and delete it off their servers if you want.

This is another great way to share files with your students or colleagues (or friends).


Related Articles:

AVG launches file sync, backup, and share system called LiveKive

sendoid - share big files easily

minus - file sharing service

AirDropper - request a file from anyone - into your Dropbox

ge.tt - gett - free service to share files

Let's Crate - easy, free, file sharing

DROPitTOme - receive files to your inbox

Uploading It - upload, sync, and share files

Uploadingit is another file sharing and syncing service that I found. It has free and fee-based plans, allowing you to upload, sync, and share files.

The file manager works like a desktop app and is simple to use. You can upload multiple files at once, drag and drop, move, rename, and organize files and folders.

The free plan offers 10GB of space and 10GB of daily bandwidth. It does have a 200MB max file size limit and advertisements, but it's free. You can upgrade to paid plans to increase disk space, bandwidth, get rid of ads, ability to hotlink files, and also increase your priority download.

It is another, free file syncing and sharing service that is very useful for teachers and students.

Dropbox - file sync, backup, and sharing

Dropbox is a service that allows you to sync your files on your computer with their system as a backup. This also allows you to access the files anywhere. You can also sync the files across multiple computers. This means that you have automatic backup of your files and 24/7 access to your files. I have it set up to sync a folder on my home computer and school computer so I don't have to worry about having multiple versions or forgetting a flash drive.

There are also Dropbox apps for iPhone, Android, iPad and there is one coming for Blackberry. There is an independent app for Palm webOS, but you can also access the mobile site from any web-enabled phone. Imagine being able to access all of your files on your smartphone!

You can also share files with others. I teach EMS classes (EMT and Paramedic) and the course coordinator shares files on it with instructors through one folder and students in another folder. It makes things very easy for all of us.

Plans are as follows:

Basic - 2GB - Free

Pro50 - 50GB - $9.99 / month or $99 per year

Pro100 - 100GB - $19.99 / month or $199 per year

Dropbox is a great service for teachers and students. Access to all of your files anywhere, backup of your files, and the ability to share files.

UPDATE: One feature that is very nice is the fact that it works with network drives like we use in my district. Some of the other cloud file storage and sync systems can't work with network drives. I was very happy to see this was able to be done with Dropbox.

Related article:

"Cloud File Storage, Sync, Backup" (features similar services to Dropbox)

UPDATE: Mozy.com is another online file storage, sync, and backup service that I just learned about an it also offers a 2GB free account. I haven't used it, but it seems to work the same as the others.