[ableal]

> unlimited backups (older versions of files).

Versions are not backups. I wish I could find a simple web page that I read quite a few years ago. It very starkly explained why some things are commonly confused with, but just are not, backups. The consequences of those confusions are usually bad.

[Angostura]

So, to all intents and purposes versions appear to act as backups, but you read a Web site a few years ago that said they aren't so that's what you tell people?

[hrktb]

Not really. The concept of version works like backup for full fledge systems (SVN, git), but not what Dropbox exposes.

Dropbox keeps version of _existing_ files. You won't get back the files deleted and synched by mistake/misbehavior of some script. A backup would keep the files.

You'll also have different behaviors if you need to bring back a set of data (i.e. all your files as they were two days ago). You'll be in pain to do it file by file with Dropbox's version system.

[egeozcan]

A colleague of mine always says that you don't have a backup if a single nuke* can take everything away. So even with soft deletion, versioning in itself would not be a backup solution. OTOH, I'd bet Dropbox has distributed backups.

* An exaggeration for natural disasters, wars, lock-downs, fires and so on.

[price]

Dropbox keeps the history of deleted files just like modified files. Take a look on the web interface and hit the "Show deleted files" trashcan in the icons at the top.

Or for a different view, hit the "Events" link on the left navbar.

[rogerbinns]

> Dropbox keeps version of _existing_ files. You won't get back the files deleted and synched by mistake/misbehavior of some script

Err, that is exactly what they provide. You do have to use the web interface to see them, and it is trivial to restore directories and files. (A bit painful if you want to only restore some of the files in a directory.)

[hrktb]

Thanks for the correction.

Before posting I actually deleted a file and went to the web interface to check but couldn't find anything looking like that feature. I know they basically have a git like file management, but thought they just didn't expose past deleted files (clicking on the events timeline just moves to the folder the file belonged without any further information).

For anyone making the same mistake, the trashcan left to the search box in the action bar, it's not to delete stuff, like it does in the OSX Finder bar. It's to show past deleted files in the current folder (they then appear grayed out in the listing).

Fairly OT, but even knowing what the icon does, the is a thrill going to my spine when clicking this trash icon. But to be fair, the image is not wrong, it's just the habit of the OSX Finder.

[rogerbinns]

BTW they keep old/deleted versions of files for 30 days for all users, and indefinitely for business plans. It also doesn't count against the quota.

Description and video showing accessing old files is at https://www.dropbox.com/help/113/en

[Angostura]

Fair enough. Thank you for the explanation.