how to sync files and folders outside of dropbox

i use dropbox on all my macs [and on my xp boot camp partitions] its very slick and easy to use. its saved my hide on many occasions. the biggest downfall so to speak is that dropbox only syncs files that reside in it’s folder.

here is how to overcome that obstacle…

In Windows:

Use either the JUNCTION utility from Sysinternals, or the MKLINK command built in to Windows Vista and Server 2008, for example:

junction “C:Documents and SettingsUserMy DocumentsMy DropboxDesiredFolder” “C:PathToDesiredFolder”

mklink /D “C:UsersSteveDocumentsDropboxDesiredFolder” “C:PathToDesiredFolder”

Or, if you prefer a GUI, install Link Shell Extension.

In OSX & LINUX:
Use the ln command, for example:

ln -s /path/to/desired-folder ~/Dropbox/desired-folder

This works with files to:

ln -s /path/to/desired-file ~/Dropbox/desired-file

Another easy way to do this with Terminal is type the ln -s part, then from Finder drag the folder/file that you want into the Terminal window then drag the Dropbox folder. hit return.

Note that an Alias file or folder does not work.