The compact disc (CD) was originally introduced to the world in 1982 and, since that switch to the 12 cm wide (standard size) disc, there have been numerous formats released in the same size and shape. CD’s, DVD’s, Blu-Ray and HD DVDs, a multitude of computer writable discs, plus video games for consoles like the XBOX, XBOX360, Playstation 3, Wii, etc., have taken over and it seems this format will be here for many years to come. Even though most of us didn’t purchase or begin collecting these optical discs until the mid-90’s, we all have a collection of some sort.
Organizing this collection of digital data and keeping track of what we have becomes more and more difficult as time goes on. Storage cabinets, boxes, shelving units, entertainment centers and other furniture options are available at every store from Walgreens to Ikea and everyone has owned a few in hopes of keeping their collection organized, accessible and visually appealing. No matter what you have to hold your data, it is most likely a temporary solution, as you’ll soon be purchasing that latest album, movie or video game.
Do you have a favorite band that you just love to follow? You know, the kind of rock stars that have you waiting in line for tickets, buying actual albums in person and joining fan clubs. For you “non-music” people, maybe you have a favorite actor, author, athlete, etc. You just can’t wait for their next appearance or release. In my world (the world of computers and gadgets) Dropbox is that rock star!!
I have written about Dropbox repeatedly and used their product religiously since a good friend introduced me to the service. If you haven’t already been introduced, let me the one to tell you all about it (see Introduction below). For those of you who are already fans, this week’s news was like getting a new double-album and a FREE concert. You veterans can jump on down to the WOW! section to see the latest from our rock stars.
The article posted below is the latest (originally posted 2/17/10) in a long line of articles about one of our very favorite utilities/programs called Dropbox. The blog post itself should have been enough to convince any PC user to begin integrating Dropbox into their daily routine, but the owners of this already well-known company have gone and “sweetened the pot.” Recent changes (shown throughout the article) have made Dropbox even more accessible and attractive. Read on and enjoy!
JumpstartMyPC.com was started to help PC users get the most out of their computer and no product exemplifies this idea like Dropbox! Dropbox is a file-syncing, file sharing, online backup tool that you can access from just about anywhere and you can start using it for FREE! I have written about this product many times, shared it with clients, friends and family and I use it myself, every single day. If you aren’t using it yet, you are in for a real treat. If you are using it, read on to find out what’s new and how you can now access your files without even using a computer.
That old computer has made it’s final stand. You’ve tried everything to speed it up and exhausted yourself in the process. The day has come to upgrade to a shiny, new PC with all of the bells-n-whistles that will (hopefully) keep you chugging along the information super highway for the next few years. When you get that new desktop/laptop computer up and running and transfer all of your data over, you’ll have another big decision to make… What do you do with your old computer?
A quick search of the internet will provide you with tens, maybe even hundreds, of ideas for re-purposing an old PC, but time, space and/or a limited budget will lead most to the final decision of trashing that old PC. If you’ve come to this decision, then you have most likely asked yourself (and others) “what should I do with the hard drive?” No doubt you have heard the horror stories and rumors of information stolen from discarded drives and are aware of the potential dangers of simply tossing that hard drive out on the curb. Just in case you haven’t, you should know that throwing an old drive out is the equivalent of tossing out your wallet, with all of your credit cards and ID still in it.
JumpstartMyPC.com was started to help PC users get the most out of their computer and no product exemplifies this idea like Dropbox! Dropbox is a file-syncing, file sharing, online backup tool that you can access from just about anywhere and you can start using it for FREE! I have written about this product many times, shared it with clients, friends and family and I use it myself, every single day. If you aren’t using it yet, you are in for a real treat. If you are using it, read on to find out what’s new and how you can now access your files without even using a computer.
DropBox is a storage application and service operated by Evenflow, Inc. The service enables users to store and sync files online and between computers. There are many great features to this product, but best of all IT IS FREE. Click below and watch the video (created by the folks at CommonCraft) to see for yourself.
Much of this article is a repost of a blog that we featured on September 10th, titled Save and access your files in a flash, without a flash drive. Recently, I have had the privilege of introducing Dropbox to several clients of JumpstartMyPC.com who were very happy with the features and how easy it was to use the product.
A few years ago, Flash drives (also known as Jump or USB drives) become very popular. At first, they were a bit pricey and you were lucky to get a 2GB drive for under a hundred dollars. As the popularity grew and the manufacturing price dropped, so did the price of these drives. They are now so inexpensive and plentiful you can find them in a bowl by the register, right next to the gum and “extra change” dish. These drives are great, but they have their limitations. Lack of security, damage, loss, limited space…. Well, there is a new sheriff in town, and its name is Dropbox.
One of the main reasons that I upgraded to new PCs over the years was hard drive space. My first computer held less than a CD of information. The next one, less than a DVD. So on and so on. Until recently, it really wasn’t affordable to add more hard drive space or storage to a computer. Within the last 2 years, the price of this storage has dropped like a lead balloon. Now I can keep every song, TV show and movie I ever dreamed of and I would like to continue to add more. There is one major hurdle to this thought process however. How do I take it all with me?
Mobility has become one of the key factors in most every tech/gadget purchase we make. Smaller, lighter, faster, easier…. These are all the buzzwords that surround a truly cool gadget and they all apply to hard drive space as well. Sure, I can run out and buy a 1TB external hard drive for under $100. The problem is that I have to lug it around with my laptop if I want all of my music, photos, movies, etc. As part of our ongoing “celebration” of the Windows 7 release on Thursday, today’s topic is for those who really do NOT plan on upgrading.
The compact disc (CD) was originally introduced to the world in 1982 and, since that switch to the 12 cm wide (standard size) disc, there have been numerous formats released in the same size and shape. CD’s, DVD’s, Blu-Ray and HD DVDs, a multitude of computer writable discs, plus video games for consoles like the XBOX, XBOX360, Playstation 3, Wii, etc., have taken over and it seems this format will be here for many years to come. Even though most of us didn’t purchase or begin collecting these optical discs until the mid-90’s, we all have a collection of some sort.
A few years ago, Flash drives (also known as Jump or USB drives) become very popular. At first, they were a bit pricey and you were lucky to get a 2GB drive for under a hundred dollars. As the popularity grew and the manufacturing price dropped, so did the price of these drives. They are now so inexpensive and plentiful you can find them in a bowl by the register, right next to the gum and “extra change” dish. These drives are great, but they have their limitations. Lack of security, damage, loss, limited space…. Well, there is a new sheriff in town, and its name is Dropbox.
One of the main reasons that I upgraded to new PCs over the years was hard drive space. My first computer held less than a CD of information. The next one, less than a DVD. So on and so on. Until recently, it really wasn’t affordable to add more hard drive space or storage to a computer. Within the last 2 years, the price of this storage has dropped like a lead balloon. Now I can keep every song, TV show and movie I ever dreamed of and I would like to continue to add more. There is one major hurdle to this thought process however. How do I take it all with me?
