What is Dropbox?

Dropbox is a free hosting service that offers a personal cloud storage service that backs up files and is used for groups of people who would like to share and collaborate on the same files together.

Shared Dropbox Folder

Once an On-line Critique Group is formed a Shared Dropbox Folder is set up. Each member will receive an email with a link asking them to join the Shared Dropbox Folder. Only members of that group have access.

Critique Group members take turns in posting their manuscript or illustrative work file into the Shared Dropbox Folder each week and remove the file after they receive feedback from all other members. The files in the shared folder will appear in all of the members’ Dropboxes.

All members of the Shared Dropbox Folder can add, delete, or edit files within that folder. Critiques are to be typed onto a copy of the original submitted manuscript/illustration using the ‘Track Changes’ tool in Word (for additional help see YouTube How to use MS Word's Track Changes). If members down load the manuscript/illustration onto their computer in order to write their critique, they must delete it when they have finished.

Critique groups members can access their shared Shared Dropbox Folder either through the Dropbox website or by downloading the Dropbox app on their computer.

Downloading the Dropbox Application

It is not necessary to download the Dropbox app as members can use Dropbox through the Dropbox website from the invitation email link. However, if members wish to do so, they can download and install the Dropbox app on their computer. The app will run in the background and automatically keep any of the files added to the Shared Dropbox Folder syncronised and backed up online. The desktop application even works when offline. The next time you logon, Dropbox will sync changes just where it left off. The Shared Dropbox Folder will be accessed directly through the dropbox app.

How to install Dropbox

If you wish to install Dropbox on your machine go to the Dropbox download page.

Installing the Dropbox app will create a Dropbox folder on your hard drive. The folder will have the Dropbox logo on it and it will be named Dropbox. Anything you add to the dropbox will automatically upload and be available on all your computers, phones and tablets.

For more information you can visit the Dropbox website.