"If you've upgraded to iOS 8 or Yosemite, perhaps, like me, you're trying to understand about -- and the differences between -- iCloud, iCloud Drive, Dropbox, and other 'cloud' storage options," Jim Hamm begins. And he's got some good stuff to share. Read on . . .
"Here are some articles that may help you understand the differences.To start off, take a read on this article. Then, take a read here on iCloud Drive. And finally, here's yet another article that asks whether now is a good time to use iCloud Drive? A question like this always makes me a bit nervous."
And you do picture Jim's grin at this point. So there's more . . .
"For me, it's easier to think of iCloud as another external hard drive (a storage repository), except the drive is in the 'cloud.' Then, I think of iCloud Drive as a way to access iCloud from any (almost) app, and to sync them. I do back up to iCloud, but haven't used it except to transfer my files, documents and apps to a new iPhone 6 from an older iPhone. It worked well for that.
"But on a daily basis I use Dropbox, which is cross-platform, and always handy when I need it. So far, I've never actually logged into my iCloud account to see what's in there, or what it looks like. I don't seem to have a need to do so. As to iCloud Drive? Well, in theory I'm using it -- I've initiated it -- but haven't noticed any real results yet from using it. Perhaps with time."
So, thinking of his readers, Jim concludes, "Hopefully the above articles will be of some benefit in understanding these storage options."
Re: iCloud Drive
Here John Carter jumps in to the discussion, "A major disadvantage of iCloud is that it does not allow sharing between users in the way that Dropbox does. However, iCloud has other features that aren’t available in Dropbox. So it becomes prudent to know what iCloud is for and to take advantage of those features in addition to using Dropbox for what it does best.
"To get informed on what iCloud is for, get the eBook “Take Control of iCloud” by Joe Kissell (2nd Edition) here. (Click on “All Ebooks” in the left margin to find the title. A 30% MUG discount will be applied at checkout.)"
John provides this further info: "Here’s an outline of the major iCloud features:
* Media syncing
* My Photo Stream and iCloud Photo Sharing
* Syncing documents and app data
* Mail, Contacts, Calendar, browser data, Reminders, and Notes
* iCloud Keychain
* iCloud.com
* Find My Device and Find My Friends
* iCloud backup
* Apple TV
* Back to my Mac
And John summarizes, "Some of those features require Mavericks, and some are available in Mountain Lion or Lion."
* My Photo Stream and iCloud Photo Sharing
* Syncing documents and app data
* Mail, Contacts, Calendar, browser data, Reminders, and Notes
* iCloud Keychain
* iCloud.com
* Find My Device and Find My Friends
* iCloud backup
* Apple TV
* Back to my Mac
And John summarizes, "Some of those features require Mavericks, and some are available in Mountain Lion or Lion."
What's File Sync -- and Why Should I Care About It?
David Passell sends some links to info about file sync. https://www.dropboxatwork.com/2014/05/what-is-file-sync/#.U6OElyVai9Y.email
Then there's this additional . . . "this was sent via http://addthis.com. Please note that AddThis does not verify email addresses." And then, "make sharing easier with the AddThis Toolbar:http://www.addthis.com/go/toolbar-em And finally, "To stop receiving any emails from AddThis, please visit: http://www.addthis.com/privacy/email-opt-out?e=ROQqiz.dD4wggiKcP4oqi2GBKps
Changes With Dropbox
Changes with Dropbox came to David Passell's attention. He says, "I think this mainly applies to people who pay a yearly fee for Dropbox. It might be of interest to some of the more legally minded among us." See http://www.citizen.org/Page.aspx?pid=183. Read details here: https://blog.dropbox.com/2014/02/updating-our-terms-of-service/
Box App for iPhone & iPad
Here's that word, FREE, as Prez Art Gorski tells about an app named Box. "Box is an alternative to DropBox for storing files in the 'cloud.' They’ve just released new iPhone and iPad apps and, if you install one of these and sign up now, you’ll get 50GB of free on-line storage." http://blog.box.com/2014/01/get-the-all-new-box-for-iphone-and-ipad-50bg-free/
No, Your Data Isn't Secure in the Cloud
John Carter wants to share his viewpoint on security in the Cloud. "You do understand that it's the government that is insisting on an open book for all personal information, yet they also insist on not telling us anything they don't want us to know about - like what really happened at Roswell and other places.
"I really don't care how deep the government is looking into my personal affairs. In fact, I want them to be able to pry into the private life of any citizen planning on running for a public office at every level of government from our local supervisor and councilman to the President.
