Getting started with MPE, Eclipse, and DropBox

This page will serve as a tutorial for how to use Dropbox in this class.

Signup

Create a dropbox account. You can get a free one here: http://dropbox.com with 2 GB of space. If you anticipate needing more space, you'll either have to work from the machines at ITP or pay for an upgrade. Note that as a class, we have a 50 GB limit. So if you are going to using more than 5 GB or so, please keep in touch with me about it.

Shared folders

Dropbox allows you to share folders with other users. This is how we are able to sync files between all of your laptops and the machines at ITP and IAC. You should have two shared folders, one you create and share with me and one that I share with you. The folder I will share with you is called examples2011 and will include the MPE server, Eclipse projects, openframeworks code, etc. Anything at all that we cover in class you can get from the shared Dropbox folder. The folder you share with me is where you put your stuff. What your stuff is depends, at the beginning of the semester, it might just be some JPGs you want to see at IAC. In the middle of semester, it might be an Eclipse project, a quicktime movie, an openframeworks app, etc. At the end of the semster, it will be your final piece. We'll talk about what that needs to be when the time comes. Once you create your folder, you can right-click on it and go to Dropbox --> Sharing Options. Send an invitation to daniel dot shiffman at nyu dot edu.

How to use an Eclipse project with Dropbox.

Here's the part where things get a little complicated. It's not that bad, it just takes some practice. I'm going to write out the steps here, but just be aware, it'll take some getting used to. I'll be going through this in class and with folks individually during our work sessions at IAC.

(A) I have a new Eclipse project on my machine that I want to share with Dropbox

Right-Click project and select "Export"
Select "File System"
Under "To directory", browse to your shared dropbox folder
Click "Finish"
Now this step will seem insane, but right-click project again and select "Delete" (!!). Make sure "Delete project contents on disk (cannot be undone") is selected. We are deleting the project because we no longer want the files that are in our default workspace, we instead want to point to the files in Dropbox which we will do in the next step.
In Eclipse, go to File --> Import.
Select "Existing Projects into Workspace."
Under "select root directory" browse to your shared dropbox folder
Select project
IMPORTANT STEP! Uncheck "copy project into workspace". You want your project to stay in the dropbox folder!
You are all set, you can now work on this project where the files are stored in dropbox!

(B) I want base a project off of an example from class

In Eclipse, go to File --> Import.
Select "Existing Projects into Workspace.
Under "select archive file" browse to the "examples2010/eclipseprojects" directory and select the example you want. Note the default will be to use "root directory", you should switch to "select archive file."
Click Finish
I recommend renaming the project. Right-click the project and select Refactor --> Rename. Pick a new name (include your name in the project title since it will appear on shared machines).
Now go and follow the instructions in "A"

(C) I am working at IAC or on the prototyping machines at ITP and want to pull up my project.

Follow these steps on all 3 machines
In Eclipse, go to File --> Import.
Select "Existing Projects into Workspace."
Under "select root directory" browse to your shared dropbox folder
Select project
IMPORTANT STEP! Uncheck "copy project into workspace". You want your project to stay in your dropbox folder!

Other advice

In general, I recommend also committing your project to a CVS, subversion, or GIT repository. This will serve as an additional backup for your work. Please be aware that if someone deletes files by accident on one of the shared machines, dropbox will also delete those files on your laptop. Dropbox does keep backups, but it certainly can't hurt for you to keep your own.