Dropbox/SpiderOak and you

[eyoungren]

OK, so I'm not a big fan of the NSA and Spideroak has been suggested over Dropbox. Did some research and one of the really big flags for me is that Condi Rice is on Dropbox's board. It also seems that Dropbox's privacy guidelines are a joke.

So…I tried a encrypted DMG file the other day. That didn't go over well because Dropbox wants to sync when it detects changes in the DMG. But if you have the DMG open it can't and so you end up redownloading the entire dang thing again which is obviously not what you want.

So, I went to SpiderOak. Now, it's my understanding that they no longer support PowerPC, but like most stuff in our little world we can use previous versions.

The latest version of SO on Intel Macs uses the SpiderOak Hive. It auto creates a folder in your Users folder called that and just like with Dropbox anything you drop in there syncs. It's all automatic.

But apparently it did not used to be. Here's where we get into syncing with the Intel Mac at work. You can still do this, I am doing it right now. But you need version 4.8.4 of SpiderOak for Leopard/PowerPC Macs.

It does not have this Hive function, but you can create a decent work around. I am ignoring this Hive folder on the work Intel Mac. I created a SpiderOak folder in my Users folder on the Intel Mac and my PowerPC Mac. I then created a sync profile setting that syncs both folders. You have to connect your devices first so that SpiderOak sees both folders. I didn't do that and it took me a while to work this out. Also, on 4.8.4 on the PowerPC Mac you need to have that folder as a saved backup first before you can create a sync profile.

You'll need to do this for each computer device you want synced. Although you should just be able to edit the sync profile to include the new folder on the new device.

SpiderOak also has an iOS app. It's unnecessary to sync that device (I don't think you can) as it can automatically see what's on all the other registered devices.

It's working for me and since SpiderOak, unlike Dropbox, knows nothing about your files I'm good. The only downside for me is that I have far less storage on SpiderOak then I do Dropbox and there is also no direct way like in Dropbox to open the synced folder.

My intent is to leave only generic stuff on Dropbox.

A word about Sugarsync and Box. Box is great! I have 50GB, but there's no way you can get it to work with a PowerPC Mac. Consequently, I have to use a browser for it.

Sugarsync is also great and there is still a PowerPC version of their app that works, but their problem is that you cannot upload any file of 300mb or more.

So, there you go. If anyone wants version 4.8.4 of SpiderOak, let me know. I found it and am using it.

EDIT: After looking through the settings on the Intel Mac version it appears you can disable the SpiderOak Hive sync. I've done that, which leaves me with the sync I set up on the PowerPC Mac.

 

[vlark]

If you download the latest version of the Spideroak software, 5.1.7, and open the .dmg, you'll find that the app itself is a Universal Binary!

I'm on an Intel Mac at work right now, so I have no way of testing this and seeing if it will actually work under 10.5.8.

Supposedly they discontinued support for PowerPC in January 2013, but kept the code in. It should work, but they won't provide any technical support.

 

[eyoungren]

It doesn't. I've tried 5.1.7, 5.1.2 and 5.0.3.

It will run, but you get a popup that asks if you want to load the Error Console or Terminate. If you load the Error Console it terminated and loads the error log in Console.

Based on cursory research there seems to be some dependency on Java that isn't supported on the PowerPC Macs.

If someone knows how to get the latest version running on a PowerPC Mac I'd love to hear it!

 

[sarthak]

If you have a spare Intel Mac you can always set up a client there and share it using AFP.

Setup:
- Intel Mac running Dropbox (18GB), OneDrive (1,265GB) and Copy (127GB).
- Hard Disk containing sync folders for each of the online services.
- Connect using AFP to the drive and interact with the files just as if they were on your local mac.
- Add disk to loginitems so it connects automatically on boot.

Space:
The reason I set it up this way is because of the lack of space to sync entire services down to each of my macs. If I'm at home, I can access the data from any of my Macs through a central AFP storage point.

Drawback:
- Access on the go is limited.
- Use Fluid to create Copy/Dropbox/OneDrive web applications and access files using a browser remotely.
- I wonder if anyone on here knows how to set up remote File Sharing (AFP) access?

