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I think you're attributing too much of Dropbox's success to simple technical reliability. It really isn't that difficult a problem, and many services and projects do it right. I have an rsync script that has been syncing my files reliably to an offsite location for 6 years.

It's certain that Dropbox has a high quality syncing service, but there are other factors. Think, for example, how this case was handled: a fault in their core product, a breach of user trust in their service, and they understood that it needed more than a technical solution. None of this was part of their core sync reliability: it was part of a more broad quality, which is closer to their true reason for success.




I think you're attributing too much of Dropbox's success to simple technical reliability.

I did not say anything about their reasons for success. Only what the technical advantages are compared to some of the other file sync services.

It really isn't that difficult a problem,

Difficult enough that some of its useful features are not matched by other services yet.

I have an rsync script that has been syncing my files reliably to an offsite location for 6 years.

That's great. But that is one-way sync and not something my parents could use. Dropbox is successful because they made sync technology that is relatively flawless to the average user. Also, there is a network effect.

In the longer term, it will be interesting to see if they survive, since Microsoft and Google have been undercutting prices heavily, and as far as I know there is no online Office suite on the horizon (only Microsoft Office integration for business users).




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