Installing Dropbox on Ubuntu

 

Dropbox is another one of those cloud based backup utilities which you can install on your Ubuntu computer. Remember, you don’t want to save a file with your name, birthdate, SSN, address and vacation plans in a Dropbox folder since this information will all be on “the cloud” no matter how secure it may or may not be, you don’t want to make it easy for anyone to steal your identity or rob your home. Now that I’ve put that out there, here are the directions for installing Dropbox.

1. Since Dropbox is not available in native Ubuntu, we will start by going to the Dropbox website http://www.dropbox.com/. From here you can either watch the video explaining what Dropbox is, or you can Download the application.
   
2. Now when you do eventually click on the download button you be faced with several choices. For our Ubuntu machines you will want the Ubuntu 32-bit version. Click on that one and download it. Make sure you keep the file where you can find it (like your desktop) or even for faster results just Open with Ubuntu Software Center from Firefox.  If you saved the file on your Desktop, just go there and double click on it and it should open in Ubuntu Software Center.
3. Once you are looking at the following screen, click on the install button on the right and it will install automatically. The install button will then turn into a progress bar and when completed will read Reinstall. Your screen will look like this. Next close this window and reboot your computer.
   
4. After the reboot you should go to the main menu and under Internet click on Dropbox. This will start the setup for Dropbox.
   You will be prompted to accept an additional download. Just click on Ok.
   
5. We will assume for these instructions that you don’t already have a Dropbox account so just click on next to fill in the registration form.
   
6. You will then have the following options available.
   
7. Even though the free option says 2 GB Dropbox has upgraded this option to 5 GB which should be plenty for all students and most teachers. For setup options choose Typical. The next screen will welcome you to Dropbox and give you a tour if you want it.
   
8. When you have completed the tour or just click on next, Your new Dropbox folder will open. You will initially have 2 folders and a PDF file but anything you put in your Dropbox folder will immediately be synchronized with the Dropbox servers in the cloud. Please don’t forget to read my article on Cloud based backup since it also applies to Dropbox.
   
   
   

Backing up with Ubuntu One

First of all you should know that Ubuntu One is a cloud based (web) file synchronization utility. This means you will have one copy of your data on Ubuntu One and one copy on your laptop or desktop computer. If you lose/delete a file and you are unable to stop the synchronization process, your file will also lose/delete the file on Ubuntu One. Please read my post titled UbuntuOne - Cloud Based backup.

Here is how to get started with Ubuntu One.

1. From Ubuntu desktop click on the envelope icon on the top panel and click on Ubuntu One.
2. Now we will register for a new user by clicking on Join now. If you are already registered you can just click on I already have an account! and log in.
   
3. Now fill in the form and remember to translate the captcha words. Click Forward when you are done.
   
4. You are finished creating your account.
   
5. You will find an empty folder called Ubuntu One in your Home folder. Anything you put in there will be synchronized with the Ubuntu One server.  In addition, you can add any folder to Ubuntu One by right mouse clicking on the folder and selecting Sync this folder from the Ubuntu One menu. (see below)

You can find more information on Ubuntu One at https://one.ubuntu.com/help/

UbuntuOne - Cloud Based backup

When selecting an application to backup data there are several things to consider. I will touch on a few of them here.

• Should I used a local application or cloud based?
• What do I need to make it work?
• Will it cost me anything?
• How secure will my data and my backups be? 
• Will my data be readily accessible?
• How many versions of my files are there?

I'll answer these as they pertain to Ubuntu One

• Ubuntu One is a cloud based file synchronization tool.
• On Ubuntu, the application can be found by clicking on the envelope icon on your top panel 

• There is no cost to an individual user who is only using 5 gigabytes of space and this is more than most people will use
• Your data will remain on your laptop but will be synchronized with the Ubuntu One servers which use both SSL and secure certificates. The certificates ensure that you are communicating with an Ubuntu One server and SSL encrypts the data as it is being transmitted. This is the same method that is used by most banks so your data should be secure. However, you should only use any cloud based application with caution and never store any files with information which you should never share in public like your DOB and place of birth, home address, vacation plans, password clues, social security number, etc. 
• Since your data is still on your laptop it is always accessible there but you can also login to the website at https://one.ubuntu.com. The https lets you know that the site is secure and will require you to accept a certificate when you log in.  

Is Google Docs a backup utility?

Well, not exactly. Google Docs is a web application which you can use to create documents, spreadsheets and presentations which are compatible with Microsoft office.  A backup utility is an application which takes all of your files and copies them to another location other than your computer’s hard drive, usually with the option of having multiple copies in case you need to go back to a previous version.
Having said that, Google Docs allows you to upload any file or folder to the cloud (Google’s part of it) which is a different location than your local hard drive. This will only provide you with only one copy of your file or folder but at least it is one. You will find the instructions for doing this in Google help. Please Note: Although Drag-and-drop is included in the instructions, the browsers installed in Ubuntu are not currently compatible with this feature. You are advised to use the “File upload” method.
You say “…but Kupp, I have a lot of files I need to backup” Well, you are in luck. Google now allows you to upload multiple documents at once. Luckily there is a way to do this which is oddly enough described on the same instructions under “How to upload folders”.  (In Ubuntu you will need to either install a Java applet or the Chrome browser in order to do this.)
That’s all well and good, but what if you already have your documents on Google Docs? What do you do for a backup then?  Well, the procedure for downloading one or more documents is pretty easy and is documented here. All of these procedures will only provide one backup of your files at a time but I will tell you more about other methods in future posts.
I realize I haven’t been posting for awhile but I will pick up the pace a little now that we are full swing into a new year. Keep an eye on this space for more in the next few days.
If there is something your want to know about Whitfield’s technology please feel free to drop me a note at matt.kuppinger@whitfieldschool.org.