Saving copy of files on dropbox

Question

For backup reason, I want to save a copy of my files (documents or photos) on dropbox as distinct files than those stored locally on my computer. ie: I don't want that changes I do on files stored on my computer are applied to the copies stored on Dropbox. In other words I don't want that the two copies of the files are syncronized and I want the second copy to be stored on Dropbox only (for loca storage space optimization purposes).

Basically, I want to keep two distinct copies (one on computer, the other on dropbox only) of those files which are conceived to stay unchanged in the future.

Is it enough to set those files on dropbox as "on line only" or should I do something different?

My question should be rather simple, but I'm getting confused while reading some articles on dropbox functioning.

Many thanks for your help!

R.

Rikybrain · Answer

Many thanks Hanna!

It sounds good!

Will do.

R.

Hannah · Answer

Hey @Rikybrain, thanks for the clarification here.

I think that a way to accomplish what you want, is to add the files into a folder in your Dropbox folder and sync them to your account (as you've already done) and then use selective sync, to remove the folder from your Dropbox folder.

This will keep the files in Dropbox (you can access them online), but the folder won't be available locally.

I hope this helps!

Rikybrain · Answer

Thank you Walter for your swift reply!

Currently I'm referring to files I've copied into Dropbox (visible in Finder in the Dropbox folder). I chose to made those files available on-line only (in Finder I currently see the icon of a cloud near to both folders and each single file).

I'm not very familiar with Dropbox Backup feature, but it seems it's not what I need... I want to keep a copy of my files (100% photos) on Dropbox totally separated from those on my computer. I want to keep on Dropbox the original copy of my photos (more than 100,000) and avoid that any change (voluntary or by chance/error) made on those on my computer is reflected on the copy on Dropbox. From what I understood Dropbox backup keeps the files on the computer backup'd on Dropbox with the consequence that any change in the original file is backup'd on Dropbox. If the change is made by mistake or any malfunctioning after a while I can't retrive the original file from Dropbox anymore. Isn't it?

Backup of my computer is performed with Mac Time Machine.

I hope to have clarified what my actual need is.

Many thanks again.

Kindest regards.

Riccardo