Dropbox Tutorial (for sharing photos)

I think I can speak for a number of us when I say that our day to day life 

is an interesting adventure from the kitchen to the computer.

One day I'm fine tuning the basics of making Perishky or pinching Zwieback

and the next I'm trying to figure out how to upload a video  to share

or how to send a whack of photos to someone.

One moment we may be planning a menu on a group email

and the next moment the plan is put in place on a shared google document.

Like I said in my last post . . . installing a new gadget on my computer can be 

time consuming when I do not understand the way the steps are explained online. 

It's very much like learning another language and, unless I have need of it, I will not learn it. 

Dropbox has been one of those things I had to learn recently and,

  although the process, first time around, took me a few hours, 

in the end . . . once I knew what to look for and when to right click

 it only took a few minutes.

So, no more flash drives and trying to figure out how to get that to the right person.

First off, you need to install Dropbox by following the prompts.  This is a free service. Once that is done you will find the Dropbox icon on your taskbar for quick access.  Here you see it on the left sidebar in my Pictures.

The idea is that you can send a file via drop box by sharing the link with whomever you wish. Only the ones you share the link with will be able to access it.

So, first you need to create the folder. I like to choose my photos from my Picasa and then export them to a folder in my Pictures. You can also go straight to Pictures and open a new folder,  copying and pasting the photos you want to share into that folder.

Once you have chosen the photos in Picasa and clicked Export, you will get this pop up. You can rename the folder or just leave it and then click on Export.

It will take you to your Pictures where your exported/new folder will be highlit. Right click on this folder and you will get a pop up with a number of options. Click on Move to Dropbox.

Okay... now check the taskbar at the bottom of your screen and you will see Dropbox  . . .Click on it.

It will take you back to the Dropbox library/folder. Look for your new folder, right click on it and open it. You will see the photos uploading. Once they have uploaded they will have a checkmark on them.

When they are all uploaded go back (to Dropbox) and right click on the folder name. Then click to Share Dropbox link.

Now you have to look quick or you miss it . . . a bubble will show up (highlit) above the bottom bar for just a second . . . Click on the bubble. If you missed it or wish to send it later, go to the dropbox icon on the taskbar (dropbox.com), click on your file and right click option to share link.

You will see the link with the photos. 

Click the Share button on the top right.

The pop up will give you the link. You do not need to worry about that. Just put in the email of the person you wish to share with and send. That's it. At least that is how I got it . . . possibly coming in the back door.

PS I did only a few photos for the example, but the idea here is that you can easily share way more photos than you'd send in an email. Great for sharing with family and friends who live out of town. To save free space, you can delete the link after the time you choose. To learn more about dropbox in general, check out this video with Anson Alexander, but don't forget to let me know if this was helpful.