"The ONLY way to have access to my passwords across all devices without using the cloud is to carry a thumb drive —and it won't connect to my iPhone, iPod, or iPad. That makes no sense.
"So, using iCloud or Dropbox to store my passwords is my only sure way of being able to access them when I need them from any device. And with 128 bit encryption, that is secure enough to prevent Joe the Plumber (and even my high-tech buddies) from getting at them. I'm safe from the hackers, and that's all that really concerns me.
"Now, if one of those hackers works for the government and is nefarious enough to steal encrypted data for personal gain, I can't stop that. No one can. It would take an act of Congress to prevent even the government from accessing encrypted files, and then only foreign governments would be able to access my personal files. Right back where I started from."
And thanks to John for adding to this discussion.
Wondering About WriteBox
Now Jim Hamm finds something else to pass on: "If you use Dropbox frequently here is a simple web app called WriteBox that can sync directly with Dropbox. Details are provided in this article. Click here and start typing: https://write-box.appspot.com/ . Although it is a simple text editor, it does give you a count of lines, words and characters. Also, you can change the font size and type, but it does not accept images.
"Be sure there is nothing confidential in your Dropbox account before allowing this app access. One never knows what or who WriteBox is all about."
Get More Storage via Dropbox
Use Dropbox? Jim Hamm shares this new info. "Want more free storage — up to 3 GB more? Here's how: On your iOS device upgrade to the latest version of Dropbox, then upload pictures from your iOS device to Dropbox. Everytime you do that, you'll get 500MB more storage up to a max of 3GB. Even if you remove the pictures later on, you get to keep the additional storage. I just did this with my iPhone, and while I was uploading the pictures I got a popup box from Dropbox on my computer (which I was using while the upload was going on) stating good news: your account has just been increased to 'x' GB of storage. Don't forget to turn wifi on to speed up the transfer of pictures." See this article.
Competition for iCloud
This article discusses Microsoft SkyDrive, a competitor to Apple's iCloud. David Passell sends this info for our iPad and iPhone users. He comments, "The closest I get to clouding (I just invented a new word!) is Dropbox."
Simple and Free
An article about the "Dropbox we all know and love" is how David Passell labels it. It's FREE 2 GB storage for your photos, docs, and videos that can simplify your life. He forwards this from writer David Pogue who calls DB a "free, delightful polished gem." Here's a 4 - 1/2 minute YouTube demo. This is from iTunes, and this is the latest V. 1.4.5 from Dropbox.
Dropbox Basics, Plus
Even if you’re not using Dropbox yet here is information to read and bookmark. The Macworld staff received 250 suggestions, and pruned them down to the sixty favorites, adding two of their own. At the end of the article they outline 3 things NOT to do with Dropbox.
Our Prez Art Gorski says, "I read this article when it came out in Macworld magazine and I use many of these tips myself. Dropbox currently has some minor problems in Lion that they are working on to fix."
And, here it is! Art informs us now: "Dropbox has released a new version compatible with Lion. Tips: Use the Dropbox menu to quit Dropbox before attempting to install the new version, otherwise you will be told the file is busy. Don't forget to relaunch Dropbox after installation." Here's that link; note you can view a video to learn about it.
Previous Prez Allen Laudenslager writes,"I hadn’t even heard of Dropbox . . ."
Jim Hamm tells us, “A good article that I'll keep and read and try out the different uses. I use DropBox all the time, but basically I use it just to transfer files between my old MacBook Pro and my new MacBook Air. My MBP doesn't have AirDrop like my new Air does, otherwise I'd use AirDrop to transfer files. Other people use DropBox as a storage device, but I don't. As I experiment with the different uses if I come up with some useful comments I'll let you know.”
Considering Dropbox
Whether or not you've made friends with Dropbox it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with it. Here's some very important information, just released by Dropbox on 7-1-11, notifying me by email on 7-2-11 at 7:49 pm. By this time there were so many complaints and comments posted there it would take 114 pages to print it. The blog explains TOS, (Terms of Service), privacy policy and security. By continuing to use Dropbox you automatically agree to the new TOS which takes effect 7-15-11.
Discussing Dropbox
If you use Dropbox or just want to know more about it, here is an informative article from the Windows Secrets Newsletter forwarded to us from Jim Hamm. It concerns the privacy of data you keep stored on their server. Jim says, "I don't store anything of a sensitive or private nature in Dropbox — which I use frequently and find very helpful — so I'm not concerned about the privacy issue. The article goes on to explain some alternatives to Dropbox as well." Art Gorski responds with an offer to do a demo.