It takes a really good tool for me to change from my regular routine.  This tool however has altered several weekly processes for me in the creation of each week's materials at our church.

If you're like me you often create media (print, video, or otherwise) on a laptop and then need to transfer those files to a presentation computer or print them off when you're not in a cafe.  Dropbox is a FREE online tool that makes this deadly simple.

• Dropbox acts like a portable, always accessible online-USB stick with 2 GB of FREE storage.
• Videos for bumpers or message illustrations are easy to save to the online dropbox via web control panel or a special app that keeps them automatically updated.
• Bulletins and connect cards which are updated weekly can be stored in one central location so that I can print and share for others to update from anywhere.
• Public file sharing means large files that won't fit in an email can be shared with multiple staff and volunteers.
• Keynote/PowerPoint presentations with message notes can be stored and then loaded as if they were on my laptop where I created them.

There are tons more applications which I am exploring, but basically Dropbox has eliminated my need for portable storage by creating a secure and fast online web tool alternative.  A new feature I found out about is the ability to access files for free via an iphone.

This is one tool that can definitely reduce workload on files you share with a team of volunteers and in managing multiple locations of creation.  Check it out online at http://www.dropbox.com