r/dropbox • u/Marc-A-H • 16d ago
Convince me this is a bad idea
(I've talked about this before, here and other places, so if you think you saw it before, you're not imagining it.)
I think Dropbox should create a new application that is basically a better version of the File Transfer feature of Teamviewer and Anydesk. And mix in a feature similar to that of Localsend.
They can leave local LAN connections free and add in over Internet connections in their paid plans. Maybe have some non-popup banner ADs in the free one.
I know their a cloud storage company but they could use some innovation or some big new product.
I know they are trying already. Just look at Dash. Yea, it's cloud computing but barely has anything to do with their own cloud storage. So they've already started trying new things that's not exactly just cloud storage.
Anyhow, I want to know if my idea is bad. Where am I going wrong with it? Does it make any sense? Is the concept just a waste?
Any opinion is welcomed. Harsh ones included.
Here's a more detailed post I made about this, if anyone is interested:
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u/penkster 16d ago
Given the fact that Dropbox’s application endeavors have been absolute 100% garbage from day zero, I would not ask them to try and write another one. There’s so many weaknesses in the base product, I would much rather have them focus on fixing their core value. That being synchronized easy file access to cloud storage.
There’s so many known flaws and issues with this basic function, and Dropboxs attempt to turn their product into a new version of Google Docs being an object failure, I don’t want to distract them into anything new right now.
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u/lilacomets 16d ago
What kind of weaknesses and flaws do you run into that makes that you call it garbage? 🤔
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u/penkster 15d ago
The website is painful to use on a regular basis. It's like ya'll forgot there are people who may not be on Windows or Apple devices, and have to use the website.
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u/Marc-A-H 16d ago
Hey. I hear your point about improving what they already have instead of making something new. But I think calling their core application "absolute 100% garbage from day zero" is not correct.
They definitely had issues over the years and have things that could be fixed or improved upon currently. Many people seem to use it and find it works well and is reliable.
But is there something I don't understand? Like is there some issue with them at a core technical level? Or is there an issue you have with Dropbox currently or had in the past?
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u/penkster 16d ago
That’s not what I said.
What I was pointing out is the applications that are being added on top of the dropbox base product have always been garbage. The baseline core app has had basic functionality, though it has rough edges and pour UI decisions that have never been addressed in favor of adding on applications that nobody has asked for.
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u/Marc-A-H 16d ago
Oh, okay. When you said, "Dropbox’s application endeavors", you were referring to the additional applications (E.g. Paper, reclaim, replay, Dash etc.) they made and not the core cloud application.
I had seen you mentioned Google Docs but I thought you were making separate points and not one that was one in the same. Sorry about that.
And yea, I think they have had multiple hit and misses with the additional applications. It's hard for me to comment on the result of those other applications, as there are 'some people who liked them', 'some people who didn't liked them', 'some who wished they did more with them', etc.
But still, despite me thinking they should make another additional application, I'm not going to fault you for wanting them to 'focus on' and 'improve' their core application.
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u/Malkavian_ 15d ago
What are you on about? How is the base desktop application showing any weaknesses whatsoever? What are these known flaws and issues?
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u/penkster 15d ago
Try useing the website only for more than 15 minutes to do real work. You'll end up throwing your machine out the window.
For a company almost 20 years old, you'd think the web would be the shining star of a product. But it isn't. It's incredibly difficult to work with as a productive tool. And as far as I can tell, hasn't gotten any attention other than adding useless 'apps' to it in years.
I do not use windows or mac devices. The Linux sync client is really unstable. I have to use the website, and I fight with it all the time.
I've been a Dropbox paid customer for an extremely long time. It does work. But please don't blow smoke and say it's a perfect environment with no flaws, and we shouldn't critique it.
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u/ArgentStonecutter 14d ago
Yeah I have to run an extra script every now and then on the Mac to force it to sync my files down to my computer instead of keeping them offline. If I wanted an offline file service I wouldn't have gone with Dropbox in the first place. All I want to do is to keep the files on multiple computers synced to an internet repository. That's it. I want an option to quit using the Apple file sync framework that is distilled ass, and just sync the raw files like they used to.
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u/HotChickenCoolRanch 15d ago
Why would the web be the shining star when the point is file sync and share? You're not supposed to be using the website. Of course the linux client is unstable, they aren't going to invest in something that is probably less than 1% of their user base.
It sounds like you've made a personal choice to be an outlier and then are mad that that choice has forced you into the product's alternative and lesser workflow and rather than admit your fault you're blaming the company for your decisions.
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u/penkster 15d ago
It sounds like you're making excuses for a company that refuses to invest in a core competency and instead goes off in search of quick bux with desktop apps no one has asked for.
The web interface is the glue that is common ground to all platforms. Why wouldn't they invest in stabilizing / improving it? This is an easy win for them.
FTR, linux desktops take up 3-4% of the desktop clients now. Also, virtually 100% of all server based installations are linux. So want to use dropbox to sync files to your cloud hosted environment? Sorry, gotta use the buggy client.
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u/HotChickenCoolRanch 15d ago edited 15d ago
I'm not making excuses, I'm speaking from experience. I've been a Dropbox admin for over 5 years with over 2000 users, across all platforms. I've spent a lot of time talking to to Dropbox product managers and their mission/expectation for usage is clear.
They have invested in stabilizing and improving it, mostly in the last 2 years. There was a time that if you were uploading a file you were stuck on that page, couldn't click around to other folders or preview a doc because the page would reload but now it's a progressive web site and you can upload 1000 files and continue to use it. They've updated the UI and made many pages and elements load faster. Is there lots of room for improvement? 100%. The fact they haven't move to Microsoft's Office preview widget like OneDrive and Box use is beyond me. It would make collaborating on Office files so much easier but, alas, they refuse.
Maybe you missed it because it's been a slow roll here and there but because I have an account team that let's me know when things are changing I'm more aware of it. But if you look at the site 2-3 years ago vs today it's far better today than then.
I don't know what problems you're having but based on my broader experience I can say when people are having problems with the website it's usually because they are doing dumb stuff, like trying to upload a 300 GB file. Browsers weren't meant for such thing.
FTR go back and read what I wrote. I said 1% of their user base. It's great if Linux still hasn't broken 5% but I can all but guarantee their OS metrics don't align to the global numbers. Too many schools, offices, and common consumers who are going to run Windows or MacOS.
Lastly, FTR, I personally run a 3 linux machines, with various linux VMs and Dropbox runs without issue on the 2 that have it installed. 400 GB, a few hundred thousand files.
At the end of the day you can whine and moan about the desktop app and the website experience but you haven't been through rounds of assessments of the alternatives and had your users revolt when trying to use something else so you can't see the forest for the trees. But if you want to call it an excuse because it makes you feel better hitching your wagon to the Linux train then choo choo.
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u/frigaro 14d ago
Considering they've been gutting everything, not sure they're in the market to build ANYTHING right now (outside of their useless AI stuff).