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Sharing files should be easier
This is feedback on some awkward items on the dropbox page.
I've started to use dropbox to share large files with users that I email. The preferred method is to just include a link in the mail to the file on a public folder, or just to a file marked for shared use.
However, the method dropbox uses is confusing to say the least. After following the help file I can share the link, but the file still shows as "for you only" on the main page. The user I sent the link to was able to download the file, but it still showed as 'for you only'. And after the user had downloaded the file, the file was showing as modified by that user, even tho he did no such thing.
The share control of a file on the main page should be a simple drop down list with all the allowed uses in it: select one and that should show as the share option permitted by the owner. If a user who has downloaded the file must be shown, then just show it like that: downloaded by <username>.
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- Rich
Super User II
davidk03 wrote:
After following the help file I can share the link, but the file still shows as "for you only" on the main page.
That applies to shared folders; not files or folders shared with a link. With shared folders, you invite specific people to the join folder and a Dropbox account is required. Dropbox knows who has access to the folder and displays it for you. A shared link can be copied and sent to anyone without Dropbox knowing who you've sent it to, so it has no way to know who has access to a link.
The screen display does not say that, and the how to pdf doesn't either.
The files individually show with a share 'feature' and the drop-down arrow just has "for you only" as the only option in it. So, just how is a user expected to interpret this differently? OneDrive at least has a public folder and anyone with a link to a file or sub-folder in that space has immediate access. If you really cannot bring dropbox to emulate that, then at least make the individual files and folders listed able to be set for public access without all the hoo-haa that exists now and gives a false impression.
- Jay
Dropbox Community Moderator
Hi davidk03, we appreciate the feedback on how to improve the visibility of shared links on the home page.
There is a specific page which will help you find any shared links to files or folders on your account.
We take all comments into consideration when improving our services.
- Rich
davidk03 wrote:
OneDrive at least has a public folder ... If you really cannot bring dropbox to emulate that ...
Dropbox used to have a Public folder over a decade ago, but it was deprecated and eventually eliminated in favor of shared links, which allowed you to create a link to any file or folder in your account, and not just to those that are in the Public folder. Shared links made the Public folder redundant.
I understand that. It doesn't make the current arrangement any easier to use for file exchange, which is cumbersome at best and turn-off-able very easily. So, how about addressing my suggestion for a better drop-down list.
