Top 5 Reasons to Use Dropbox

For those of you who don’t know what Dropbox is all about, it is a website that provides online storage and backup, while syncing your information across multiple devices. In simple terms, you have a folder with all your files, and it’s automatically replicated to your laptop and office computer. Cool.

 

Reason 1: Data Backup

Any geek will tell you that having a backup of your information is great. Why? Because if your computer fails you don’t have to pull out all your hair! Could you imagine if your favourite family photographs, 3 month work project or your favourite recipes were  suddenly all gone?

By using Dropbox you can automatically sync your files to an online repository and never have to worry about your computer crashing again. (To be fair, you still have to worry about your computer crashing, but you don’t have to worry about losing all your information!)

Reason 2: Access from Anywhere

You’ve worked all night on your home computer finishing many little projects and you rush in early to work, just to realize you didn’t copy the files you needed to your USB drive, you call your wife but she’s already left for work, frantically you call home, but that lazy kid is still sleeping and can’t email you the file… oh no!

Oh yes! If you had been using drop box, your computer or laptop would have been automatically synced to the copy from your home computer and instead of running around frantically, you could have been sipping a cup of coffee enjoying the scenery of the Vancouver waterfront.

Dropbox installs as a client on each of your internet enable devices, from iPads and iPhones to Laptops and Desktop computers – you will get an up to date synced copy of your information everywhere. It doesn’t matter where you are sitting and working, you update one location, all the others get updated, it’s just easy.

Reason 3: File Sharing

Once you have installed drop box there is a couple of really interesting ways to share files. You can create entire folders which can be shared out to one or more people, or you can send a public link to a specific file for people to download.

If you decide to share out a folder, you can specify who has access to the folder and they can actually collaborate on the file.

Reason 4: Old Versions of your files

I don’t know about you, but from time to time I’ll be working on a file, then I will accidently delete something from the file, hit save, close the program, suddenly realise my error – then with my heart beating faster I open the program to my dismay to see all the work gone.

Dropbox gives you the ability to recover previous version of your files. By default you can recover up to three versions of your files, but if you pay a little more you can actually get unlimited versioning!

Reason 5: It’s pretty cheap

Dropbox gives you 2GB of storage for free, and you can get a little more if you refer friends, but honestly for $99/year for 50GB of storage, it’s a pretty darn good deal if you ask me.

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7 Best Business Apps for iPad

If you were to define iPads purpose as a device, you would probably say that its mostly an entertainment device. It is not quite often refered to as a high end business device that can make your daily business life much easier. Basically, iPad can offer almost the same business opportunities as any laptop. But iPad itself is only a piece of hardware.
To fully ulitise its capabilities you need to know what to use in business. Here are the 10 best Apps you really need to have a look at in terms of business use:

1. Pages (PAYED)

A very nice word processor made by Apple which is compatible with Microsoft Word. It allows you create but also design your own documents, so you are not limited at all.
It is very easy to use. You are able to created high quality documents, brochures, designs or reports. You will be also able to edit MS Word documents and export your files to Word or PDF. Mutual iPad and Windows/Mac files sharing (through iCloud) is also possible. Seems like the greatest word processor zou can find for a mobile device, quite worth the money.




2. Numbers (PAYED)

Apples native application for creating and editing spredsheet documents, alternative to MS Excel. Over 250 functions are available for use. Also various templates are present.
You can create formulas and dynamic tables with charts easily. Similar as with Pages, you can open and edit a MS Excel document and use PDF export, or export as Numbers 09 format.
You can use iTunes to share spreadsheet files between Windows, Mac and iPad. If you know Media Browser you can access your photos and movies from iPhoto.
Current version is from October 2011 with CSV spport drag and drop interface for iOS devices and improved compatibility with MS Excel.





3. Dropbox (FREE)

Powerfull tool for sharing files via within cloud. After installation any file you save to your Dropbox will be automatically saved to all your computers and apple devices such as iPad, iPhone and even the dropbox website. You can take everything that matters for your business with you on the go.
The first 2GB of storage space is free. If you decide to go for a paid subscription you can get 50, 100GB or even a special Team Account of 1TB. The only difference between functionality of paid and unpaid subscription is the amounth of space you get. 




 
4. WebEx for iPad (FREE)

Application used for online meetings on iPad. Since iPad2, 2-way video is available.  Simultaneous data and audio transfer. Voice activated video switching similar to the Google Hangout which spotlight active talker is present. The app has one catch - if you want to schedule a WebEx meeting, you have to have a WebEx subscription and you must start the meeting from PC or Mac. 





5. Dictionary & Thesaurus (FREE)

This dictionary can be used for personal or business use. It has over one million words and definitions based on Random House Unabridged Dictionary. It also includes Roget’s 21st Century Thesaurus with more than 90 000 synonyms. You dont need to be connected to the internet as the database is offline. Searching for words is very simple, similar to that you use on dictionary.com - you are given  suggestions to find match to the words that you entered.





6. GoodReader (PAYED)

This application is a very-robust PDF reader for Ipad. Its the number 1 best sellin non-Apple app for iPad in 2010 in USA. You can use it for reading books, magazines viewing maps, pictures. Files of size over 100MB can be opened and operated quickly. Surprisingly it can also handle MS Office files as well as most of audio and video files.
Files can be imported from various online services and then organized in apps interface.





7. Evernote (FREE)

A powerfull notepad application which allows you to note everything down using any other devices. You can build your own digital scrapbook compiled of links, pictures, texts,
sounds. You can organize and tag any items in your collection, use filters and search through your stuff. This app was introduced to apples App hall of fame.

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