 

[vlark]

It doesn't. I've tried 5.1.7, 5.1.2 and 5.0.3.

It will run, but you get a popup that asks if you want to load the Error Console or Terminate. If you load the Error Console it terminated and loads the error log in Console.

Based on cursory research there seems to be some dependency on Java that isn't supported on the PowerPC Macs.

If someone knows how to get the latest version running on a PowerPC Mac I'd love to hear it!

Thanks for the explanation, Erik. I won't waste time playing around with it then.

Maybe you could post a link to download the 4.8.4 version?

 

[eyoungren]

I have AFP access set on my home router. However, the Mac it directs to (My Quicksilver) is down right now.

SpiderOak/Dropbox is going to work for me (just keeping generic files in Dropbox now). Everything syncs up using the latest with Dropbox on both Intel and PowerPC Mac, but two different versions on SpiderOak.

I hesitate to open ports on our work router for the Intel Mac. One, I don't own this Mac and two while I know I could do it, it leaves a vulnerability I don't want to have to explain to my boss if something goes bad.

FTP at work is different because we use that for customers and it goes to our server.

But your solution is certainly one I've thought of and in different circumstances (i.e., I had an Intel Mac at home) I would implement.

 

[eyoungren]

Thanks for the explanation, Erik. I won't waste time playing around with it then.

Maybe you could post a link to download the 4.8.4 version?

Here you go!

Keep in mind the following, which I just learned today. Unlike Dropbox, SpiderOak is also backup oriented. With version 4.8.4 you HAVE to designate something to backup before you can create a sync profile.

I chose to specify the sync folder I wanted as the backup folder on the PowerPC Mac. However, any other device that you add if you chose to also backup that device it counts against your total!

For instance, if I backup 1GB on the Intel Mac and 1GB on the PowerPC Mac SpiderOak says I have 2GBs backed up. 2GB is all they offer you free.

So, what I did was just chose the PowerPC Mac as the master, set the sync folder to also be the backup folder and on the Intel Mac just set it to backup nothing. That way the full 2GB I get is on the PowerPC Mac.

Does that make sense?

EDIT: Also, give it time! It's preferred order of operation is backup first, sync second. Lastly, your files are being encrypted as they are being sent up so that takes time too. This is why I came over to SpiderOak as my files sitting on their servers are encrypted. They don't have any way to access my account or it's files. Unlike Dropbox.

 

[vlark]

Box is great! I have 50GB, but there's no way you can get it to work with a PowerPC Mac. Consequently, I have to use a browser for it.

You can mount it as a WebDAV drive. See here:

https://support.box.com/hc/en-us/articles/200519748-Does-Box-support-WebDAV-

https://support.box.com/hc/communities/public/questions/200261028-Does-Box-support-FTP-or-WebDAV-

https://support.box.com/hc/communit...topped-accepting-WebDAV-connections-recently-


You can use Cyberduck 4.3.1 on Leopard to access Box.com using WebDAV:

https://update.cyberduck.io/Cyberduck-4.3.1.zip

 

[eyoungren]

You can mount it as a WebDAV drive. See here:

https://support.box.com/hc/en-us/articles/200519748-Does-Box-support-WebDAV-

https://support.box.com/hc/communities/public/questions/200261028-Does-Box-support-FTP-or-WebDAV-

https://support.box.com/hc/communit...topped-accepting-WebDAV-connections-recently-


You can use Cyberduck 4.3.1 on Leopard to access Box.com using WebDAV:

https://update.cyberduck.io/Cyberduck-4.3.1.zip

Cool, thanks! Once I get this all synced up I will take a look at that.

BTW, SpiderOak can use a proxy. Fire up Vidalia, give SpiderOak the proxy port and your files go out encrypted directly through the Tor network to SpiderOak's servers!

 

[sarthak]

Another solution is to try StorageMadeEasy. I did a free trial a few months ago and they had a PowerPC (the one I can no longer find) as well as a Linux client.

