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All of this got me thinking about other synchronization uses. I might set up Dropbox such that the shared folder on a Windows 2003 server on my network is monitored by a copy of another tool I really like, GoodSync, a utility from Siber Systems that I last reviewed two years ago.

GoodSync allows you to set up synchronization "jobs" that can be run on-demand or scheduled. The sync process can uni- or bidirectionally synchronize directories and can use any combination of Windows shares, FTP, Secure FTP, WebDAV and WinMobile (via ActiveSync).

I could set up GoodSync to copy files one-way from various subfolders in the server's local Dropbox folder to a server archive folder. These various subfolders would be shared via separate Dropbox accounts on the machines of other people I work with who aren't very computer literate and who shall remain nameless. I'd set up their systems such that critical files (such as accounting data and address books) would be stored in their Dropbox folders, and GoodSync would ensure that copies were archived and always recoverable.

A free alternative to Goodsync might be to use Microsoft's Robocopy, which is part of the Windows 2003 Resource Kit Tool. If you want to try this utility (which is about as user friendly as a cornered rat), you might want to use the optional GUI, which slightly improves its usability.

Obviously there are many ways to, if you'll forgive me, skin this particular cat. What do you use?