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zephyr707's avatar
zephyr707
Helpful | Level 6
6 years ago

Best practices for using symlinks (symbolic links)

Hi there, I use dropbox on linux with symlinks, but am not sure which is the best/preferred way to use them. Is there a best practice for using this type of configuration? Currently I use symlink...
Create
Desktop
Linux
Sync
  • Daphne's avatar
    Daphne
    6 years ago
    Hey there zephyr707,
     
    I would strongly recommend sticking with the current configuration you currently have, which would be having the actual files in the Dropbox folder and having your symlinks in the home directory. In this case, it wouldn’t have any affect on the files syncing as the actual files are within the Dropbox folder.
     
    Issues occur with syncing when the files are located elsewhere and the symlink is within the Dropbox folder instead. This can cause performance issues and high CPU usage when trying to sync the files. In some cases, the desktop app may even just sync the symlink file itself and not the referenced file. This will mean the actual file won’t be synced to your Dropbox account so you wont be able to access the actual file via the web or other devices your account syncs to.
     
    Hope this helps, let me know if you have any other questions - Thanks!
Daphne's avatar
Daphne
Icon for Dropbox Staff rankDropbox Staff
Hey there zephyr707,
 
I would strongly recommend sticking with the current configuration you currently have, which would be having the actual files in the Dropbox folder and having your symlinks in the home directory. In this case, it wouldn’t have any affect on the files syncing as the actual files are within the Dropbox folder.
 
Issues occur with syncing when the files are located elsewhere and the symlink is within the Dropbox folder instead. This can cause performance issues and high CPU usage when trying to sync the files. In some cases, the desktop app may even just sync the symlink file itself and not the referenced file. This will mean the actual file won’t be synced to your Dropbox account so you wont be able to access the actual file via the web or other devices your account syncs to.
 
Hope this helps, let me know if you have any other questions - Thanks!
AnotherAnon's avatar
AnotherAnon
New member | Level 2
5 years ago

Reality check here.  a) I use a symlink to include my Desktop accross multiple devices.  b) I'm NOT moving my Desktop in the 'Dropbox' folder.  Th systems require it to be right where it belongs.

So I guess it's Good Bye after many years of what was a great service.

 

  • Fle1's avatar
    Fle1
    New member | Level 2
    5 years ago

    Agree with AnotherAnon,

    I also use symlinks to have all my devices Desktops available on the cloud. I cannot move my Desktops folders to dropbox folder.

    What a stupid change by part of Dropbox! If Dropbox do not remediate this soon i will also say goodbye to Dropbox....

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