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Forum Discussion
Ending support of public folder
Just heard from dropbox that support for the public folder is ending.
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As a result, we’ll soon be ending support for the Public folder. Dropbox Pro users will be able to use the Publ...
- LGM - the issue is that people are abusing it and causing issues for everybody by getting the Dropbox domains blacklisted which cause emails to fail and downloads to be blocked by firewalls etc.
In terms of changing the extension, sorry, no idea how you would do that!
This is a real shame. Normal public /u links were superior to the new /s links. I understand that the old style of sharing was vulnerable to filename guessing, but I accept that in exchange for the superior convenience, and being able to give people direct links instead of links to slow-loading dynamic pages with poorly zoomed images.
Unless some option to use this is retained, I'm afraid I'll be looking for a new cloud storage provider in March 2017.
Alternatives from Dropbox ; If it is to help I can indicate the following:
Amazon S3 (Cheap and Easy) https://aws.amazon.com/s3
You just need to click on the file and choose the function 'make a public'
Google Cloud https://cloud.google.com/storage
You just need to select the public link option and click on it to copy the link
Canceling my dropbox account yet this month I suggest a bulk cancellation!!!
I've never posted here before, but this was important enough for me to make an account on the forums just to post.
The main reason I've been using Dropbox for years is how easy it's been for me to share images on forums via the public folder. When I started running out of space, instead of using any of the other similar file hosting sites, I shelled out for Pro because of how happy I was with how things worked. I'm so disappointed.
I don't mind having to run some sort of extra bbcode generation thing for forums in the future, but breaking years and years of image posts (these aren't just dumb memes, mind you, but works in progress, tutorials and guide for artwork, stuff in a professional setting), to the images being moved is extremely inconvenient.
Dropbox, if I can't trust you to keep my old links working, how can I trust you to keep my future files safe and accessible? Surely that's not unreasonable to ask that my old image files would still work?
@Pablo
Unfortunately, both S3 and Google Cloud storage are not really designed to be used by people for personal reasons - I mean, you can, it's just not friendly or intuiative (e.g. no search function). Most people who use them automate them through their respective APIs, rather than using the primative web interface. I do use S3 to distribute installation files for software I develop to people, mostly because Dropbox is insistant on asking users to 'sign up' before downloading files. I wouldn't use it for anything personal though.
Other cloud storage services including OneDrive and Google Drive are still good contenders. I used DB for the slickness of the web interface (recently bogged down with upgrade notifications to already-paying clients), and for Linux support. I will find aways around it. I refuse to use a service which refuses to listen to its customers and makes decisions purely for the purposes of how it will will be viewed by investors.
I don't think this company will be around in 5 years.
Pablo f.6 wrote:Alternatives from Dropbox ; If it is to help I can indicate the following:
Google Cloud https://cloud.google.com/storage
You just need to select the public link option and click on it to copy the link
Canceling my dropbox account yet this month I suggest a bulk cancellation!!!
Up to two days ago my personal preferences was: Dropbox, OneDrive and then Goggle Drive (actually only via web because I hate their UI frontend!).
As soon as I'll test GD "public" link I guess my personal preferences will be reversed.
I'm really upset with this decision and do not tell us "is for your security". I'm not a dumb user and I know perfectly what I have inside my public folder: nothing more that files and pictures linked to 3rd party forum.
Some years ago I moved away from ImageShack for their terms changes, I have decided to go with DB because I said to myself "that's my private space, no one will close it". Shame on me...
The fact is: if you what to HAVE/KEEP control on your cloud files Do NOT EVER use what ever 3rd party company.
Anybody were using the "Copy" cloud provider too? Then you know what I mean...
So, thank you DB... "So long and thanks for all the fish" now I will really start on looking for something else.
I really wish you (Dropbox company) all the worst for the next Year and maybe someday you will realise that without users you'll do the same as the Barracuda's cloud service "Copy": close because costs will be higher than revenues.
Well, I am proud of my self... :innocent: I had so many bad words in my mind that I cannot believe I didn't use one!!
Giangi H.
Well done you. I am now looking at taking the next step: personal website with own domain name and file storage and sharing the way I want it, I set the rules.
IMHO going to a different cloud storage service risks exactly the same problem again at some point.
Having my own domain will mean if the host decides it doesn't like my business, I can take it elsewhere without it changing a single link.
Costs look similar to Dropbox's minimum paid for price.
This is indeed very Very sad news. This is a perfect example that you cant trust anyone. Even if its a paid service. I wont be surprised if someday they will just remove all my files because of some "updates" I will probably start looking for something else to replace this very unreliable service if they really do this move.
Actually after reading this news again I noticed that its only for public folder. So if I use shared links with another folders will they function as normal ?
Thanks for your feedback, Pablo f6! Much appreciated.
I haven't watched this entire video playlist yet -- but, FWIW, these videos may provide some helpful comparative information for those who are now considering alternatives to Dropbox, in light of the planned death of the Public Folder
> Dropbox vs Google Drive vs iCloud vs OneDrive vs Amazon Cloud Drive | 2016 Edition
Note:
> From what I can tell, Dropbox quit providing the Public Folder in new user accounts back in 2012.
> Since this video play list was created in January of 2016:
-- the Dropbox video does not address anything spefically related to the Public Folder and
-- it will obviously not be informed by today's Dropbox announcement to kill the Public Folder next year (09.01.17).
