Two accounts on same computer - how can I make a share folder for both?

Question

I need a shared folder. My wife and I need to exchange files on the same computer. How can we do that?

Answer 1

Here's a tutorial from Ubuntu Forums: How to create a shared folder for multiple local users.

1. Install bindfs.

   sudo apt-get install bindfs
   

2. Create a hidden and a visible directory for the files.

   sudo mkdir /home/.media # create a hidden directory 
   sudo mkdir /home/media  
   

3. Create a new group.

   sudo groupadd media
   

4. Add the user(s) to the group.

   sudo gpasswd -a usrname media
   

   Repeat this for all users. Log out and log back in your current user.

5. Edit the fstab file.

   sudoedit /etc/fstab
   

6. Add a new entry at the end of the file.

   bindfs#/home/.media    /home/media    fuse    group=media,perms=g=rwx
   

7. Mount the filesystems mentioned in fstab.

   sudo mount -a
   

8. Move the files you want to share in the /home/media directory.

Answer 2

If you have a constant internet connection and bandwidth is not a problem, then you could use Ubuntu One.

Answer 3

bindfs is documented in the Ubuntu wiki:

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Bindfs-SharedDirectoryLocalUsers