5 Reasons Why Your Ministry Should Use Dropbox
I’ll have to admit: I’m a recent convert to the power of Dropbox, but if you know anything about me you know that once I commit, I commit.
And, that means that it’s extremely effective at what I need it to do. In other words, it’s just a darn good application or service. Dropbox has proven it’s worth (so far), and for the uninitiated, Dropbox is essentially a data backup, storage, and sharing service that is web based.
It’s free (to start) and compatible with Windows, Mac, or Linux machines. You can install Dropbox on any machine (multiple machines) and access the same data anywhere. Just imagine being able to have a universal folder of files and data on any computer.
And although you can read the full feature list here, below are 5 reasons why I could imagine your ministry using it successfully:
1. Your Files, Anywhere, Anytime, Safe, Secure
Once you finish downloading the software you get a nice little folder in your computer. You just drag and drop any folder or file into it and voila, Dropbox will automatically put it up on a remote server which is now accessible anywhere.
No worries about backups or if your system is fried. Dropbox has got your files for your organization or team. Accidentally delete something? Dropbox will store that file for 30 days too.
2. Sharing is Caring
Dropbox lets you share. But, not only can you share files with your team and ministry, but you can share files with others that don’t use Dropbox.
Win.
All you have to do is invite them by email to share folders and files and that’s it. Or, put them in your “public” folder for easy viewing. We all know that you’ve got tons of communication needs and that you need to pass files (sometimes large) back and forth… well, Dropbox can help your team do that.
3. Ministry Everywhere
We all know that ministry doesn’t just happen in the office or in front of a computer; you’re going to go places, people to see, things to do. With Dropbox you can rest assured that you’ll have access to those critical files wherever you go.
You can even view the from your mobile phone, iPhone, iPod Touch, etc. The USB thumb drives are a thing of the past!
4. An Opportunity to Learn
This might not sound like a very compelling reason to start using Dropbox but I think it is: It’s an opportunity to use a high-impact, practical, and valuable online service.
Period.
As the “tech” guy, this might be a great way to introduce your team (and ministry) to the future of web computing. There will be an opportunity to learn about file sync, data transfer, managing content, and more. I’ve engaged with so many ministries who can’t seem to “break through” that wall of using online tools; Dropbox is something I’ll now introduce to them as a stepping stone to using other more powerful online applications.
Educational opportunities are everywhere, and if they produce high value (of course) then do it.
5. Cost
To start, it’s simply free. You can get more space if you invite others via your personal invite code (think strategically: create a team Dropbox so you can increase that collective box!) but when you cap out you can always purchase more, and it’s relatively cheap.
Introducing a zero dollar app to your team and ministry shouldn’t be too hard, right?
Go for it.
Buzz it!
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29 Responses to “5 Reasons Why Your Ministry Should Use Dropbox”
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Tweets that mention 5 Reasons Why Your Ministry Should Use Dropbox - ChurchCrunch -- Topsy.com
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by John Saddington, wally yocum. wally yocum said: RT @human3rror: 5 Reasons Why Your Ministry Should Use Dropbox – http://bit.ly/5NR4wP //I do! [...]
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by human3rror: 5 Reasons Why Your Ministry Should Use Dropbox – http://bit.ly/5NR4wP...
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Link Spots – Friday; January 1, 2010 | KevinPierpont.com
[...] shares 5 Reasons Why Your Ministry Should Use Dropbox — not only is Dropbox great for ministries but anyone with a computer needs it. It’s a [...]
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Tweets that mention 5 Reasons Why Your Ministry Should Use Dropbox - ChurchCrunch -- Topsy.com
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by erwin blom, Maarten den Braber. Maarten den Braber said: Cool: Church Crunch http://bit.ly/7QvhWN @fromvlee @isidorusweb @sergiofelter @boeleytsma [...]
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Dwight Schrute nods in approval. | Kirsten Lamb
[...] I jump right into my first article, I have to finish this Web site and establish a back-up system, my two main goals for this week. Dwight will surely lose his charm when I’m cursing [...]
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Video Tip: Multicampus File Syncing for Media | ChurchCreate
[...] the jump, check out this quick video tour on how (and why) we use Dropbox & LogMeIn as a 1-2 “multi-campus punch” to keep the long distance [...]
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An Area of Technology Where the Church Could Lead: Elimination | ChurchIT
[...] them. Instead, encourage the use of Drop Box (for more reasons as to why you should use drop box, click here). Users can access via the client, a web interface, or their iPhone. You can get 50gb of online [...]
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Are you saying terrabyte level or mb level for free aspect? Does syncing of changed files take unreasonable time or affect bandwidth? Secure connection for the transfer itself? Does sound cool for sharing >100mb files that can't go free via yousendit.
You get 2GB free. 50GB for $10/month. 100GB for $20/month. I've not used it for anything bigger than 30mb, but it seems relatively easy on your bandwidth. Also, it handles things over https.
ah, thanks for helping with those!
It's in \”gigs\”
This is indeed a great tool. Our primary usage of it (for the church) is to get media to the people handling the media computers for our services. Once crafted, we just save it to our dropbox folder and it syncs up to the cloud. Then when the media techs get to the church they just grab it from their dropbox folder. Personally, I use it for everything that I don't use google docs for.
cool!
Dropbox is freaking win. Nice promo. Great tool!
Dude we use it all the time, one of my favorite pieces of software I've gotten since I left the Windows scene. I guess they have a windows app for it now too, but the Mac app is incredible.
cross-platform FTW!
Best reason to use Dropbox at work: LAN sync http://www.dropbox.com/help/137. I have multiple computers on the same network. Before LAN sync, Dropbox would upload the files to Dropbox's server before making the changes to the other computers. Since I have a 50GB account, this could take a long time. Now with LAN sync, Dropbox skips uploading via the Internet and just syncs using my local network.
didn't even know about this…! sweet. love it.
Did you just use an affiliate link in a bit.ly url?
"You can get more space if you invite others via your personal invite code…"
just got invite a few weeks ago from @allanwhite (northwest homie)
Yes, I didn't know DropBox was even available for PC. Will check out. Thanks for the update.
-Marshall Jones Jr.
sure thing!
I just recently started using Dropbox and can't imagine going back to life without it. I have a sermon transcription business, and before Dropbox, it could get frustrating for churches that don't have their audio files posted online to send them to me because either the files were too large to email or the file-hosting services were too unreliable.
Also, whenever you send a file through email, you feel obligated to include a note…even if it's the exact same note you sent the week before. "Here's last Sunday's sermon. Please have the transcript to me by Thursday…" Now all they have to do is drag and drop the audio file into their folder, and they're done. A message pops up on my screen letting me know I have a new file, and we take care of it from there.
It's fast, easy, and convenient. I love it!
SWEEET! I'm glad it's working out!
Dude, Dropbox is so full of "win" its insane! I use it to save all of my design/devo work. It even handles symlinks so I can access/backup my HTDOCS directory from my home dev server with ease from my laptop!
Word.
John