Software Tips and Tricks: Dropbox and yWriter

  Today I'm going to introduce you to one of the most powerful and versatile programs on the Internet - Dropbox.  Dropbox is a program that synchronizes data from multiple computers and mobile devices using the Operating Systems own shell or window manager (i.e. Explorer or Gnome/KDE).  It also makes a backup copy on their servers and the files are accessible via Dropbox's website.
 Dropbox, like many applications I discuss, is multi-platform, and free for storage up to 2GBs.  If you find that 2GB is just too small, you can invest $9.99 a month for 50GB, and $19.99 a month for 100GB.

  Dropbox's greatest uses will be for those who have multiple computers, or those who don't have a backup method in place currently.  When installing Dropbox, you will be required to setup an account with Dropbox, and near the end of the installation you will be given the option to choose where the Dropbox folder will go.  In GNU/Linux Dropbox makes a folder named "Dropbox" in your Home directory.  In Windows Vista/7 it suggests "/Users/Johndoe/Documents/My Dropbox" as the default.  I prefer to have Dropbox a separate folder from my Documents folder.  My path was something like"/Users/Brandon/Dropbox".  Once Dropbox has finished installing you have two folders: Public and Pictures.  Now I suggest deleting both of these.  Public is a folder in which anything placed is available to the general public to peruse and use.  Not trusting my luck, I knew that I would accidentally put my amazing story in "Public" by accident and someone else would get it published.  Call me paranoid but I would like to limit that risk if at all possible.  The Picture's folder can be setup as a shared folder, but considering we are using Dropbox for writing, I would recommend removing it, too.

  Now that you have a clean, blank folder to work with, I suggest making a folder labeled Documents, or Writing, or something of the like.  For Windows 7 Users: Once you have made this folder, Right Click on the folder and drag your mouse down to where it says "Include in Library."  Continue mousing over to the Library "Documents" and voila!  You can now access your writing through the jump list in windows or through your library list in windows.  You can also create shared folders to share data between you and another Dropbox user.  This can be especially useful if you have a friend editing your work because it keeps a single, consistent copy in the shared folder.  You can have more than one person to a share, which can be great if you have a resource sheet or outline template you want to share with others.

  Another great tool, yWriter 5, also benefits from Dropbox.  With yWriter, you can set up folders in drop box to hold each project you are currently working on.  As a result, each time you open, edit, and then save a project, it is synced to all of the other computers you have running Dropbox and yWriter.  All you have to do is open that project on another computer, and all your characters, locations, and items as well as actual work are transferred over.  The only catch is that all pictures for locations, characters, and items must also be in the Dropbox folder or they will not sync over with everything else.

  This trick can be applied to Microsoft OneNote, Writer's Cafe, and any number of other programs.  Best of all, it's an on the fly, easy to use backup system.

  Leave any tips or tricks you have with Dropbox in the comments below.