Any Dropbox aficionados ?

[JohnnyOldBoy]

A friend has just sent me a link so I can view some photos hosted in her Dropbox account.

I hit the link and before I could view the photos I had to create an account, download and install some software. This seems a bit over the top to me and I don’t like installing any un-necessary software on my PC; I am nervous about software which could access my Outlook contacts.

Did she send me the correct link ?

I use MS OneDrive myself for this type of thing and it is very simple.

 

[Leasouth]

A friend has just sent me a link so I can view some photos hosted in her Dropbox account.

I hit the link and before I could view the photos I had to create an account, download and install some software. This seems a bit over the top to me and I don’t like installing any un-necessary software on my PC; I am nervous about software which could access my Outlook contacts.

Did she send me the correct link ?

I use MS OneDrive myself for this type of thing and it is very simple.

I have a shared Dropbox account on my desktop PC and laptop and phone and tablet, no sign of any Outlook details or contacts on the account.

If you're worried about your friends link just download a FOC Dropbox account from www.dropbox.com.

 

[wessie]

If you get a dropbox link for a shared file or photo then dropbox will try to get you to sign up with a pop-up box.

Just close the pop-ups and carry on downloading the shared file.

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SIGN UP despite what it might look like

 

[JKW]

As wessie said, you should not have to sign up to Dropbox to view someone else's files. I use DB for a social organisation I'm involved with (Excel and Word files with lists of people attending events, newsletters, that sort of thing) and find the ability to assign different permissions to individuals very useful (view only, edit, create). I can also access it very simply from Apple, Android and Windows devices - there are Dropbox apps for all 3.

The advantage of having others sign up is that each time you invite someone to access and they do sign up is that you both get an extra tranche of free online storage. Seems a bit 'pyramid scheme' but no downside that I can think of.

 

[stolzy]

YOU DO NOT HAVE TO SIGN UP despite what it might look like

That.

 

[JohnnyOldBoy]

Thanks

I couldn't avoid signing up and installing the software.

Seems kind of old fashioned, a bit like those software installs which try to change your default browsers if you are not careful. My PC is my personal space and I don't install software I don't need.

In her business she has to share images with clients and I guess some of these clients will have secure PCs which won't allow the install of new software.

Just been looking at Picassa and and this may be a better solution for her.