Syncing icons on the files in the Dropbox folder have changed

Don't think so :^)

• have the state available offline
• are stored on your PC/Mac and on dropbox.com
• are fully synced
• cannot be moved automatically to online-only (of course you can manually make the folder online-only)

 

• at least 1 file/folder contained within the folder has the available state
• there are 0 files/folders contained within the folder that have the online-only state
• files/folders within the folder can have the available offline state
• files/folders within the folder are stored on PC/Mac and on dropbox.com
• files/folders within the folder are fully synced
• depending on state, files can be automatically moved to online-only if you are running out of hard drive space

 

• at least 1 file/folder contained within the folder has the online-only state
• files/folders within the folder can have the available offline or available state
• files/folders within the folder are fully synced
• depending on state, files can be automatically moved to online-only if required

I'm sorry, but how does this explanation resolve the issue? The problem isn't that we don't understand what the new icon system means, but that it doesn't make sense and it isn't useful. This doesn't address the most popular beef with this change - why would I want my folder icon to show online-only status if most of the files inside are available offline? I'm not saying that the way DB saves space on my computer is bad, but now it's hard to manage storage myself witch is very important to me.

yes, for the BILLIONTH time, none of us misunderstand what the ticks now mean. The contention is, and always was, that it is a BAD system.

In particular:

• the distinction between files which are AVAILABLE and AVAILABLE OFFLINE is so trivial that it doesn't warrant a different icon.

• we have lost the ability to determine which "online-only" folders contain local files, and which don't.

The previous system was just perfect, and this new system is nonsensical and confusing. And as a result, I am currently looking for a new cloud service for my business.

And we acknowledge that what the sync icons mean, and we're saying is that this was a completely unnecessary, useless, not completely though out change that does noting to improve the usability of the service, and in fact makes it more confusing and less intuitive. Sometimes the Product and Design teams get it wrong. Can they just take the L on this one and change it back?

Here's the latest reply from Dropbox:

Dear customer,

Are you an idiot? The new system could not be simpler.

A green icon means A, B, C, or D. And sometimes E.

A gray icon means F, G, or H. Except when it means I. (Please see attached schedule of icons for additional details.)

A white icon means J, K, L, or M. Basically, it's for folders that are a mixture of online and offline. Except sometimes white icons are arbitrarily attached to individual files. This means either that the file itself is a mixture of online and offline, or that it was synced using a different means than a file with a green icon. If you synced your file over Wifi, it will appear green; if you used LAN, then it will be white. (This may vary depending on your OS, so please see attached schedule.)

Like I said, the system is staggeringly simple, and you are a pathetic dolt for not understanding it. If you were smarter, you would like the new system.

To follow up with customer service, please navigate our nonexistent customer service page.

Sincerely,
Dropbox

Actually, it's even more complicated that this, because I have FOLDERS that consist entirely of local files but for some reason have a white icon.

CC: Product and Design team

One other thing... this may sound crazy, but if you want to convey a new state then maybe, I don't know, come up with a new icon? I know, I know, this is edgy and extreme, but it actually can be done. The universe will not implode if more than 3 folder sync icons exist simultaneously.

William F.5 Ummm, did you even look at the icon reference sheet? Everyone knows that means the folder synced on a Monday. Come on, be smarter.

I found a solution.  Leave Dropbox. I now have my Dropbox files way under 2G and will not be renewing my paid subscription when it comes due next month. All my other files are now happily residing in someone else's cloud where they always sync correctly and I know exactly what is available off-line and what is not. And my annual cost decreased by a few bucks.