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Dropbox

Dropbox can be used to host images, game-related files (ROMs, etc.), and webЯcade feed documents.

Important

By default, Dropbox URLs do not support downloading content directly (it first presents a landing page with details about the file, etc.). Fortunately, webЯcade will automatically convert these URLs and allow for direct downloading of the associated content.

However, this automatic conversion process will not take place when the Dropbox URL is shortened via a link shortener (TinyURL, etc.). This is a fairly common practice when the feed is hosted in Dropbox and a shortener is used to reduce the feed's URL.

If you still wish to use a link shortener with a Dropbox URL (for a feed, etc.), you can modify the URL manually to support direct downloading prior to shortening it.

For Dropbox URLs that look similar to the following: 

https://www.dropbox.com/...njyKSC.a78?rlkey=wbv6ujv3gblk1uftj6j1jhv8x&dl=0
Simply change dl=0 to dl=1 as shown below: 
https://www.dropbox.com/...njyKSC.a78?rlkey=wbv6ujv3gblk1uftj6j1jhv8x&dl=1

The process to host files in Dropbox is as follows:

  • Register and login to a Dropbox account.
  • Upload one or more files to Dropbox.
  • Copy the link associated with each file (see screenshot below). The "Copy link" option will appear when a file is hovered by the cursor.

  • After clicking on the "Copy link" option, a pop-in stating that the link has been copied to the clipboard will appear (see screenshot below).

Note

Although it is possible to host images in Dropbox, it is not recommended. The time to retrieve images from Dropbox is significantly slower than dedicated image hosting sites (see Imgur page), leading to an inconsistent webЯcade player (front-end) experience (slow loading images with visible pop-ins, etc.).

Example

The following is an example of a simple webЯcade feed that includes the Dropbox link to the excellent Sega Master System homebrew game Darc (outlined in the steps above).

There is also a tab named, "Shortened URLs", wherein the link has been shortened (see TinyURL page). Shortening of URLs is recommended as it reduces the size of the overall feed and mitigates false-positive blocking by simple URL filters.

{
  "title": "Dropbox Example Feed",
  "categories": [
    {
      "title": "Games",
      "items": [
        {
          "title": "Darc",
          "type": "sms",
          "props": {
            "rom": "https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/s/mjp3odan08deqp2/DARC.sms",
            "ym2413": true
          }
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}

{
  "title": "Dropbox Example Feed",
  "categories": [
    {
      "title": "Games",
      "items": [
        {
          "title": "Darc",
          "type": "sms",
          "props": {
            "rom": "https://tinyurl.com/4r9rww",
            "ym2413": true
          }
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}

The example from above can be tested by adding a feed with the following URL within the webЯcade player:

https://tinyurl.com/dropbox-feed-example

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