Online storage and cloud computing (updated!)

It’s going on for a while now: the trend that software is used on the web instead of your home computer. Also that you store your files and folders online. This is called online storage and also cloud computing or software in the cloud.

With the extension of the number of fast broadband connections this trend will only go faster. That explains the current explosion of online mail software (think Google’s Gmail), weblogs, web photo albums (Picasa), RSS readers and even complete office suites (Google Docs) on the internet.In a few years we won’t be buying any software wrapped in a box, but we take a subscription on software through the internet. No more need to install any software or download patches and updates. The internet software is constantly being revised and updated automatically. And you can work with your favorite programs all around the world as long as there is a connection with the internet. You no longer have to backup all your important files,  because the online software suppliers do it for you. And even more important: your valuable digital stuff (mp3, pictures, movies etc.) is kept in a save way. Today you’re making backups of your files on cd’s or on external hard disks, but if you’re on a holiday you can’t get to your files. Imagine what happens if your house burns down… Online storage also makes it possible to share your files with others.

We will now review some of these online software and storage programs.

Google Docs

Google docsA great thing about a web application like Google Docs is that you can access your files any time. But the best thing is you can work with several people on the same document, spreadsheet or presentation at the same time. You can also upload Word or OpenOffice files to Google Docs and continue working from there. And ofcourse you can save your files in Google Docs in formats like Word or PDF. It’s also great for people who don’t have Word or Office on their computer. With Google Docs they’re able to open and read these types of documents.

Gladinet

Gladinet Cloud DesktopGladinet itself doesn’t offer you online storage. With the Gladinet you don’t have to access online storage portals via internet, but it integrates these services as a virtual drive into your Windows Explorer. Gladinet  turns Windows Explorer into a cloud storage portal where your Gladinet Drive has a folder for each storage service that you have mounted. This way you can easily transfer files or folders between service providers with a simple drag and drop. It also allows you to create automated backups from local files or folder to the cloud or from cloud sources to cloud targets.

Glide

GlideWith Glide you can save ánd share several digital files like music, photo, video, text and PowerPoint presentations.

Glide is a free suite of rights-based productivity and collaboration applications with 30 GB storage. You can setup and administer up to six family member accounts including child accounts from your Glide settings panel. Glide provides automatic file and application compatibility across devices and operating systems. With Glide you also get the Glide Sync App which helps you to synchronize your home and work files.

You can even use Glide on virtually any mobile phone with a browser. To access Glide on your mobile go to http://www.GlideMobile.com.

IDriveIDrive basic
Offers you 2 GB of full featured Online Backup for free. Features include Automatic Backup, True Archiving, Versioning, Continuous Backup, Mapped Drive Backup and more.

Dropbox

Dropbox

Dropbox

Dropbox offers functions as a storage service of 2 GB that simply syncs files between any number of computers and the web. It supports file revision, so files deleted from the Dropbox folder may be recovered from any of the synced computers. In the free version of Dropbox version history is limited to 30 days.

Yousendit
Yousendit doesn’t offer permanent online storage, but is a way to come around the email restrictions. A lot of mail providers don’t allow to send large attachments. With Yousendit you can send your friends and family a link to the downloadable file. This file can have a maximum size of 2 GB. Default file expiration is 14 days, but you can set file expiration to “never expire” while sending. You have 40 GB of download bandwidth each month.

Mozy Backup
Offers the opportunity to backup 2 GB of data. Mozy is free, but every once in a while sends you commercial email. So when signing up don’t use your “own” email. After downloading and installing Mozy Remote Backup software (only for Windows XP) you can start the backup with a simple wizard. You’re backups are send through a secure connection and are being encrypted.

In.solit.us
After registering for an account you can drop your files. Further you decide who get to see your files: only you, a limited group of users or anybody who visits the site. Files from the last category can be seen without an account.

Send2deliver
Send2Deliver is a free tool to easily send large files around the world. You can send up to 10 files with a maximum size of 10o MB.

Mediafire

With Mediafire you get the features you need to easily upload, download, manage, and share your documents, presentations, videos, images, and more. You can upload an unlimited number of files and have unlimited storage. However with the free version you can upload files up to 200 MB filesize.

Rapidshare

With Rapidshare you can upload to 10 files with a total filesize (of all the files) of 200 MB.

WeTranfser

With WeTransfer you can send files up to 2 GB, no registration needed. You can send files to 20 receivers. The files are available for 2 weeks. The interface uses Flash.

Zumodrive

ZumoDrive is a cloud-based file synchronization and storage service. It enables you to store and synchronize files online and between computers. Files in the ZumoDrive virtual disk may be shared with other ZumoDrive users or accessed from the web. Users may also upload files manually through a web browser interface. A free ZumoDrive account offers 2 GB of storage.

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