A very cheap way to sync files and back them up.

[knight_toolworks]

syncing between my home computer and work has been a bit of a pain. MS has had several services but they seemed to keep getting worse. sometimes files would not get synced and I would end up working with a older file version. then getting a mac at home caused more problems. I found a free (up to 2 gigs free) service called dropbox. this service backs up but also syncs files between as many computers as you want. but also it lets you add files to a public folder you can share or give a link to a file or files. this is great to send pics or videos or files to a customer. you just right click on the file and you get a link you can email. my only small complaint is you have to put he files/directories in the dropbox folder.
it also works with iphone you can put your pics in it and they are synced with all the computers.
I ended up paying 4.99 a month as I used more then 2 gigs. one thing I am debating on is for another 3.99 a month instead of keeping changed and deleted versions files for a few week they keep them forever. this may be a great simple backup plan. if you use this link we both get more free space.
https://www.getdropbox.com/referrals/NTE5Mzk3NTM5
here is another great little free utility. this lets you change the save as links. so you can add your shopbot computer drive in the list and save files to it with little effort. it lets you add any dir to it and remove the useless ones. it even works in windows 7.
http://www.simplisoftware.com/Public/index.php?request=FreeApps
this file will split pdfs. so when I get a pdf with several pages I can't input them this lets me import a page at a time.
http://www.arduosoft.com/page/ArduoFileSplitter-Portable-freeware-file-splitter-and-merger-tool.aspx

[mmason]

I do the same thing with www.mesh.com (http://www.mesh.com)
You can edit on one computer and the go the the other and the changes are there right away.You can also share the folder on several computers.Works great.

[knight_toolworks]

I tried live mesh that's the last MS version I tried. but I found it did not always upload new files. it is not as fast and it is hard to tell what is really happening. dropbox shows a green check on files that are synced and red when it has not been synced. it is hard to tell with mesh.
this not syncing problem has been going on for the new two newest ms versions of a live sync app. their first beta was great besides going down once in awhile. but it has been awhile since it has been reliable.
all it takes is cutting the wrong file to make you not want it.

[mmason]

Hm I have had no problems and have been using it for months but will also look at dropbox.

Mike

[knight_toolworks]

I save files often. I used the ms service in it's different names for 2 years or so. but after I cut the wrong files a couple of times I found it was not syncing some files sometimes.
but what I really like with dropbox is the backup of changed files and that you can drop a file in the public box then right click and get a url to send someone. the versioning is worth it to me.

[dougo]

I'll help with your account Steve. Looks very interesting and I signed up under your account. Do your files upload very fast? I have DSL and I am uploading at 40kb/sec.

[knight_toolworks]

they seem to upload faster then other services I have used. but unless you doing a bunch of files it does not seem to matter much.