Given how cheap and small flash storage has become and how easy it is to maintain on one's person at pretty much all times nowadays, I don't understand the appeal with this method given the possible extra security vulnerabilities it introduces bringing a "third party" like DropBox into the mix.
I personally would rather just rather do the same thing but sync the files on a small dedicated "key ring" type flash drive for saves. The added security would be worth the extra effort of just "plugging in a flash drive" to me. This also would provide the ability to utilize updated and current saves in areas without an internet connection.
Some might think I'm a little paranoid but my hardware never gets compromised either. Just throwing an alternative approach out there for those who may want this convenience but with some extra security.

+1, Sir.
I didn't expected the whole tutorial when I clicked on this thread. ;)

Flash drive removes the entire part of being convenient. It's like saying "just email the save(s)." Copying files over multiple times depending on the amount of travel. Not even comparable.

I think you may have misunderstood what I was suggesting. I'm not suggesting to "hand copy" saves back and forth all the time. I was offering that one could set up 2 way file/folder synchronization utilizing windows built-in-tools like Microsoft Briefcase or SynchToy.
This explains the general principle behind it.
Considering this, both methods have labor involved in the initial setup but function the same with the only difference being "plugging in a flash drive." As stated earlier, not only does this have an added advantage with the ability to use updated and current saves where internet isn't available, but also lessens the possible attack vectors from a security standpoint.

But... but... that's a Microsoft service! :P
It looks like that service can synchronize arbitrary folders - so yes, it probably will be easier to set up. People who are interested should definitely check it out.
You raise a legitimate concern, and I'm sure many will prefer your suggestion. It is my impression that SyncToy is the better of the two tools you suggest, so people might want to use that.
Also; there's nothing wrong with being paranoid is a good thing when it comes to IT security. Being paranoid is a good idea if someone really are out to get you - and on the internet, plenty of people are.
+1 to both of you for good suggestions.

le bump

Thank you tor!
What an awesome guide.

Sorry but I don't understand this habit nowadays of saving personal (or not so personal in this case) files on the internet.
I mean, don't people know how to make back-ups now? Do you really need to give your files to a third party? What do you do when the service is down or when your internet access is down?
While I can understand the exemple of your house burning with your computer in it, well, you can use portable storage, like a USB key or something.
Just funny to see computer progress. Long time ago, we've started with terminals, then we evolve with personnal computers. And now, we're progressively returning back to terminals, where your computer is just an access to datas and programs that are not on your computer.
Ok, here we're just talking about game saves and prefs, but it's in the same way that many big companies (like Microsoft and Apple) want us to go: "your datas are with us, don't keep them in your computers"...

Convenience, you don't need to worry about which computer you saved that document on, or about losing that important USB stick... people forget stuff and want everything to be easy to use, keeping two USB sticks synchronised with important files is too complicated for most people, let alone three or four at various locations for better safety against data loss. They also trust a large company to keep the data safer/more secure (data loss/intrusion) than they do themselves.
Personally, I like the idea of cloud storage based on the fact that my data is available from anywhere, but I'd rather roll my own than use available solutions and rely on someone else.

In the case of Dropbox and Microsoft's Live Mesh, your data is on the internet in addition to, not instead of, on your own computer. That's the safest way to do things I think; if your house is hit by a meteorite you have a backup online, and if Dropbox accidentally deletes your files you still have them on your computer.
Stuff will still works if the internet is down, Dropbox syncs pending changes at the next opportunity.
There are obvious privacy concerns of course, and the individual user will have to decide what files they consider safe to sync that way.
The appeal of syncing via the internet for me is the convenience, especially for files that are constantly being updated (like saved games) from multiple locations (if you play the same game on different computers, say). I could use a flash drive for that, and it might work well for stuff like documents, but it's not quite as convenient for me, especially regarding the saved games.
If you're thinking of stuff like Google Docs, where the online copy is the only copy, well that's a whole different matter.

Again, no problem with a portable usb storage, that you can always have on you.
Oh, and if you were in the house at this moment, well... I guess the loss of data is no more your main concern... ;p
Don't get me wrong, I understand your point and the fact that, for you, it can be convenient. I just don't like when technology, presented being helpfull, is in fact here to not make you think. Believe me, most people will not use this thiking that it's safe, they'll use it thinking that it's easy. Big difference in my opinion.

Tor,

If you get a chance could you check your GOG PM? Thanks. :)

For a more automated processes [url=]http://www.gamesave-manager.com/[/url]

alternatives (but they don't use syslinks)
[url=]http://masgau.org/index.php?title=Main_Page[/url]
[url=]http://savegamebackup.net/forum/[/url]