HowTo: Install Dropbox In CSIL

Utilizing a workaround solution that removes the Nautilus dependency requirements when installing Dropbox, you can now setup Dropbox folder syncing in the CSIL - Linux lab at SFU. This workaround allows us avoid being asked for sudo privileges in the lab, which of course we don't have access to. Instead of integrating Dropbox with the UI (Nautilus), we utilize a Python script that is provided by Dropbox, allowing us to control the application easily though the command line.

First, from your sfuhome directory, get the latest version from source:
wget http://dl-web.dropbox.com/u/17/dropbox-lnx.x86-1.1.45.tar.gz

Keep in mind the current version of Dropbox available at this time is 1.1.45. You will want to check for the latest version on their site when performing this in the future.

Next unarchive the file:
tar xzf dropbox-lnx.x86-1.1.45.tar.gz

Finally run the program:
.dropbox-dist/dropbox

You will then be presented with the usual Dropbox installation interface. Choose a custom installation, and change the default sync directory to /home/YOUR_SFU_USER_ID/sfuhome/Dropbox.

If you move to a different machine in CSIL your files will still be available, as they are on your sfuhome drive, however you will need to run .dropbox-dist/dropbox from ~/sfuhome/ for each new machine. You also want to be sure to change the default Dropbox directory to the directory you have already created, and allow it to merge with the existing file in order to work properly