Operation Tulip is an European online service based on Nextcloud technology with beautiful appearance that is free/libre open source software (also known as FLOSS). It is a solution for most people who cannot afford to setup a server computer themselves but want a secure, privacy respecting, full featured internet based storage and file sharing. By having a gratis account you can unlock yourself to try file manager integration, as well as calendar, contacts, backup, and phones synchronization that can be accessed anywhere anytime. Operation Tulip is one great example among others that are still coming and growing. This is a beginner's guide to Operation Tulip as well as more generally to Nextcloud usage. Let's try it out!

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What is Operation Tulip & Nextcloud?

Operation Tulip (https://operationtulip.com) is the service, Nextcloud is the software behind it, and this combination is a complete technology for file sharing comparable to Google Suite that comprises of G. Drive, G. Docs, G. Calendar, G. News, and more. Operation Tulip, based on Sweden, offers gratis accounts (at least up to today), promises to be secure and privacy respecting. Up to December 2020 this generous service is still in Beta Testing and offers everyone a free 50 GB account. You can think Operation Tulip as a strong alternative to Dropbox, MEGA, Mediafire, or of course Google Drive. Read here its Legal Notice or User Guide.

What Ubuntu apps can access Operation Tulip?

Operation Tulip is usable with famous software on your Ubuntu:

• Firefox web browser
  
• Nautilus file manager
• Thunderbird email client
• GNOME Calendar
• Nextcloud Desktop
• Online Accounts (settings)

It is also usable from your Android phone with:

• Nextcloud app
• K-9 Mail

1. Create a gratis account

Go to sign up page and finish it. 

Tip: save your login secrets in password storage KeePassXC.

2. Login

Go to sign in page. 

Tip: if you forgot your password, see your KeePassXC.

3. Get started with the interface

Here's  a brief intro to Operation Tulip user interface. Don't worry, if you are already accustomed to G. Drive, it is very easy to understand.

• Top left: main menu where you can access files, contacts, calendars, etc.
• Top center: search.
• Top right: notification area & your profile.
• Left area: shortcuts (top) & settings (bottom). 
• Largest area: your files & folders.

4. Upload files and photos

Drag and drop from file manager into Operation Tulip. As easy as that!

5. Share files

Click a file or a photo in Operation Tulip web and copy the share link and give that link to your friends. An example should be like this link. 

6. Make Operation Tulip your drive

Go to Online Accounts in your system settings and setup a Nextcloud account with Operation Tulip identities:

• URL: cloud.operationtulip.com
• Username: your username
• Password: your password

7. Logout

Click logout button. See you next time!

Tips and Tricks

Here's some advises you can try to enhance your nice experience Operation Tulip:

KeePassXC - install this must-have program on your Ubuntu computer and save safely your Tulip's username and password on it so only you know your login secrets.

KeePassDX - install this XC counterpart on Android and I recommend you to obtain it safely from F-Droid instead of Play Store.

Nextcloud Desktop - install this on your Ubuntu computer to help you automatically synchronize (send) folders you want to Tulip drive. This is a good idea to make backups done easily hands free.

F-Droid - have this play store alternative on your Android phone and watch for new apps. Many apps already published in F-Droid so you can live conveniently with Nextcloud technology.

Happy sharing!