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Every time I see a Dropbox update I hope it is: * Added ability to sync arbitrary directories And I'm let down. Every single time.

by meritt 14y ago

erikpukinskis 14y ago
This is why I'm disappointed that end user open source software is in such decline right now. These kinds of "long tail" user needs will never be met by the proprietary software world. Well, this particular one might, but for every need that gets implemented, 10 more obscure needs will spring up behind it. Dropbox is making fistfuls of money, and, like all proprietary software companies, they need to stay focused to maintain momentum. Although it might not feel like it to most people, I think we're in still in the dark ages of software. Not quite as dark as the Microsoft era, but dark nonetheless. We just don't have the tools, infrastructure, and culture necessary for open source to really be a viable space for the typical, scattered programmer to spend their time. I'm optimistic that will change, but I'm not sure how long it will take.
gergles 14y ago
https://www.dropbox.com/help/175/en https://www.dropbox.com/help/175/en and a symlink?
- meritt 14y ago
  Yeah, I understand ways to work around it.. it's more of why isn't it a feature? In SugarSync, Carbonite and Moxy I can quite literally do: right click -> Sync Folder (or some variation thereof) and it just works.
  - Dylan16807 14y ago
    Because where are you going to put it on the other computers? So far dropbox has decided it's not worth the complication. What you want is two clicks plus a confirmation popup and/or wizard. Moving a folder and making a shortcut is two drags and one extra click. It's not a big deal. and it just works.
- alter8 14y ago
  Symlinks are not synced automatically, only when restarting Dropbox, or pause/resume syncing.
jonknee 14y ago
It's a UI issue. Where would an arbitrary directory show up on other devices? How could you tell quickly which files on your device are being shared?
- meritt 14y ago
  SugarSync handles it just fine: http://d.pr/i/hluY http://d.pr/i/hluY
  - jonknee 14y ago
    That looks complicated. Dropbox targets itself at people who just want it to work without having to think about it.
murrayb 14y ago
Same here except the feature I am waiting for is a full featured Android client ie sync all files to the local Android device filesystem (with the option to only sync when connected to Wifi).

Every time I see a Dropbox update I hope it is: * Added ability to sync arbitrary directories And I'm let down. Every single time.

by meritt 14y ago

Every time I see a Dropbox update I hope it is: * Added ability to sync arbitrary directories And I'm let down. Every single time.

erikpukinskis 14y ago

This is why I'm disappointed that end user open source software is in such decline right now. These kinds of "long tail" user needs will never be met by the proprietary software world. Well, this particular one might, but for every need that gets implemented, 10 more obscure needs will spring up behind it. Dropbox is making fistfuls of money, and, like all proprietary software companies, they need to stay focused to maintain momentum. Although it might not feel like it to most people, I think we're in still in the dark ages of software. Not quite as dark as the Microsoft era, but dark nonetheless. We just don't have the tools, infrastructure, and culture necessary for open source to really be a viable space for the typical, scattered programmer to spend their time. I'm optimistic that will change, but I'm not sure how long it will take.

gergles 14y ago

https://www.dropbox.com/help/175/en https://www.dropbox.com/help/175/en and a symlink?

meritt 14y ago
Yeah, I understand ways to work around it.. it's more of why isn't it a feature? In SugarSync, Carbonite and Moxy I can quite literally do: right click -> Sync Folder (or some variation thereof) and it just works.
- Dylan16807 14y ago
  Because where are you going to put it on the other computers? So far dropbox has decided it's not worth the complication. What you want is two clicks plus a confirmation popup and/or wizard. Moving a folder and making a shortcut is two drags and one extra click. It's not a big deal. and it just works.
alter8 14y ago
Symlinks are not synced automatically, only when restarting Dropbox, or pause/resume syncing.

jonknee 14y ago

It's a UI issue. Where would an arbitrary directory show up on other devices? How could you tell quickly which files on your device are being shared?

meritt 14y ago
SugarSync handles it just fine: http://d.pr/i/hluY http://d.pr/i/hluY
- jonknee 14y ago
  That looks complicated. Dropbox targets itself at people who just want it to work without having to think about it.

murrayb 14y ago

Same here except the feature I am waiting for is a full featured Android client ie sync all files to the local Android device filesystem (with the option to only sync when connected to Wifi).