Dropbox

Quitting Dropbox

I've had a Dropbox Plus account for many years, but lately I find I use it less and less, and it's becoming bloated with useless features.

I have other options for backup and easy access :

• Dokuwiki (two separate wikis : personal and business) - accessible via web from anywhere - VPS has a 20GB hard drive for file storage
• VPS directly - using rsync or Unison
• NAS - 2TB on home LAN (make accessible externally via HTTP?)
• Google Drive - Free 15GB - sync with PC, Web, Phone - simpler replacement for Dropbox
• Photos from phone automatically back-up (low resolution) to Google Photos
  • Download occasionally via USB to Shack Laptop then delete originals from phone
  • rsync from Shack Laptop → NAS1 Pictures share

1. Move wanted document files etc. from Dropbox to NAS, until up against the big “Pictures” folder….
2. Delete large bulk of files (i.e. those already safe on NAS1) from Dropbox
3. Start caja-dropbox on shack laptop and allow it to sync the remaining files (predominantly Pictures plus some remaining documents etc.)
4. Once everything is on Shack Laptop or NAS box → stop caja-dropbox on Laptop → delete Dropbox's copies of everything needed to get below 2GB
5. rsync everything else to NAS1 from Shack Laptop
6. Downgrade Dropbox account cancel subscription → Confirm refund of this year's subscription → when absolutely certain Delete Dropbox account

• This Laptop now seems not to get bogged down every time you do anything, once Dropbox is gone!

— John Pumford-Green 02/05/23 08:28