Playing with Cloud Storage - Box vs Dropbox

Last night, I took advantage of Box.net’s promotion offering 25GB of free storage for life to new users. While the concept of cloud storage and file sharing has been around for a few years, I didn’t find it particularly useful in my workflow. However, some of my closest friends swear by it and have even gone as far as using cloud storage as a personal music library, streaming their files to their computers and phones.

So, what was the experience like?

To be honest, I wasn’t entirely certain if I truly needed cloud storage at this moment. My work environment has undergone significant changes, especially since I planned to move cross-country and sold my Pro desktop. With only a MacBook Air at my disposal, I had to make adjustments to my workflow. However, the advantage of this setup is that I can focus on what matters most. This is now my sole machine, and I’m not planning to purchase another one anytime soon. Maybe I’ll consider expanding it with a 27-inch Apple Thunderbolt display, but that’s a story for another time.

When I came across Box.net’s promotion for 25GB of storage, I didn’t hesitate to sign up. Unfortunately, right after signing up, I discovered an even better promotion offering 50GB. It seems that human nature often succumbs to greed.

Now, I find myself with 25GB of cloud storage located somewhere physically, but I’m unsure of what to do with it.

First and foremost, I haven’t stored any important data that requires encryption. I haven’t saved any NSFW content or anything particularly private. Some individuals might focus on reinforcing security measures, but for my needs, simplicity suffices. However, when it comes to my clients’ data, I take a different approach. Although the projects aren’t of a sensitive nature, I prefer not to keep them solely on my Air’s SSD. Instead, I’ve transferred the files I’m currently working on to my laptop, while the remaining files have found a home on an external drive, safely stored in my house.

I also have a mini server that serves as a Time Machine backup and facilitates torrent downloads. Consequently, I’m now considering expanding my backup options.

I proceeded to download Box’s client app and installed it on my Mac. It created a Box Documents folder on my home drive, which mirrors the contents of the folder to the cloud. The idea behind this approach was to have an online cloud backup, free of charge. However, it’s worth noting that Box.net imposes a file size limit of 250MB, meaning that files larger than 250MB won’t be uploaded. Fortunately, apart from my iPhoto Library and Movies, most of my music and other data can be uploaded without any issues.

Now, what sets cloud storage apart from online backup?

In simple terms, online backup allows you to upload as many files as you have, without any limitations. Regardless of storage capacity or upload limits, the service will securely store your files. One online backup service I highly recommend is Backblaze. They have been in the industry for years and offer unlimited backup for just $5 per month. However, it’s important to understand that online backup is not synonymous with cloud storage. Once files are uploaded and subsequently deleted from your computer, they will also be removed from the online backup after 30 days.

Cloud storage, on the other hand, retains multiple versions of files and allows for seamless access. If you wish to delete a file, you must log in to the cloud storage platform’s website and delete it from there. It’s worth noting that I haven’t extensively tested this feature. My usage has primarily been limited to my iPhone and Mac. I’ve taken photos, uploaded them, and observed them appearing on my computer. Deleting a photo on my iPhone didn’t remove it from the cloud storage; it only disappeared after I deleted it via the web interface. Mileage may vary, so conducting thorough research is advisable. Furthermore, cloud storage platforms synchronize data across multiple computers, offering a convenient solution for individuals using multiple machines such as desktops and laptops who desire identical files on both devices.

Despite this, I found the idea of utilizing 25GB of cloud storage as my online backup appealing. Why online backup? Because my intention isn’t to share files or synchronize multiple machines. There may be instances where I leave my computer at home but require access to specific files. In such cases, I can effortlessly log in from any computer and download the necessary files. This flexibility is also advantageous for working on my iPhone or iPad.

However, I encountered a problem—cloud storage doesn’t offer the flexibility to choose my own folders. It creates its own designated folder, and I’m restricted to syncing files within that folder. This limitation didn’t align with my preferences.

Fortunately, I was aware of a potential workaround: symbolic linking. By using the command “ln -s /Folder-to-link” I could point out multiple folders to back up into the Box Documents folder without needing to relocate them. I had previously used this method to link my home folder from a RAID array, and it had worked successfully.

Unfortunately, my attempt to utilize symbolic linking with Box’s app was unsuccessful. Disappointed, I turned to their knowledge base, only to discover that their client app doesn’t support symbolic linking. It felt like a missed opportunity.

As a result, I deleted my Box account and left a message explaining why. After conducting further research, I decided to sign up for Dropbox based on positive feedback regarding its compatibility with symbolic linking. While Box.net is highly regarded among enterprises, Dropbox caters more effectively to consumers.

Dropbox provides a free sign-up offer of 2GB, which can be increased to 18GB through referrals. Importantly, Dropbox doesn’t impose any limitations on file uploads. Consequently, if my iPhoto Library doesn’t exceed 2GB, I can back it up without any issues. This explains why I’ve received numerous invitations from friends to sign up for Dropbox.

Another aspect that appealed to me about Dropbox is its intuitive web interface. It’s clean, easy to navigate, and superior to Box in terms of user experience. Although I haven’t tested the speed of downloading and uploading files, it’s not a significant concern as long as you have a fast, unrestricted internet connection.

With my decision made, I uninstalled the Box app and proceeded to download and install the Dropbox app. To my delight, symbolic linking worked flawlessly. I successfully backed up all the folders I had linked, and I could access them via Dropbox’s website. Additionally, photos taken on my iPhone automatically synced to my desktop within the Dropbox folder. For photo syncing, it’s important to have the Dropbox app running on your iPhone. It’s worth noting that this approach differs from iCloud. One notable advantage is the conservation of bandwidth and battery life. By linking my iPhone, I gained an extra 500MB of storage. Although 2.5GB may seem limited, I can manage my usage to stay within the provided capacity. It’s hard to complain about something that’s free. Furthermore, since I have all my data backed up on my Time Machine server, there’s minimal cause for concern.

At this point, I haven’t had extensive real-life usage as I haven’t required on-the-go access to my files. Nevertheless, knowing that I can access them from anywhere and that I have multiple copies stored in the cloud and on my personal server brings me peace of mind. Cloud storage doesn’t replace online backup, but if you can adapt to its limitations, it’s a worthwhile endeavor—especially if you lack any form of backup. Keep in mind that storing files on another partition or drive doesn’t constitute a reliable backup strategy as long as they remain on the same physical drive.

You may not feel an immediate need for cloud storage, but if you have the bandwidth to spare, I highly recommend signing up. After all, it’s free. This makes it particularly beneficial for students. Additionally, you can easily share files or folders with colleagues, which proves advantageous for collaborative assignments. However, exercise caution when sharing—avoid sharing sensitive personal data that could be accessed by the public.

Personally, I’m eagerly awaiting the day when Box supports symbolic linking or offers the flexibility to choose my own folders. Until then, I’ll continue relying on my mini server as my primary backup solution.