Dropbox is a Web-based file hosting service operated by Dropbox, Inc. that uses cloud computing to enable users to store and share files and folders with others across the Internet using file synchronization. It was founded in 2007 by Drew Houston and Arash Ferdowsi as a Y Combinator startup. There are both free and paid services, each with varying options. In comparison to similar services, Dropbox offers a relatively large number of user clients across a variety of desktop and mobile operating systems. There are a total of 10 clients, including versions for Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux (official and unofficial), as well as versions for mobile devices, such as Android, Windows Phone 7, iPhone, iPad and BlackBerry, and a web-based client for when no local client is installed. Dropbox uses the freemium financial model and its free service provides 2 GB of free online storage. Users who refer Dropbox to others can gain up to 8 GB of free storage. The service's major competitors include Box.net, Egnyte, Windows Live SkyDrive, Ubuntu One, SugarSync, Mozy, ZumoDrive, SpiderOak and Wuala.
This book is your ultimate resource for Dropbox. Here you will find the most up-to-date information, analysis, background and everything you need to know.
In easy to read chapters, with extensive references and links to get you to know all there is to know about Dropbox right away, covering: Dropbox (service), Comparison of online backup services, Remote backup service, Attix5 Online Backup, Carbonite (online backup), Comodo Backup, CTERA Networks, ASUS WebStorage, Egnyte, Filesanywhere, I-drive, Livedrive, Memeo, Memopal, MiMedia, Moozone, Mozy, Syncdocs, Syncplicity, Windows Live Mesh, Windows Live SkyDrive, Zmanda Cloud Backup, ZumoDrive, File hosting service, 4shared, ADrive, Amazon CloudFront, Amazon S3, Aminet, Badongo, Box.net, Comparison of file hosting services, Download.com, DreamHost, Drop.io, ElephantDrive, FilePlanet, Files2send.com, FileServe, FilesTube, GameFront, Google Docs, Google Storage, Hotfile, Humyo, IDisk, Info-Mac, IWork.com, Jungle Disk, KeepVault, MajorGeeks.com, MediaFire, Megaupload, MobileMe, Office Web Apps, Omnidrive, Omploader, Ourmedia, Parcom, Putfile, RapidShare, SendSpace, ShareFile, ShowDocument, Showstash, Simtel, Smartsheet, Softonic.com, Softpedia, SpiderOak, Steek (brand), Ubuntu One, WinFiles, Wuala, Xdrive (website)
This book explains in-depth the real drivers and workings of Dropbox. It reduces the risk of your technology, time and resources investment decisions by enabling you to compare your understanding of Dropbox with the objectivity of experienced professionals.