Requirements are quite simple: sync up a shared folder between 3 macs, 1 pc and 2 laptops. OS are: Windows XP, Vista and MacOS. Data doesn't need to be on the cloud, but the sync needs to work reliably (dropbox messed up few of the syncs in a bad way and I had to get the backups out)
Data growth is quite slow, may be ~2 Gb/week
I don't have a full time IT person, so I should be able to manage things without going into system administration, rsync scares me
I want to pay may be < $.20/Gb, dropbox is expensive at $.50/gig on their highest capacity plan.
From what I can see AeroFS would fit the bill very nicely, but they seem to be not really available at this point
Another option I am looking at right now is Microsoft Live Mesh, which has an app for a Mac. I don't have ideological reasons not to try them, so I am installing it on one of the macs to see if it works or no
i think bang for buck would be something akin to usb disk, it's arguably offsite. there are lots of software applications that can provide automation of file backup.
if you want sync, there's sugarsync and box.net, haven't used those so no feedback.
if you want online backup there's carbonite and mozy that offer unlimited accounts.
The only thing standing between you and ideas is your own conscious mind. So you need to find a way to make it go away. Try doodling. A lot. Let your mind go and ideas will flow. Running, bicycling or skipping ropes - it could be any activity. You'll know which one works with you only when you try.
Ideas are often born via cross-pollination. Do stuff and read books, beyond your narrow field of expertise.
Internet/libraries are full of books about idea, creativity & thinking. You'll have to do several iterations to find a routine that works for you.
