OK, I've looked over the forum titles four times and I can't see one that discusses critiquing. Am I missing something?

I would like to propose a Dropbox system of critiquing. If anyone hasn't used or heard of Dropbox, it is free online storage that updates automatically when you close the program. You can also save to it while working on the file, but when you close the program it updates on your other computers and anyone else sharing access to the folder. I've created a Holy Worlds Critiques folder and can share access and invite anyone interested. just click here to get invited and I'll email you access to the folder.

While not perfect, there are many advantages to using Dropbox. One is that when you post your chapter directly into the forum, the formatting changes and you can't insert comments like in Word. Also, a small window pops up on your tool bar telling you when a file has been added or updated. That way you know someone has uploaded a new file ready to be critiqued. It also makes sure that everyone has the most recent version of the file.

What do you folks think? We could even use this as an announcement system so we are notified when announcements are made (instead of whenever we remember to check the announcement folder...something I know I'm guilty of neglecting.)

Sounds great! I joined it. I'm not the best with computers but hopefully I'll figure it out!

It's easy, just let me know if you have any questions. Also, if you didn't join on my link let me know your email and I'll send you an invite to the Holy Worlds folder.
(edit: I looked up your email and saw that it was through my link. I sent you an invite already)

You've talked about Dropbox before, so I'm game to give it a try and see how it functions.

I created an account, but I am confused - do I have to download it for it to work? I'm fine with uploading files to something on the web, but I'm not sure I want to download something right now.

Thanks Tim, yea that was me! I accepted it.

Phily,
You can upload online without downloading, it's just easier to save to the dropbox on your computer. I will send you an invite to our shared folder. I've had it downloaded for 6 months and haven't had a problem. I used it for my book and loved it.

Elly,
Great!

I thought this was why we had Google Docs... *slightly confused*

eruheran

Umm...I don't really see the point of that. It just makes it harder to be a HWer, if you put the announcements there. Holy Worlds works fine the way it is. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

I received the invite successfully. Thanks so much for explaining that, Tim!

While I think announcements need to continue to be posted here for everyone's benefit, I don't see a reason they can't be cross-posted on Dropbox if a few people want to subscribe there.

It would be best to retain all announcements in the announcements forum. People just need to read what they need to read.

Yes, this is exactly the same as the Google Docs folders (which I, personally, prefer). If you want to know more about those, read this thread. Just for those who don't trust Google or can't figure out how to use the docs (there are a few of those people for some reason), Dropbox is another option that they might be able to work with easier.

OK, I'm not trying to harm the forums by transferring announcements to Dropbox. I'm just saying that one could. Jay is right that ultimately we just need to be checking the announcements thread.

Also, I'm not trying to segment the members into two file sharing systems, so if this is a concern, then I will drop my dropbox pitch and just use google docs.

Is there a link to files within google docs? I don't think dropbox has one. The automatic uploads to dropbox seems the greatest advantage to that system. But I'll do the extra steps to keep uniformity in our file sharing.

Not sure exactly what you mean by that, actually. Could you explain a bit more?

Thank you.

I think Google has a link for each file that you can use to share with people, as long as you have the privacy setting to allow it. There is a setting that you can make it so 'only people who have the link' can view it, and then it gives you a link to give them. Answer your question?

Elanhil,
I have since found out how to share the link using google docs, which is a great feature. Thanks.

Sir Emeth,
When I write, I am saving to folders within Dropbox, which upload automatically to the online server once I close the program and connect to the internet. This isn't full proof storage, because something could happen before the program closes or before I connect to the internet (I write at work w/o the internet). But, for the purposes of using this for a critique system it offers at least two advantages.

The first is when I modify the original file, such as when Jay tells me the only conflict I have in my story comes from brushing against trees I frantically rewrite with one hand while hitting myself in the head with the other. With google docs I have to delete the file and upload another version. Dropbox does this automatically. Sure this only takes a minute, but do I want to do this every time I make a change?

