Dropbox is a program that syncs all your files between multiple PCs and backs them up online at the same time. If you drop a file in your dropbox folder (or any folders inside it) on one computer it automatically downloads to other computers that have it. It is automatic and once you install it you never have to think about it again, but I promise you that when you do think about it your first thought will be about how happy you are to have it.So let's go back to our example about a sub who needs to change a worksheet. You just pull out your laptop at the conference and go inside your dropbox folder and create another folder called simply, "Substitute Material." Hopefully as your laptop already has your work on it you have the worksheet you really wanted the sub to have on it. You drop it into your "Substitute Material" folder and then within seconds it'll be on your computer at school. One simple call to the sub and (s)he can open the file and print it out for your students. Simple.
Now in addition to this example, this program is quite useful on a day to day basis. Any work you do on your home computer will already be on your school computer if you save it in the folder, and vice versa. As this also backs it up online you'll never lose a file again, and can access them from any computer (even ones without Dropbox) by simply logging into the website.
To find out more about Dropbox go to www.dropbox.com. The program is completely free at 2gb of storage, which should be more than enough for as many document files as you like. If you are interested in uploading lots of videos and pictures, you can upgrade for $10 a month to 50gb, and $20 a month to 100gb of space. Either way this is an invaluable tool for transferring data and files.
Oh yes, did I mention that there are apps for Dropbox for your Android, Iphone, Ipod Touch, Ipad, or Blackberry? You can get at any of your files wherever you are. http://www.dropbox.com/anywhere
