Disclaimer: We know that many of the really good modelers are already doing this! If you are already up to date on this, at least check out some of our recommendations

Regardless of your software preference (maybe you use both), you have probably already said this to yourself, "Why the heck isn't there an undo button?" 

Or maybe you are sick of not being able to run TRACE 700 files on a network?

So what's the solution. You have no doubt heard of "cloud computing" right? This is where your files are stored online somewhere and then backing it up is their problem. To be honest, a lot of cloud computing sucks because of speed issues and lack of user friendliness.

There is an option that is so easy a 100 year old architect could use it  (you use your computer just like you usually do) and it's great for energy-modelers. Oy yeah, and it's free (you get 2 gb of space free, and you get a bonus if you sign up with the link below). It's called dropbox and you can use this link to sign up and get bonus space.

Why is it BETTER than running TRACE 700 on a network?

Dropbox backs up your file everytime you close it. So, the rest of the time, it's just like any other file on your computer, so you don't run into issues with . There's a limit to the number of backups, but if you change the file name every so often, that's not a problem.

You can also share a folder. Thus, if you calculated a file, and you shared the folder, a colleague could open the file and view results without calculating.

Other features:

• It works exactly like any other Windows folder
• Shared files automatically download to colleagues computers
• Share lib7.db files (TRACE 700)
• No need to "locate" .pd2, .inp files in eQUEST (share the whole folder with ease)
• Share all energy modeling reports in .pdf with ease
• Weather file missing? Share all of them
• No zipping
• Countless more

Is it really an Undo button?

Well, not really. But it creates backups everytime you close your file, which could be 10x a day. We recommend backing up as normal until you get used to the process.

How does it work for energy-modeling?

1. Sign up for Dropbox here 
2. Install Dropbox to your computer and set it up (it takes <5 minutes)
3. Save your files to a folder in Dropbox
4. Use your files like normal
5. If you need to restore a backup, close eQUEST/TRACE, and find the file. Right click it:
   
   select restore previous version
    
6.  Dropbox will open. Select the arrow to restore previous versions:
   
7. View the previous versions you wish to restore, and select the appropriate one:
   

What if I want Unlimited backups?

Paid dropbox accounts have an additional feature for purchase called "Packrat" which allows unlimited backups.