Not sure if they changed their system but it's worth looking at. Lets you sync multiple online services.

 

[eyoungren]

Some good options here…thanks!

The fly in my ointment, which I have just discovered. 4.8.4 does not have the Hive Sync. To sync you must designate a backup folder on the other device(s). But if you do that then that other folder counts against your storage.

Sigh!

 

[vlark]

There's also Cloud:

http://www.getcloudapp.com/

You can find a PowerPC version of their app (no longer supported) here:

http://macpowerpc.com/tag/cloudapp/

Be forewarned that Cloud.app has weird limitations on free accounts.

And, of course, there is also Google Drive. You have to use a browser to acces it, but it's there as an option, as is Amazon's Cloud Drive.

 

[2984839]

My favorite cloud storage/backup solution is Tarsnap.

Everything is encrypted and all encryption is done locally using locally generated/stored keys. You only pay for the data you actually use, so it can be pretty cheap. They only distribute it as source to ensure greater trust, so you'll have to do some compiling, but it's not a very large program.

I know it's works on OS X, but I'm not sure which versions. I don't see why it couldn't be compiled for the PPC though.

 

[eyoungren]

Well suck! That little experiment failed miserably today.

So…I wiped the account at SpiderOak as well. Sigh.

The ease of use for Dropbox though is tough to combat, so I settled on a compromise after doing lots of searching today. I have used MacFUSE (which I install on all my Macs) combined with ENCFS to create what is a encrypted disk locally on my Mac that syncs with a folder on Dropbox. Everything on this disk I can see as normal, but in the corresponding folder on Dropbox it's encrypted. Anything PUBLIC or Camera Uploads I'll continue to leave on Dropbox in the clear.

Same concept of dropping stuff into a folder, it just goes into this local encrypted disk instead. I have no illusions that if someone REALLY wanted to read my documents they could find out lots and lots of stuff about the properties of magical herbs in the fantasy RPG I play called Rolemaster, if they really wanted to, but hey that's what they get. I'm not storing sensitive stuff there, I just object to people being able to look at my files as they please.

Anyway, here are the instructions I followed.

 

[vlark]

Well suck! That little experiment failed miserably today.

So…I wiped the account at SpiderOak as well. Sigh.

The ease of use for Dropbox though is tough to combat, so I settled on a compromise after doing lots of searching today. I have used MacFUSE (which I install on all my Macs) combined with ENCFS to create what is a encrypted disk locally on my Mac that syncs with a folder on Dropbox. Everything on this disk I can see as normal, but in the corresponding folder on Dropbox it's encrypted. Anything PUBLIC or Camera Uploads I'll continue to leave on Dropbox in the clear.

Same concept of dropping stuff into a folder, it just goes into this local encrypted disk instead. I have no illusions that if someone REALLY wanted to read my documents they could find out lots and lots of stuff about the properties of magical herbs in the fantasy RPG I play called Rolemaster, if they really wanted to, but hey that's what they get. I'm not storing sensitive stuff there, I just object to people being able to look at my files as they please.

Anyway, here are the instructions I followed.

I have the same qualms as you do about Dropbox. the NSA, and Rice, but it's really one of the few free options available to PowerPC users. I've got 8.5 gigs of space on Dropbox (2 free from sign-up + extra from referrals and other giveaways). And it's the only service that still supports PPC Tiger in its client (although I wonder how long that will last).

I still sneakernet a lot of stuff on USB flash drives between home and the office, though, as I can't use the cloud for confidential files (I teach at a community college, and student assignments, grades, and records are considered confidential, so they go on an encrypted flash drive + backups).

That said, for all the hoopla about Dropbox and privacy concerns, the service works and works well. I've never had a problem with it. I still use Notational Velocity 2.0b5 and I use Dropbox to sync a folder with 1,000+ text notes between three Macs and it works flawlessly. I also use it to store a lot of my RPG stuff (I know you play D&D, Erik!) that I post from my gaming blog (check the free downloads section):

http://rendedpress.blogspot.com

So, I'm locked into Dropbox until a better option presents itself, which most likely isn't going to happen on the PPC front.

