If you are unaware or new to file sharing/storing online, the first question that will arise is “Why should I store online and how will it benefit me?”
- Whenever your local storage like PC Hard drive fails or external storage is damaged or lost, files stored online in some reliable servers would serve as effective backup .
- Protect your files from viruses attack.
- You can access your files anywhere , anytime in the world.
- Share files online with your friends/Team mates for some collaborative work.
- Uploading files like photos, documents or some daily work done time to time will be fond memories of your development.
Options
So what are Options ? There are a lot of paid and free services online and I will discuss free storage services more than 5GB.The features of these services are discussed and compared in a table later in this article.
Using Gmail Space
The first option can be using the ~7GB Gmail inbox space as virtual Hard drive. This is accomplished by using a Firefox add –on called Gspace or a windows shell extension named Gmail Drive.
Gspace integrates with Firefox giving a FTP kind of interface for file transaction.
This operates in four modes as explained here.
Gmail Drive Shell extension for windows makes Gmail’s Inbox space as a drive in your PC.
This storage is not legal and is accomplished by cheating Google like sending own mails with attachments to the Inbox with specific labels. This service may get terminated or may not work if Google makes technical changes in Gmail configurations.
SkyDrive
It is part of its live services and needs a live account. Though the service is from Microsoft, it is free! and and being web based, its platform independent. So, Linux and MAC users can also consume this “Microsoft” service for free!
ADrive
This service from ADrive LLC., is free at basic level with a 50gb massive storage. Other paid services from this player includes higher storage capacity and many other facilities which can be compared here.
Feature | Gspace/Gmail Drive | SkyDrive | ADrive |
| Space | ~7GB (varies with Gmail inbox size) | 25GB | 50GB |
| FTP connection | No. But the interface is similar while using Gspace with Firefox | No | No. Available for paid Members |
| Official Desktop client | No. only 3rd party add-on/shell extension | No. Upload tool with Drag and drop facility only for IE from Microsoft | No |
| Account | Gmail account | Windows Live account | ADrive Registration |
| Folder Level Transaction | No | No | Yes |
| File Sharing | No | Only Public Folder | Yes, with permissions |
| Interface | Local. Depends on the tool used | Web. Catchy and colorful but not navigation friendly. | Web. Explorer Kind of Interface. |
| Reliability | Not Guaranteed | ||
| Extra Features | 4 Operation modes (mentioned above) | Completely integrated with Windows Live services like Photo gallery | File searching, Zoho Editor. |
 Though these seem to be attractive, there is a major issue called Privacy. We cant just sit back and enjoy keeping our personal files somewhere in a unknown server. But every firm has its own privacy policy and can hope that they will follow it at least to cope up with emerging competitions. |
Gladinet Desktop Client
A decent desktop client providing cloud computing services. It supports SkyDrive, ADrive, Google Picasa, Google Docs, Amazon storage for free at basic level.
It creates a network drive with folders of names with services we choose. Copies files we transact to a local cache and uploads files in background. Folder level transactions are possible with this client even in SkyDrive.Only move and cut operations are not allowed
Hope the article was useful!
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