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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2012-11-25 03:19 pm (UTC)Dropbox is a combination of two things -- a computer-to-computer sync tool (you designate a dropbox directory; anything dropped into it on one computer automagically appears on every other computer synced using that dropbox account), and cloud storage (in addition to syncing between your own computers, stuff is stored for you on DropBox's own servers, which are actually rented from Amazon's storage cloud).
Because it's rsync-based, when you edit a file, only the actual changes you made to it are uploaded across the net. So if you're editing a 1Gb movie file and add a couple of scenes totalling 50Mb of runtime, only the extra 50Mb gets sent across your cable modem. Dropbox premium accounts not only come with more space, but also come with a (paid) option for file versioning -- so that if you edit a file, Dropbox will retain earlier versions of it (in case you did something drastic and unpleasant by mistake). Yes, this is an occasional life-saver.
You can get a free 2Gb DropBox account, download the PC and iOS clients, and experiment. Let me throw you a referral via email and I get an extra 250Mb.
If you're worried about security, (a) Dropbox offers two-factor authentication, and (b) there's nothing stopping you using it to store encrypted files, or even an encrypted filesystem disk image (say, using TrueCrypt) -- although the latter won't be much use on an iPad.
I gather that when Scrivener for iOS shows up, it will use DropBox as its primary way of sharing projects with other computers.
I don't think much of Office2HD, although the recent addition of Word change tracking is good. The best looking iOS word processor is Apple's Pages (although it's not great at interoperating with anything except iCloud), and the most functional (aside from change tracking) is probably Documents to Go Premium edition.
Let me add: after years of rolling my own storage services and using rsync, I am a total dropbox convert. Two laptops, a desktop, an iPhone, and a couple of iPads/android gizmos all have access to my key working files wherever and whenever I need them. And if I get hacked off with Dropbox and decide to cancel my sub, I can simply de-authorize the computers .... and the most up-to-date recent copies of my files will still be sitting on them in local storage.