This discussion reminds me of when Dropbox was at ShowHN and someone was commenting on how this could be done with FTP.
So, indeed, a very cool replacement was SSH.
I still don’t know anyone who didn’t leave Dropbox after they jacked up the prices. A USB key is much cheaper (and reliable, at the rate at which Dropbox nukes accounts that they deem not compliant with whatever policy).
Can't remember the last time I saw a USB key in use anymore.
The cloud stuff is convenient, but it quickly became a commoditu Dropbox is still better in some small ways (like delta syncs) but it wasn't enough I guess.
There is always room for a smooth paid service compared to the rough free one. Android and Linux vs twice-more-expensive Apple.
Funny, I don't know anyone who did.