If you want to share files with a friend using Dropbox, they’re
forced to sign up, download Dropbox, and sync your files to their
computer. Today, just hours ahead of Google’s speculated Drive app launch,
Dropbox announced new public sharing links that will let users share
read-only folders with anyone. Link recipients can view and stream files
from the shared folder, all without signing up for Dropbox or
installing the client.
Additionally, files you’re linking no longer need
to be in the Public folder within your Dropbox. You can use the new
public sharing links by right-clicking a file or folder and selecting
“Get Link” within the Dropbox menu, which makes your file/folder public,
but only using the link Dropbox generates and copies to your clipboard.
Links cannot be set to expire — you’ll have to make them private again
yourself using Dropbox’s website.
