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I've been using Dropbox for years and was using it for everything until last year. I didn't even bother installing it after getting new computer. The problem w
by lubos 13y ago
I've been using Dropbox for years and was using it for everything until last year. I didn't even bother installing it after getting new computer.
The problem with Dropbox is that it's too general, too abstract. There are now specialized services that are made for hosting source code, hosting photos, hosting music, hosting scanned documents... and each service is doing it better in its niche than general-purpose tool like Dropbox.
So who needs Dropbox on its own?
I think Dropbox will need to re-invent itself and fast. One way would be to buy other startups that are targeting specific niches and would use Dropbox as persistent storage. This way Dropbox could be offering various apps for free and make money if users run out of their Dropbox space.
Think about it, rather than paying monthly for source code hosting, photo hosting, document hosting, email hosting or whatever service separately as we do it now. All these services could be free as Dropbox apps and once you hit 2 GB limit, you pay for storage you consume as a single monthly fee.
Is this what Dropbox has in mind? Are they raising capital to go on acquisition spree of struggling startups (think Everpix.com) that have great products but not enough traction?
I would love to see that...
- robszumski 13y agoIsn't this what their developer API platform is for? You store users data on dropbox, but create your own UX with your app. https://www.dropbox.com/developers https://www.dropbox.com/developers
- lubos 13y agoYeah but 3rd party apps will probably need to charge end-user for usage on top of what Dropbox is already charging for storage. If Dropbox would do these services themselves, they could make them free because they make money from storage. Not only that, Dropbox would effectively lock-in their users into Dropbox platform. Right now it is extremely easy to switch from Dropbox to competitor. Once you start depending on so-called Dropbox apps, you can't leave just as easily.
- zzleeper 13y agoWhat do you use or would suggest for hosting photos, music and scanned documents?
- sliverstorm 13y agoI stopped using it as well; for me, Skydrive is just a little better integrated with Windows, which is about all I use for personal data right now.
- Crito 13y agoI noticed a few weeks ago that I have stopped using it as well. I haven't installed it on my current primary system, I just forgot to and didn't really notice the loss. I can't say why exactly it is, but I do think that it may be some isolated evidence that Dropbox needs to be careful of customers simply losing interest in it over time. I thought that I needed it much more than I actually did.
- kingnight 13y agoFor me, it's killer for photo hosting. I point it at my Lightroom library and have access to all my photos over time and can create instant albums/links for people to view without the laborious task of 'publishing' somewhere in Lightroom. My only gripe is it doesn't display camera raw files at all (ok since I don't shoot too much raw anymore). I guess I would like my photo adjustments visible too, but I wouldn't expect that really. The rumors of a Lightroom cloud sync are interesting, and if true, would have my reconsidering my interest (though, adobe does not have great track record for reliable data storage).