All software packages that I will be mentioning in this post are available for other distributions of linux, but I am mainly going to focus on the installation and configuration for ubuntu.

Dropbox

Dropbox is one of my favorite pieces of software.  In addition to dropbox backing up files, it is also great for sharing files between computers, and friends.  Their software works on Macs, PCs, and Linux operating systems.  In this review, I am going to be focusing on the ubuntu linux operating system.

After you download the software for your computer, and create an account, a folder is created in your home folder (or wherever you chose to put it) labeled dropbox.  This folder initially comes with a few files in it to show you how it works.  There is also a photos folder in here by default (you can delete it) that you can add folders and images to, and then share via the web.  To do this, you place all of the files you want to share into a folder, and then right click on the folder, and select dropbox/copy public gallery link.  You can send this link to any friends, or share it on the web.  Here is an example of one of my dropbox albums that I made:

Files are automatically synced to the dropbox servers (hosted by amazon s3), and all revisions of your files are saved (so if you mess up a document that you are creating and saved, you can go back to a previous save point.  This is very similar to svn revisioning, expcept it automatically occurs every time you save.  When a file is being uploaded, the overlay icon changes from a checkmark, and when it is done it changes back to a checkmark.  Uploads and downloads are generally very speedy (obviously depending on your connection).

Syced Dropbox Folders

Folder Syncing

There is also a web interface for dropbox from which you can share folders, restore files and revisions of files, and even upload files.  I have used the dropbox software in the past to share folders with other people, and to upload files to my computer when I am on a public computer.

Pros:

• Fast syncing
• Easy to use
• Sharing features
• Photo albums
• Revisions saved

Cons:

• You can’t host the data yourself
• You are limited to 2gb of space unless you pay more.
• All files you want to sync have to be in the dropbox folder (they have said they will fix this in the future)

Overall, Dropbox offers a great way to sync, share, and backup your files between different computers.  The features are a little bit limiting, but they do this to try and keep the software simple to use.  The development of this application is very active, and I can see them sticking around for a while.

Dropbox – Secure online backup, file sync and sharing made easy

Unison

Unison is a great piece of software through which you can backup folders and sync folders between computers.  This is an open source software that works on Macs, PCs, and Linux operating systems.

This software does not have the ability to be accessed from a web interface (I am sure you could share the folder you backup to if you have a webserver though), and does not have the ability to share folders and make photo albums, but it is great at syncing files between computers, or for using to backup your files.

I use unison in addition to dropbox for files that do not change very often, yet I still want to backup.  Since dropbox only gives 2gb for free, I use that for backing up and sharing my school files, and other documents, while I use unison to backup my pictures and music to my server.

When you first open unison, you can create different profiles and select two directories to sync:

Unison Profile

You can sync two local directories, or you can choose to sync a local directory with a remote directory, such as a ssh directory.  On my computer, I sync local folders to a remote ssh server.

Unison Checking for Changes

After unison finishes checking for changes, you can choose what to do with the changes on each on, and then sync the files.  Unison can be run from the command line, so setting up a cronjob to automatically sync/backup a folder would not be very difficult.

Pros:

• Open source
• You can backup to your own server
• Unlimited (or as much storage as you have) storage for no extra cost
• It’s in the repositories

Cons:

• The interface can be a little bit confusing at first
• Folders are not automatically synced (but can be via a cronjob)

Overall, unison provides a great way to sync/backup folders on computers to a server.  It may not be as easy or intuitive to use as dropbox, but you own the backups instead of relying on “cloud” storage.

Installing:
sudo apt-get install unison

SBackup

SBackup is another service that allows you to backup a specific directories to a remote server, or to a local directory. By default the program backs up the folders you chose to you /var/backup directory.

The interface is relatively easy to use.  You can manually do backups, use the recommended automatic backup schedule/settings, or do use a custom backup schedule.  The gui provides an easy way to select directories that you want to include/exclude, when you went to backup, where you want to backup to, and what you want to do with old backups (purging).

SBackup Gui

The interface appears to be well though out, and it is quite easy to use.  There is a separate interface from which you can restore files and directories from your backup to your computer.

SBackup looks perfect for anytime you want to automatically/manually backup folders on your computer.  It does not offer instant syncing like some other services, or “cloud storage,” but it is relatively fast and easy to use for its intended functionality.

Pros:

• Easy to use
• No command line required
• Can sync to your own server/backup drive

Cons:

• Requires extra storage to backup to
• No “cloud storage”
• No sharing features

SpiderOak

SpiderOak is another service that is quite similar to dropbox. I found it after I began using dropbox, and I was wondering what alternatives there were to dropbox. One particular function that I noticed/liked was the ability to select specific folders to sync instead of just having one folder where I had to move all of my files to. It seemed to be a lot easier to switch to using spideroak as opposed to switching to using dropbox.

Spideroak does work on Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems like dropbox, and unison do. This allows you to use it for crossplatform syncing.

SpiderOak Gui

The interface seems to be a bit more complex than both dropbox and unison, but once you get used to it, it is quite powerful. Dropbox focuses on making their program easy to use and setup, while SpiderOak appears to put more focus on functionality.

There is a web interface for SpiderOak that you can use to accces and edit your files remotely. This is great for printing or editing files from the library or other remote location.

SpiderOak Webinterface

Spideroak does say that they encrypt your data when you upload it, so they do not know what your data is, and cannot access it. I am unsure if this means you use your own encryption key, or if they use one encryption key for all of their files as dropbox does (this seems to be one common complaint against dropbox.

Pros:

• Powerful software
• Sharing functionality

Cons:

• A little bit difficult to get used to
• Syncing does not automatically occur when files get updated, but instead at a preset interval.

Overall, the software appears to be a very powerful and easy way to backup your files between computers, or to the internet. The interface is a little bit difficult to grasp at first, but after a while, it become easier to use, and more intuitive.