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Syncplicity lets enterprises store files on their own servers, with an extra layer of authentication that prevents Syncplicity staff from getting to the files. It still allows for access to these files through a web browser. When enterprises use single-sign-on, users don't even realize that they're authenticating multiple times.

This is a very hard problem to solve for consumers, though. Most people don't have the time to set up their own cloud servers.

If all you want is simple folder synchronization, (computer in TN writes a file to a folder, computer in PA downloads it 10-20 seconds later,) than you might want to look at EMC Syncplicity. (I'm the desktop lead.)

EMC Syncplicity. Note: I am the desktop client lead.

I recently started a job with Syncplicity, a company that makes a similar product targeted towards enterprise use. Needless to say, it feels like DIY to me because a lot of the improvements that I put into the product are based on what I observe in my own personal use.

I wouldn't advise taking the DIY approach for a Dropbox replacement, unless it's a career decision. Magic folder synchronization requires a lot of expertise in many different areas of programming, system administration, database administration, security, and low-level API implementation. It's not something that can be whipped up in a weekend.

There are some decent-looking hosted alternatives to dropbox which do client-side encryption. I've looked into this a bit, but I haven't tried any of these yet, so YMMV...

One particularly interesting one is TarSnap. The best part is the client is OSS, so you can verify that encryption is done properly (strong & client-side). You could even reverse the protocol and design your own server software, if you want.
http://www.tarsnap.com/

Another interesting one is SpiderOak. However their client is not OSS, so you have to trust that they're doing the encryption properly
https://spideroak.com/

Here are some other potential hosts, but I'm not sure exactly how proper the encryption is:
http://www.boxcryptor.com/
http://syncplicity.com/products/

For the rest of us, perhaps this is a timely reminder to backup our data and be less trusting of the cloud.

Pardon the slashvertisement, but Syncplicity lets you synchronize Google Docs with a folder on multiple computers. You can choose either Word or OpenOffice formats; and then edit Google Docs files in Word or Open Office, even without an internet connection. The changes then are uploaded into Google Docs.

I've found that I only use organization solutions which I can have access to at any time. For example, a todo list is of little use to me if it can only be found on a single desktop computer. Because of this, I've found that solutions which allow access via my smartphone work best for me. That being said, it sucks entering information in via a tiny touchscreen or keypad. The obvious compromise, it seems, is to use web-based services that can sync with smartphone apps; cloud computing in other words. There are a lot of services that offer this, but I've only found a few that fit my last criteria that the apps be functional during times with no or limited internet access. These are as follows:

• For todo lists and reminders, I use Toodledo, an online service which stores and syncs your lists across platforms/devices. To access this on my iPhone I use Appigo Todo ($5.00).
• For scheduling and e-mail, I use Google Calendar and Gmail.
• For file storage and access, I use Syncplicity, Personal Edition, which is free. Although, I have considered changing to Dropbox lately.
• For Notes and personal reference, I've found Notespark (free service; $5.00 app) to be more than enough.
• Because this type of setup is very public, I put any potentially sensitive data in Truecrypt archives on a USB stick attached to my carkeys.

Total cost is $10.00, not including the USB stick. And it seems to cover all the various forms of personal data.

-Grym