Get in sync with Dropbox and Evernote

In a fast paced society and mobile technology at its peak, we would want important data and files handy in case we need them. In the past, we use a flash drive in transferring files and data between computers. Although we still use it, WiFi has been very common that we can sync files on the go using our mobile device -- be it an Android device, iOS device or laptop. Two great applications that I use for syncing between my devices are Dropbox and Evernote. Here's my share on how I use them.

Dropbox

Dropbox - Simplify your life*

Prior to Dropbox, I send files to other people thru email. But sending files thru email has it's limitations. We can only attach 25 MB worth of data in an email. I used to send mp3's to my uncle and I have to create multiple emails just to send some songs to him. I also send work related stuffs thru email back then.

But with the introduction of Dropbox, sending files to other people became less hassle. Dropbox is an application that let's you sync files thru the web, PC (Windows, Mac and Linux) and a mobile device (iOS device, Android and Blackberry). When you create an account in Dropbox, you get 2 GB of free storage. When you refer Dropbox to your friends, you get an additional 220 MB. The 2 GB free storage can be increased with these referrals up to 8 GB. Anything more than these have to be paid already.

Anything can be stored in Dropbox as long as you have enough capacity. Documents, photos and music files are just some of the items you can store in it. In my case, I save some work related documents, installers and photos. What's great with Dropbox is that it can be installed on any platform. So I have a Windows PC at work, a Macbook Pro at home and an iPod Touch for a mobile device. Basically, I can access all of my files in Dropbox anywhere I go as long as I have the device with me.

Another great thing I learned in Dropbox is that I can host a site there which I created using iWeb. For instructions on how you can do this, please refer to this article from TUAW. This was the site I have created in iWeb and hosted in Dropbox -- Ramblings.

Want some Dropbox of your own, click on the link here. For more things that you can do with the application, check out this article from Macworld.

Evernote

Evernote - Remember Everything**

I have installed this application a few months back but I just used it recently for syncing work notes in the office. When I started working, I place all my daily activities in a notepad -- a productivity application in Windows. I keep a monthly record of all my daily activities including how much I spent doing them. I use these records to log hours on a weekly basis. In the five years that I've been working, I have saved a number of this text files already. It's not that organized and it's difficult to find stuffs that I need.

To solve this, I started to use Microsoft Office One Note. Some of my leads in the office use this and the application indeed has great organization of notes. The notes can be grouped into tabs and arranged into sub pages per tab. After weeks of using One Note, I realized that I need to save these notes to the cloud in case my workstation crashes. My notes are really valuable and I'll be having a hard time when it gets lost. The version of One Note I'm using at work is 2007 and online syncing is supported only in Microsoft Office 2010. Upon searching some articles online, I found a solution that made me look back again to Evernote.

To my surprise, Evernote is capable of importing records created in One Note. I'm not sure with versions earlier than 2007 but the one I'm using in the office works great with it. Just like Dropbox, Evernote is available in any platform -- Windows, Mac, iOS devices, Android and Blackberry. After installing Evernote in the office and creating an account, I'm ready to go. It's easy to use actually. I just have to import Microsoft One Note and select the pages per tab that I need to sync, very simple. There is a limit storage though per month but records created in One Note are just small in size. Now, I don't have to worry losing my notes. I can retrieve them anywhere -- from my Windows PC at work, Macbook Pro at home and iPod Touch while on the go.

Please refer to this article for instructions on how you can import Microsoft One Note to Evernote.

I'm pretty sure that there are a lot of applications capable of doing this. It stood out for me because it makes me more productive, it's ease of use and the applications were developed in multiple platforms. The last reason I have there is a plus factor. I don't have to worry because anywhere I go, I know I can retrieve some of the stuffs I need instantly.

If you also like these applications, you can try out Dropbox here* and Evernote here **.