Deploying Web Apps Directly From Dropbox
Dropbox has long been a hub for project collaboration, and a growing ecosystem of services has enabled developers to build and publish content from their Dropbox folders. Services like Paperplane, Scriptogram, and Site44 have made it possible to generate simple websites and blogs, while Backlift and Harp support more complex JavaScript applications.
Now, Windows Azure has built on the Dropbox Core API to offer a more powerful workflow: managing full web applications directly from Dropbox. Developers can store their application code in a Dropbox folder, then push it live from the Windows Azure dashboard with a single click. Updates can be made locally in Dropbox and redeployed whenever needed, ensuring users always have the latest version.
This integration simplifies project management in several ways. Because the source lives in Dropbox, teams can collaborate from any device, take advantage of file version history, and revisit or restore previous deployments when necessary.
Developers interested in this workflow can get started by visiting Windows Azure to build sites, and incorporate Dropbox APIs into their applications via the Dropbox Core API. Additional details about the deployment features are covered in the Microsoft announcement blog post.
