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Forum Discussion
Syncing icons on the files in the Dropbox folder have changed
Hello The Finder Extension Icons indicating whether a file or folder is Online Only or Available Offline are showing up in my Finder, however, the statuses are incorrect. For instance a folder that ...
Yes, I get a different explanation from Dropbox reps every time I call in about this. Something fishy going on.
This new "confusing and pointless" icon system kneecapped the usability of Dropbox for teams. We are researching the best of other cloud services and planning on migrating elsewhere once we figure out which other company is the best. Really disappointed in Dropbox. We will also be asking for a refund for our business for the rest of the (pre-paid) year.
Latest help desk person wrote me: "We are aware of what our users have been saying about the new sync icons. Dropbox is always looking for ways to improve for our users. We always want to make things easier and simpler. We'll make sure your feedback is given to the engineering team who look after Dropbox on people's desktop and app. They are always looking for ways to improve the Dropbox experience."
They then marked my help request "solved."
Is this a positive development? "We are aware of what our users have been saying about the new sync icons" (which she said) should have been followed by "we are working around the clock to fix it" (which she didn't say), but maybe at least they are waking up?
Yeah, I got the same message and took it to mean the old system wasn't coming back. And, since selective sync has always been a little buggy, it seemed like it was time to look elsewhere. With my Dropbox subscription up for renewal soon, I needed to make a decision now.
So, after testing several options, I've purchased a sync.com subscription and have begun transferring files.
For the most part sync.com works almost exactly like Dropbox, although I can't tell you yet if syncs faster or slower, but it seems fast. Here are the differences I've found so far:
- Negative: You can only selectively sync at the folder level on sync.com, unlike Dropbox which lets you do so at the file level.
- Negative: Best practice for archiving files offline involves using the web interface and storing files in the "Vault" instead of just select syncing them and you don't see them in your regular directory. (It seems that you can just make the files online only, but they recommend against that. I'll probably test it at some point.)
- Same, but different: Instead of a cloud icon for folders that contain both online and off-line only files, you get a green sync check mark on the file. (So both now code mixed files as if they are either all on the cloud (dropbox) or all available (sync.com) Same effect -- you can't tell at a glance that a folder is mixed. But, for those of us managing a laptop with very limited file space, knowing there are some files available and taking up space somewhere in a folder is better than thinking there aren't any hidden in there.)
- Positive: The level of storage I was using is cheaper on sync.com
- Positive: Way better security
- Positive: Way better data privacy (sync.com is based in Canada and data is handled in accordance with stricter Canadian laws)
- Positive: If you have a question, they actually have a pop-up form to send to support. So at least there's an illusion that they care about their customers.
I will have to restructure a few folders to make this work smoothly, but I was going to have to do that with Dropbox since the icon change. And having the mixed folders show up as available works a lot better for me than seeing a cloud if even one folder is only in the cloud.
I just wanted to give you all a head-up on what I found out. I did test a couple of other options, including pCloud, but most automated too many things to fit my needs. I'll let you know if I discover some fatal flaw with sync.com and feel free to respond if you have a question. But otherwise I'm signing off here. Great folks on this forum and I wish you all well. And I hope Dropbox finally starts listening to you.