Will you let us know if you can WebDAV into Box.com? I might have to sign-up for an account if it's possible. I will say, though, that I hate the Box.com web interface for downloading shared files.

 

[eyoungren]

I have the same qualms as you do about Dropbox. the NSA, and Rice, but it's really one of the few free options available to PowerPC users. I've got 8.5 gigs of space on Dropbox (2 free from sign-up + extra from referrals and other giveaways). And it's the only service that still supports PPC Tiger in its client (although I wonder how long that will last).

I still sneakernet a lot of stuff on USB flash drives between home and the office, though, as I can't use the cloud for confidential files (I teach at a community college, and student assignments, grades, and records are considered confidential, so they go on an encrypted flash drive + backups).

That said, for all the hoopla about Dropbox and privacy concerns, the service works and works well. I've never had a problem with it. I still use Notational Velocity 2.0b5 and I use Dropbox to sync a folder with 1,000+ text notes between three Macs and it works flawlessly. I also use it to store a lot of my RPG stuff (I know you play D&D, Erik!) that I post from my gaming blog (check the free downloads section):

http://rendedpress.blogspot.com

So, I'm locked into Dropbox until a better option presents itself, which most likely isn't going to happen on the PPC front.

Will you let us know if you can WebDAV into Box.com? I might have to sign-up for an account if it's possible. I will say, though, that I hate the Box.com web interface for downloading shared files.

I've got about 50GB with Box and my first 10 was a promotional deal. So, yeah, I can WebDav in. I can also use the Finder to FTP in as well as Cyberduck. I checked out those links yesterday wondering if maybe something had changed, but no, there are the same issues.

If you're uploading a lot of stuff it just errors. And the website is a one at a time type deal. Unless you have BoxSync, which I do here on the Intel Mac, it's really a hassle. I'm using it mainly to store downloads and backups from my iPhone.

That's cool that you're an instructor! My mom did 40+ years as a Junior High teacher (starting in Physical Ed and then moving out to a lot of other subjects). My sister followed her and has been in the Seattle and Anchorage school systems as a Special Ed teacher.

So, when you say grades and stuff is confidential information, I totally understand, having been raised in the teaching environment.

Anyway, I'm going to PM you about RPGs. I will take a look at your link shortly.

For now, just going to put this out there…

https://forums.rm2e.net

 

[ticotoo]

Spideroak doesn't work for me(10.10.2)

I haven't gotten any response from the SpiderOak Forms, so it looks like I'll be looking else where for a secure solution.

I just tried Spider Oak for the first time last night. I thought it could be a good solution for offsite backups & syncs for my home devices. However I could not get even a simple upload to work. Shows a queue size & status 0% or size & “queued”. I have tried a restart of both the program & my machine & still nothing. Maybe I’m doing something simple & stupid wrong, but this is suppost to be simple & just work. Reading the problems people are having & getting no response from tech support does not inspire confidence in this company. I would be crazy to trust my data to this company. The whole point is trusted, secure & reliable backups/syncs, done in the background with miminual user monitoring. I’m looking elsewhere to spend my money.

 

[poiihy]

So…I tried a encrypted DMG file the other day. That didn't go over well because Dropbox wants to sync when it detects changes in the DMG. But if you have the DMG open it can't and so you end up redownloading the entire dang thing again which is obviously not what you want.

In this case you should use sparsebundle, not read/write disk image. Sparse Bundle splits the data into many small 8MB files, called bands. This is useful with backup or sync software. If you have one big file, the software would detect the entire file has changed and will backup or sync it again. With sparsebundle, only the little files with the data will be edited and the software will only backup or sync the edited bands again.

You need Leopard for SparseBundle.


Also, Sparse and Sparse bundle are dynamic, so it only uses as much data as put in, whereas the conventional DMG fills up the whole capacity of the disk image. The only difference between Sparse and SparseBundle is the splitting into many small bands.



Uh oh I just noticed this was bumped... :/ Oh well
You probably already know all this