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rbaterin's avatar
rbaterin
Explorer | Level 4
8 years ago

Alias shortcut files don't work as expected on Dropbox or on another user's computer

Hi,  I am using the latest Mac OS and have Dropbox Personal (DBP). I share some folders with 2 other people who have DBP and the same Mac OS. I 've been having trouble with alias shortcuts (I think...
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  • Mark's avatar
    Mark
    8 years ago
    The issue will be that the symlinks are set up to work on YOUR machine (i.e. 'Users\Ray'). That means that on every body elses machines it will be looking for the same folder which obviously wont work as that doesnt exist.

    I'm afraid there is no work around other than moving the files in to Dropbox and symlinking the original locations. Unfortunately this is why they are technically unsupported via Dropbox.
Mark's avatar
Mark
Icon for Super User II rankSuper User II
The issue will be that the symlinks are set up to work on YOUR machine (i.e. 'Users\Ray'). That means that on every body elses machines it will be looking for the same folder which obviously wont work as that doesnt exist.

I'm afraid there is no work around other than moving the files in to Dropbox and symlinking the original locations. Unfortunately this is why they are technically unsupported via Dropbox.
rbaterin's avatar
rbaterin
Explorer | Level 4
8 years ago

Thanks for the reply. 

 

Would this work in any way in Dropbox Business? Or am I running in the same issue? 

 

Does Dropbox have its own symlink within the tree? 

  • Mark's avatar
    Mark
    Icon for Super User II rankSuper User II
    8 years ago
    No it wouldnt work any different,

    And no Dropbox doesnt use its own symlinks for most people - the issue is as you said - it cannot sync whats on them and when it does it does so sporadically and not in real time as it should.
    • rbaterin's avatar
      rbaterin
      Explorer | Level 4
      8 years ago

      Thanks Mark for the replies. It looks like the symlinks do not work in a shared sense. 

       

      However, if he/she created their own individual symlinks on their own computer in their own folder in the Dropbox tree will it technically work? I am assuming that it will because they own that symlink. I, myself, will not be able to utilize those links as those links are strictly set up based on the relativity of that particular user's computer.

       

      Having said that, sounds like symlinks are not absolute but relative. And, therefore can only work for that one particular user who created that symlink. 

       

      I think that maybe then it would be best to create a folder for that particular user, say "Executive 1 Reports", and he/she can create their own symlinks within that folder. - and only that particular user can edit what they want to see. 

       

      Am I going in the right direction on this?

      • Mark's avatar
        Mark
        Icon for Super User II rankSuper User II
        8 years ago
        Personally all I'm going to say is 'Dropbox does not support symlinks' and thats for a very good reason - the risk of data loss.

        Because of that I havent used them I'm afraid.

        I dont think what you want to do will work if its a share, but, may do if nothing is shared.

        As I said you should put the files inside Dropbox and symlink from original location.

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