5 Advantages of Dropbox

Dropbox is a cloud computing solution that is quick and easy to use and has many advantages

1 – Using multiple computers
Working with multiple computers becomes very easy. Just setup your additional computers or login at dropbox online. If you use an iPad or iPhone for example you can identify these as additional devices that will have access to your files· Once you have linked your computers you will have access to the Dropbox files even if your 2nd computer is not connected to the Internet as long as the upload / download process has been completed.

When you use a computer at the library, the lab, the office or public kiosk – all you have to do is go to www.dropbox.com and login to your account and your files are immediately available to you. No more need to carry around files on a flash drive.

Your files are available on your iPad, your iPhone or any computer that has internet access.

2 – Backing up your files
Use Dropbox as a reliable backup system for your files. As you write and edit files continue to save your files in the Dropbox folder and sub folders and you will automatically backing up your files.

3 – Moving to new computer
When you move to a new computer it is often a hassle transferring your files. Using dropbox makes this much easier since you have access to your files from any computer.

4 – Collaborating on projects
Sharing your folder with individuals on your team is simple. You click on SHARE you can invite one or more people by entering their email addresses. Once they have registered with Dropbox they will be able to see the folder or file you are sharing and view, download or edit it. Dropbox keeps versions of your files so you are always able to see the version history.

Collaborating on a project becomes easier. When you share a folder with one or more persons everyone can upload and view files in the folder.

5 – Sharing Files
Dropbox makes it easy to share files with your friends and colleagues. There are automatic folders setup in dropbox if you want to use for public sharing of files or documents. Each document has a unique URL that you can use to share individual files. This can even be used as a URL for playing a video that you have stored in a Dropbox folder.

Getting Setup with Dropbox
Create your account at http://www.dropbox.com and do the very quick installation. This sets up dropbox as a folder on your computer.

Add some or all of your folders. You have 2GB of free space and there are option to buy extra space if you need it.

Just create a folder, then invite one or more friends to share the folder. You can setup the SHARE option either on your computer – or from your online dropbox.

They will be able to view the files online in their browser or download them or copy to another folder on their computer, It works well for sharing photos as there is a slideshow view mode.

As you create new files – add them to your dropbox folder on your desktop.

You get 2GB of free space when you start your account and if you need more space there are monthly and yearly payment plans. Each time you invite and a person starts up a Dropbox account then you get an additional 1GB of space added to your account.

There are many cloud solutions available but I have found Dropbox to be easy to use and offers solutions that are useful tools in your internet strategies.

If you have some creative ways that you use Dropbox to make your computing life easier please add your comments.

Additional help:
Dropbox introductory video and setup https://www.dropbox.com

About the Author:

Denise Davies works with non-profits and small businesses to plan and implement internet and media strategies that are effective in growing your audience, increasing donations, building your network, creating a credible web presence and providing education and training to use Internet and media tools effectively.

Facebook Lists – Manage Your Facebook Friends

Why use lists

Lists on your Facebook Home Page

In Facebook you may have many different types of friends that share different interests with you.

Lists help you to easily view posts by friends that you select to put on a list.  You might want a list for your family, people you work with, specific interest groups etc.

Lists also help you to direct YOUR posts to friends who are really interested in the topic you are posting about – rather than posting to PUBLIC since not everyone is interested in all your topics.

How to create a list

Create a Facebook List
Create a Facebook List

On your HOME page of Facebook – on the left side is a section called “Lists” this usually includes “Family” and maybe others if you have already created lists.

Click on the “Lists” heading – and on the top right of the page you will see “Create list” – click on this.

 

In the “Members” area = type in a name or part of a name and a list of friends will come up that you can add. Just add a few using this method and you can add more later.

Click CREATE

You will now see that list and any POSTS from members of that list – it makes it an easy way to see posts by specific lists of your friends.

You can also add more people to this list at any time by ADDING the suggested names – on the right side of the page.

Adding people to a list

View the list

On the top right you will see different people suggested for the list – click on the ADD icon.  Click on the “See more” to get more suggestions

Manage Facebook List

Removing people from a list

Step 1 – click on See All

Click on the small X on the top right of the person image you want to remove – they will be removed from the list you are managing – but they will still be on your Friends list.

Remove from list

Another way to remove someone from the list

While viewing the POSTS from your lists – you can click on the small icon to the top right of the posting and choose to REMOVE the person from this list.  They still will be a Facebook friend.

Remove via POST on list

Posting to a list and Sharing

Although there is no direct method to send a MESSAGE to the members of your list, when you create a POST (Update Status) on the top right you can select a list that will see the posting.   You may find this useful if a posting is specifically of interest ot targeted at a specific group.

You can also use this for SHARING posts with a specific list of friends.

Share with your list

About the Author:

Denise Davies works with non-profits and small businesses to plan and implement internet and media strategies that are effective in growing your audience, increasing donations, building your network, creating a credible web presence and providing education and training to use Internet and media tools effectively.

If I Have a Facebook Page Do I Need a Website?

 

The WEB of website + Social Media

No doubt there are many people using Facebook – as of October 2011 Facebook reported 800 million users with over 50% logging in daily.

With Facebook having a Business Page is an excellent idea – it gives a method to update fans and those who have “Liked” your page quick updates.  Also if your Facebook fans comment or share your postings – this gets multiplied out to their friends.

However a business does require one central location to have their basic product and service information.  This might be your product catalog for a business, menus for a restaurant, and services offered by a consultant.   These should be readily available to anyone who is searching on the Internet by using search optimized web pages.   In addition on a regular basis in Facebook you should have your POSTS link back to your website for more information.  This helps to build your website traffic and integrate your Facebook page activity with your website.

Pros and Cons

Comparison Facebook Business Page Website
Pros

Lots of people using it

Easy to make postings

Can link back to your website

Can setup individual pages – but people don’t often browse the additional tabs

Easy to setup

Can create a branded professional look

Can create organized and easy to use navigation

More control on layout and how the message is presented

Can integrate your FaceBook page

Cons

Need to build up your fan base

Information on your wall shows most recent posts – but people may not scroll down to see previous posts

No obvious hierarchy and way to organize your information

Need to post regularly

May require technical expertise to update your information (depends on type of website)

May have to pay for hosting and domain name

May take time to build the website

Need to check that pages are found on search engines

Conclusion

There are advantages to having a Facebook Business Page – but to really benefit from having a presence on the Internet a business should still have a well designed website.