How to Install Dropbox in Ubuntu [HOWTO]

One of my favorite applications is the proprietary cross-platform backup and syncing service, Dropbox.  One of the greatest things about it is its ability to be used on multiple platforms.  When I made the switch from Windows to Ubuntu, all of my important documents were automatically downloaded and synced to my new OS.  I also really enjoy the ease of use, online access to files, and the fact that I get 2 GBs free!

How to install Dropbox:

First of all, Dropbox is proprietary software and therefore cannot be included in the Ubuntu repository.  To get around this, Dropbox has created a small script called nautilus-dropbox that can be added to the repository and installed in Ubuntu.  The nautilus script is used to download and install the proprietary Dropbox daemon from the web.  The download options below download, install, and and then run the nautilus-dropbox script.

Option 1: Download and install the deb file from Dropbox’s website.

See the Install the Dropbox daemon section below for installation details.

Option 2: Add the repository and install nautilus-dropbox  from Terminal.

Run the following code in Terminal.

1.  Add the repository.

echo "deb http://linux.dropbox.com/ubuntu $(lsb_release -cs) main" | sudo tee "/etc/apt/sources.list.d/dropbox.list" > /dev/null

2.  Add the public key.

sudo apt-key adv --keyserver pgp.mit.edu --recv-keys 5044912E

3.  Update the repository.

sudo apt-get update

4.  Install nautilus-dropbox.

sudo apt-get -y --force-yes install nautilus-dropbox

Optional: nautilus-dropbox should automatically launch the Dropbox daemon.  If it does not, run the code below.

dropbox start -i

5.  Proceed to the Install the Dropbox daemon section below.

Option 3: Download my install_dropbox script and install nautilus-dropbox from Terminal.

1.  Download the script.

wget http://dl.dropbox.com/u/16428/scripts/install_dropbox.tar.gz

2.  Unpack the script.

tar xvzf install_dropbox.tar.gz

4.  Make the script executable.

chmod +x install_dropbox

5.  Run the script.

./install_dropbox

6.  Proceed to the Install the Dropbox daemon section below.

The script can also be downloaded here.

Install the Dropbox daemon

This section takes you through the steps of installing the Dropbox daemon.

1.  Click the Start Dropbox button.

Alternative: Dropbox daemon can also be started using the following code in Terminal.

dropbox start -i

2.  Check the Don’t show this again checkbox and click OK.

You should now see a download dialog window.

The next windows is the unpacking dialog window.

3.  If you already have a Dropbox account, select the I already have a Dropbox account option and click Forward and skip the next step.  If you don’t have a Dropbox account, leave the default option and click Forward and move onto the next step.

4.  Create your Dropbox account by filling in your personal details and click Forward.  Be sure to check the I agree with the Terms of Service checkbox!

5.  Log in to Dropbox using your new or existing username and password and click Forward.

Dropbox keeps track of which computers you are syncing with your account, so make sure to name your computer something that makes sense.

6.  Choose which account type you use.

I, personally, have used the 2 GB account for the past 3 years or so and have not had a problem with running out of space because I only sync important documents.

7.  You can choose to either take a tour of Dropbox if you’re a new user, or you can skip the tour by clicking the Skip tour and finish button.

8.  Choose to use the default Dropbox Folder Location or choose you’re own by checking the I want to choose where to put my Dropbox folder checkbox.

The option to choose where to put the Dropbox folder is a very convenient option, especially if I have to resync Dropbox to an existing Dropbox folder.  If you choose to resync Dropbox to an existing Dropbox folder, be sure to use the parent folder.

9.  Restart nautilus by clicking the Restart Nautilus button.

Alternative: you can also restart nautilus by running the following code in Terminal.

nautilus --quit

Congratulations.  You have now finished installing Dropbox for Ubuntu!  To use Dropbox, just create documents inside the Dropbox folder and the documents will automatically be uploaded to Dropbox’s server.  To share documents between computers and/or operating systems, install Dropbox on the computers and/or operating systems.

In future posts I’ll show you how to update Dropbox to the latest experimental builds using Dusten B.’s script and customize the notification icons.

[Update] Added How to Update Dropbox to the Latest Experimental Build Using dbupdate [HOWTO]

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