Cloud Based Storage

[Method Man]

Now then, thanks to Craig at altwebdesign I'm really getting into this IT "lark".

I've managed to set up my domain names and email addresses and have ruled out Facebook as something I want to "get into".

My next mission is on data storage. I currently use a USB memory stick but I'm forever leaving the damn thing at home which means I have to alter my work plan for the day.

My daughter (early teens) has suggested I look at "cloud based" storage.

Bearing in mind I didn't know what Facebook is, "cloud based" storage might as well come from Mars. I understand the concept (I think) but would it be any good for me. Are there any sites out there which come recommended by anyone on here?

Thanks for everyone's patience - I am getting there (honest)

 

[Rudi]

http://www.skydrive.com/

You get 20GB free if I remember correctly. I know some people will recommend DropBox etc but the allowances aren't as grand

BTW - "Cloud" is generally used by most people as a term for the internet, because they don't really know what it means, and in layman's terms, that's exactly what it is - something on the internet. The basic concept is that you will be storing your files somewhere else, on the internet, so it's always available to you whereever you are in the world.

That said, you can place 'cloud' on the same ridiculous and hated word pile as 'entrepeneur'

 

[Calibre Designs]

Get in touch withLee and Backups Anywhere : http://www.backupsanywhere.com/

He is a forum member and friendly to chat to.

 

[Krash]

If you have an android phone, or access to one, look at box.net and you get 50gb for life, for free.

 

[That Guy]

Dropbox should be perfect depending on how much space you need.

You get 2gb Free: https://www.dropbox.com/

 

[MaxDaniel]

Thanks rudi, for telling what is cloud.

 

[millerg78]

Cloud storage is a very fast growing market and a lot of the service providers are currently offering free plans alongside with their paid plans.

Some leading ones are

Dropbox, Box.net, Amazon Cloud Drive & Sugar Sync.

 

[Method Man]

SkyDrive seems to be the dog's proverbials for me.

Lovely stuff.

 

[fisicx]

Cloud storage is a very fast growing market and a lot of the service providers are currently offering free plans alongside with their paid plans.

Did you actually read Rudi's post?

If you want to store data externally what's wrong with your own hosting?

Just set up a folder on the server and FTP everything up and down. Free and easy to use.

 

[Rudi]

SkyDrive seems to be the dog's proverbials for me.

Lovely stuff.

Glad you like it, I'm pretty sure they just activated the web-based versions of office on SkyDrive now too, which means you can work from anywhere on your Office docs... Basically Google Docs but better

 

[darren atkinson]

Just set up a folder on the server and FTP everything up and down. Free and easy to use.

I don't agree with this, I have considered it but its too much of a hassle.

With a service like dropbox syncing your files up and down is automatic, you can easily access them through a web browser from any Internet PC without faffing around with FTP access, you can use Apps on an iPad, iPhone or Andorid device to access files easily, and it does things live file version tracking and undelete.

It is a far superior option to using a standard FTP client however if you are simply looking for file backup from one PC then I guess your solution could work.

I also liked Microsoft Mesh, now Skydrive but the fact that it was an absolute pain to access the files through my iPad meant I switched to Dropbox and I really like it. I would go back to Skydrive though if they had dedicated Apps for it though.

I realise accessing files on an iPad is not a concern for everyone but for me it is very useful indeed.

 

[Rudi]

Dedicated Microsoft Apps like SkyDrive for general access and OneNote for well, your OneNote files?

 

[darren atkinson]

Isn't there an issue whereby Live Mesh can only use a small amount of your Skydrive space?

It's the auto syncing functionality that appeals along with the ease of access.

 

[Rudi]

Hmmmm, from what I've read yes, Mesh can only use 5GB of the 25GB. While I wouldn't call that a small amount I guess it depends on your usage which is a shame

However, from other things that I have read, if you use Windows 8, the SkyDrive app here (which is awesome btw!) supports the full 25GB. If you do try using it again and hit that 5GB limit (nothing was confirmed of what I read) then give me a shout, might be an interesting sideline project to make an auto-sync system that can use the full 25GB.

EDIT: Gladinet can map SkyDrive locally, and there's a "premium" version for $49.99 that has automatic sync, which is severely overpriced imo... However my point is that you could install Gladinet, map the drive as a Network Drive, and use some free sync software like you was backing up over a normal shared drive.

 

[darren atkinson]

Yeah I had also heard the Windows 8 is going to be far more integrated with Skydrive so perhaps I will wait for that.

I pay for a Dropbox premium account now and am using 53.8% of 50.2GB of storage, you don't want to know how long that took to upload over my broadband connection!!

 

[brianabbott]

I got details of ADrive in my inbox today, worth a look: http://www.adrive.com/plans