Since my switch to Ubuntu, my biggest hurdle has consistently been file sharing between Ubuntu 8.10 and XP, Vista, Windows 7 or other Ubuntu machines. I’ve found many different ways to share files between Ubuntu computers, whether it be SSH, scp or actually setting up a shared folder, but nothing that was idiot proof. And God knows I need something idiot proof to make it work correctly.
If you haven’t heard of Dropbox or used Dropbox, the time is now to get on board. This thing is amazing and since it works on all major platforms (including excellent support for Ubuntu) it is by far the most dead simple to setup and use. I’m going to show you how to set it up using Ubuntu 8.10.
Download and Install Dropbox
- Download Dropbox (direct link to Linux version here)
- Double click on the file that you just downloaded
- Click the Install Package button and follow the prompts until it’s done
Finishing the Installation and Setup
- Before you will see Dropbox, you MUST logout
- Log back in and you should now see the Dropbox icon is your system tray. Right click it and choose ‘Start Dropbox’
- Dropbox will finish installing itself. Once it’s done, a windows should popup asking you if you want to create a new account, or login to an existing one
- Follow the on screen prompts for whatever selection you chose
- You will then be presented with a tour. You can take the tour, or skip it
- Once the tour is over, click ‘Finish and Go To My Dropbox’
- You should now be presented with your Dropbox
You’re Done! …Unless
Technically you’re done. There are two other things I like to do, however, with my setup. Add the Dropbox Repositories to Ubuntu so it updates when I run Update Manager and create a shortcut on my desktop. Here’s how to do this.
Adding the Ubuntu Repository (optional)
If you want Ubuntu to update Dropbox automatically, here’s how to do it.
- Go here and look for the ‘Is there an Ubuntu repository’ area. Look for the version of Ubuntu you’re running and you’ll see two lines of code
- Go to ‘System’ –> ‘Administration’ –> ‘Software Sources’
- Go to the ‘Third Party Software’ tab and click the ‘Add’ button. Copy and paste the first line of code from above. Repeat this for the second line of code as well
- The two lines of code for Ubuntu 8.10 are
deb http://linux.getdropbox.com/ubuntu intrepid main
deb-src http://linux.getdropbox.com/ubuntu intrepid main
- When you’re done, click the close button. You will be prompted to ‘Reload’. Do this now
Creating a Shortcut
- Right click on your desktop and choose ‘Create Launcher’
- In the window that pops up, type what you see below
- The Location: field says ‘file:///home/USERNAME/Dropbox/
- You should now have an icon on your desktop for one click/drop access to your Dropbox…of course, the icon kind of sucks
Changing the Icon
- For this example, I’m using this icon. I forgot where I got it, but if I can find it again, I will link to it for attribution
- Right click your launcher and choose ‘Properties’
- Click the icon
- Find your icon
- Now you’re done!
Conclusion
That’s it. You now have the easiest way possible to share files between all your computers. No configuring firewalls or shared folders. Once it’s setup, you can now just drop files into your Dropbox and Dropbox will do the rest. I also didn’t mention that there is a web interface for this as well. Since all your files are synced to the cloud, you have access to them wherever you have internet access. Pretty nice huh?
Is there an easier way to share files cross platform? Leave me a comment with your best method!
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