For anyone who works from more than one computer, synchronizing files is an important issue. If you can’t access the latest version of your grant proposal or the revised version of that syllabus; frustration is bound to ensue. Carrying files around on USB drives and emailing attachments to yourself are possible solutions, but there are a variety of web-based tools that provide better options for having constant access to the files you need.
Three Tools for Staying Synchronized:
- UDrive
- Google Docs
- Drop Box
UDrive – https://udrive.oit.umass.edu
UDrive is OIT’s file storage and sharing system. Users can save files to UDrive so that they can be accessed via any computer with an Internet connection. In addition to being a simple way to move files from one computer to another, UDrive can also be used to easily and securely share files with collaborators. By default UDrive offers 1 GB of storage space (additional space is available for instructors upon request). Regular users of UDrive should be sure to set up a “WebDAV” connection to drag-and-drop files directly between their computer and UDrive, which makes synchronizing files quick and easy. To learn more about UDrive, go to: http://www.oit.umass.edu/udrive/
GoogleDocs – https://docs.google.com/
GoogleDocs is an online file storage and collaboration system provided by Google. Google Docs can be used to pass files back and forth, but its strength is the ability to edit them online. I regularly use GoogleDocs as a graduate student and as an instructor, for its online collaboration tools that allow me and collaborators to directly edit text, spreadsheets, and presentations directly in a web browser. Recent additions to Google Docs have added diagraming tools and a form/survey creator.
To learn more about Google Docs, check out this video: Google Docs in Plain English: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRqUE6IHTEA
Dropbox – http://www.dropbox.com/
Dropbox is a commercial file storage and sharing system. Functionally, it is similar to UDrive, but it has many advantages in terms of usability and organization. It offers a simple program you can install on your computer to manage files and settings directly from your desktop, in addition to its web interface. Dropbox offers 2 GB of free storage with additional space available for a fee.
To learn more about Google, check out this video:: Dropbox in Plain English: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghKdYKZ1Sts
What do you use to keep your files synchronized?