Second would be other people uploading docs. On Google docs I have to remember to go there, choose the file and download to another file on my computer (so I can read them at work where I have no internet). On Dropbox I just open the file and read (having forgotten to check google docs at home last night wouldn't prevent me from having access to new files at work because they would have uploaded to my computer automatically w/dropbox). Then comments I make are also automatically uploaded to their computer, instead of...what would I do for Google docs, upload my version of the document with comments? I do most of my reading and writing at work, so I'm not going to be reading online where I can comment as I go into the google docs version.

I'm seeing that most of my problems are related to me doing my reading and writing w/o internet, which could be resolved if I would act like normal people and do my work at home, but when I'm home I do other things I can't do at work. This is also part of my problem being more active reading the forums, unfortunately.

Like I said before, I'm not trying to cause trouble. I'll go along with what Sir Emeth says we do for critique procedures, I just probably won't be as effective as I would with Dropbox. Seeing as my goal is to make us as writers and Holy Worlds more effective and efficient, I felt the need to make my case. That's all this is.

I'd appreciate it if someone would show me where on this forum we are supposed to post a request for critiques. It seems to me they are just uploaded to the revision folder, but how are new people supposed to know that? (Or old people for that matter *pointing at self* )

Tim, you're not even 30...

I'm going to download Dropbox sometime in the near future and use it as a back-up system for some of my writing. I asked my dad about additional ways to back up my writing and that's what he instantly suggested, so I'll get set up with that soon. If I need help I'm coming to you, Tim! I think it's worth experimenting with as a means of sharing files for critique, on and off Holy Worlds. (I, too, write offline.)

That is interestingly complex... haha. The rest of us just edit in place on google docs, which is easier than any of your options. Haha. I haven't been able to get dropbox to work on Linux yet, so for me it is less practical than anything else, except for backups. * chuckles *

Everyone is different, which is why it is good to have options.

Do you mind then, Jay, if I copy docs from the revision folder into the dropbox critique folder so I can critique them there? When I'm finished with a critique I can let the author know how to read it in Dropbox or even just upload the finished critique into the google docs revision folder.

Linux? Come on

And Phily,
My wife's been calling me 30 since I turned 27 (well, practically 30), but sometimes this group makes me feel old. That's good though because I'm glad people are taking this so seriously much earlier in life than I did. Let me know if you have any questions on Dropbox.

Of course, that would be fine.

What? Haha.

You don't seem old Tim, I wouldn't have guessed you were 30.

I knew he was old, but not THAT old! WOW!!!! I'm kidding of course...

I sure didn't! Most of my friends are in their thirties. Or their early teens I have very few friends my age. Other than my adopted sister.

Most of my friends are either in their late thirties or late teens. Or in their 60s.

Same here, actually. At least in real life. Online I tend to spend more time with people... 11-40.

I was KIDDING!!! Sheesh...you think I would call my own parents old?? Well...um...

Anyways...

This has turned in to a talk about your friends' ages and your own and what the margin of old is. Time to re-rail this train.

Hahahaha.

Yep. My parents are still in their 30s... just barely though.

Hmmm...This is a *talk about your parent's age* thread. Wonder how they'd all feel if they saw it...

Thanks Elanhil, back to the thread on critiquing. I've copied some files submitted for critique into dropbox, but I'm doing double duty uploading my submission to the holy worlds revision folder.

I'm still not sure how to alert people that I have a submission ready for critique. I don't see anywhere on the forum to post or a general way to announce other than sharing the link on facebook and twitter with those few of you whom are friends with me on those.

What if I start a thread that is for people with a submission ready and anyone interested in critiquing can subscribe so they are updated when another submission is ready? They can unsubscribe if they don't have time and resubscribe when they do. I'm very thankful for Jay reading my story, but so far he's the only one. I'd like to find a more efficient way to recruit help.

I don't see why people can't start individual threads for their works when they want to put them up for critique. I would start them in the Fireside and post a link to the file - or post a notice explaining your use of Dropbox and asking people to PM you for access. I don't see how that's significantly different than posting your work directly in the forums.

ML opinion, here?