Simplify with Dropbox

Where is your manuscript saved? On just one computer? Two computers? How about two computers, back up disks, SD cards and a smart phone full of quickly written ideas and short scripts while grocery shopping?

Ok well that last one is me.

I have my full manuscript, draft scripts, notes, research, photos, book covers, references, outlines, query stuff and a slew of other book paraphernalia, scattered between my home computer, my netbook, SD cards and my smartphone (only because I didn't have paper and pen handy, I was grocery shopping remember?).

This was all turning into MADNESS! How many times can one person email stuff back and forth before it gets completely jumbled and useless? Quite a lot in my experience. I mainly work on the manuscript on my netbook because I can pop it in my purse and take it everywhere with me (I'm not addicted or anything, I promise!). I use my home computer for more of the research and design stuff because, well, honestly my netbook's screen gives me a headache if I'm viewing anything other than a word processor.

Well the other day I was telling myself there just has to be a better way to stay organized...and then my hubby's irritated voice softly echoed in the back of my head. "Have you installed Dropbox yet?"  Umm...no.

I've been procrastinating and dragging my feet about installing it. Why? I don't know, guess I was having a major brain fart over the last couple of months. Well I installed it the other day and I LOVE it! Everything is so nicely organized and I can find all of my stuff now. I'm not even confused anymore on which draft is the current project on which machine either. Amazing stuff, I know. Well now hubby gets to say "I told you so".

So what exactly is Dropbox? It's a program that allows you to access your files on various machines. It creates a folder that you move your files into. After installing it on all of your computers, it will auto-magically sync whatever files are in that folder with the folder on the other machines. It's pretty cool and works wonderfully. The best part is that it's free, military grade secure, and an awesome way to have a backup of your manuscript online in case your computer pukes on you.

So my point, if you work across various platforms or whatever, Dropbox is awesome.