Goodbye, Dropbox?

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Note: post might be full of referral links whenever I remember to link to the servicies. Grow up, don’t hate. You’re smart to by-pass the referral link and only use the domain part.

I have this (ongoing) project that consists in simplifying my digital life (and real life, but we won’t get there). This means: Don’t use (many) servicies or programs/apps/how-are-they-called-now? that do the same thing. Try one that fits all but with my standards in mind; Uninstall/close useless servicies/programs, etc. You get the idea.

I haven’t started yet, but the other day came into mind that I had “many” file syncing servicies (and must be included in the list). This is good for the free online/cloud/poof! space. However, believe it or not, I don’t use all of it. Maybe because I use it mainly for syncing/sharing quick files and not for hosting/sharing for a long time.

Let me sum up the servicies I use/have an account with:

  • Dropbox
  • SugarSync
  • Google Drive (it’s like Google+, you have the Google Account and you click a link, can’t beat that lazyness easy sign up procedure)
  • Box
  • and let’s not forget: Mediafire

MediaFire is not a file syncing but storage. I use it for sharing large files, for a long time or just host stuff (scripts, themes, programs, etc). I don’t remember how much space you got before but now you have 50GB for free (new or old accounts, hell yeah). It also has a program to upload/share easily from your desktop.

Then you have the “king” of file syncing, Dropbox. As I understand it, this one was the first to gain popularity, maybe because of Lifehacker. It creates a folder inside your Documents folders (you can change it afterwards) and you only sync that folder. You get the client for PCs, Android, etc. and it does sync fast (as soon as you save the document). The problem (at least for me) is that uses too much CPU in my Windows machine. When you create an account you get 2GB, with referrals you get 500MB (wow, they’ve increased it), 300MB of uploading cap with the web page.

SugarSync is a favorite of mine. It does sync to one folder, as Dropbox, but also syncs OTHER folders/files OUTSIDE that folder. That feature is not very common (haven’t seen another one). It has desktop clients and Android (etc). The Android version is a bit slow and is a battery sucker for me. I’m trying the new beta, probably it was fixed. You get 5GB when you create an account, 500MB per referral, with no caps.

Google Drive is the file document syncing service from Google. Haven’t fully tested it because it didn’t allow me to edit a document while offline. (Really Google?). I don’t know if it was changed or not. I don’t use many documents (word processors, spreadsheets, slides…) so “I don’t see the point of it”*. You get (according to the All mighty source of knowledge ) 5GB and 10GB uploading cap per file (=limitless).

logo_boxThen you have Box. To tell you the truth, I only created an account there because of the free 50GB offer for syncing. That’s it. Haven’t tested it yet, I only wanted the space to sync my podcasts. You get 5GB when you create an account (unless you’re lucky like me and can still get the 50GB offer) with a 250MB uploading cap… via web? it has a client, but I couldn’t find if the cap was applied to it.

So, Why make a big deal if you have 122GB for file storage/sync? Man, are you crazy?. Because:

  1. Hey! I have more space that those 122GB.
  2. Dropbox has the least space storage
  3. I can close it and I wouldn’t miss it
  4. Only syncs one folder
  5. SugarSync does what Dropbox do plus more
  6. Dropbox’s client is painfully CPU hungry (on PC)
  7. other reasons… but I like the sketchy images.

The only thing I’m going to miss from Dropbox is its popularity. My notes app (Android, Epistle ) DOES sync with it. It’s very nice and everything (even has markdown support) but it can be easily replaced: just use wiki software and sync that SD folder with SugarSync (or wait until the next CintaNotes and hope the free version syncs with SimpleNotes). It might not be as fast as syncing with the little (light?)blue box, but I don’t care. I don’t use the notes app that much (maaan, I… I… I just like writing on paper).

So yeah, I might trash it, change it, melt – upgrade it! technologic… Sorry, I had to do that… I’m going to test (some day, maybe today… end of the year you know) to live without Dropbox (wouldn’t be hard) and replace it with SugarSync.

One program less, 10MB gained in my cellphone, cut one account off to maintain and sync. I bet it would feel great. Who wants to join the “digital life diet”? I have cookies (or cake-it’s real )😀

*It does allow you to sync text files and images. I have heavy use for them (not thaaaaaaaaaaaat heavy but comparing to the other ones, I do) but I still see no point in using Google Drive just for that when I can have other service to do so. Unless Google Drive now has image editing.

Hunting for an outliner/task list manager

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This was suppose to be a review of the program below but this idea is better as it joins two posts in one (the world is in economic crisis)

I think if you follow me on the twitters you must be super tired (and probably muted) my tweets about Bonsai and a replacement for it (taking the consideration that is abandoware now).

I have tried many during the last year? (don’t remember) many programs (apps seem to be called now), servicies; none of them I liked.

Lets make a list of my requirements.

Cute list of author’s requirements:

  • in place adding and editing
  • filtering
  • notes for items
  • subtasks / hierarchical list
  • display options/workspaces/desktops
  • outliner + to do list (same program) with project/tasks item (progress bar)
  • priority
  • dates (created, due, completed)
  • keywords / category / tags
  • export
  • no database format if possible, but I take sqlite.
  • import
  • Easy keyboard shortcuts or let me change them
  • sorting
  • no web version, unless is very uncluttered/simple/minimalistic (like workflowy) or give me a PC version
  • free
  • search
  • print
  • fast loading/opening

Nice to have but not necessary:

  • zoom into branch
  • link to files
  • customize colors by priority, keyword, dates…
  • portable
  • android version with easy sync (free)
  • Insert date/time

That’s it… I don’t think I ask for too much. There is this program that it’s very close to that but it has it downsides:

Program in question: My Life Organized (MLO for short).

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