So there are load of Cloud Storage Options out there and in this series of blogposts, tagged Cloud Storage, we are exploring the market. Today we are going to focus on free services. How much bang can you get absolutely no buck?
So here's a summary of the free services available. As you can see 5 GB seems to be the typical free limit. Many of the services have maximum file size limits, although this is typically the same as the service capacity. Dropbox allows you to increase to 8 GB for free by earning 250 MB each time you share their service with your friends. You even get 250 MB extra space free by finishing their tutorial.
The best feature of any of these online storage products is that you can store files securely and access them through a web browser. You never need to worry about losing a USB stick again.
Showing posts with label Cloud Storage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cloud Storage. Show all posts
Sunday, 10 February 2013
Tuesday, 5 February 2013
Cloud Storage Options
There are a lot of companies out there ready to sell (and give away!) space in the cloud to store and backup your documents, photos and music. But the costs, features and limitations vary between companies. If you are looking for a clear cut comparison of cloud services available today, you have come to the right place!
The criteria I have focused on in this blogpost is cost vs storage space. Some of these services do have other features which can be useful though. Microsoft's Skydrive has an Xbox app for example, and most of these services can be accessed from your smartphone.
Looking at services which cost up to £100 a year, be it a monthly or annual charge, you get a big variation in storage space. For example for a 100 GB account with Dropbox (£74.40) you are paying twice the cost that Google Drive charges (£37.20).
Prices correct as of January 2013, and are likely to keep changes as these companies compete with one another for your custom.
The criteria I have focused on in this blogpost is cost vs storage space. Some of these services do have other features which can be useful though. Microsoft's Skydrive has an Xbox app for example, and most of these services can be accessed from your smartphone.
Looking at services which cost up to £100 a year, be it a monthly or annual charge, you get a big variation in storage space. For example for a 100 GB account with Dropbox (£74.40) you are paying twice the cost that Google Drive charges (£37.20).
Prices correct as of January 2013, and are likely to keep changes as these companies compete with one another for your custom.
Wednesday, 2 January 2013
iCloud and Mac OS X Lion
Apple offers their latest operating system, OS X Mountain Lion, for a reasonable rate in your local currency. However not all existing Mac's meet the minimum hardware specification, and are therefore limited to it's predecessor Mac OS X Lion. This is typical of new operating systems as the demands on the system hardware tend to increase or sometimes older processors architectures are no longer supported for upgrade, such as Apples transition from PowerPC to Intel processors about 5 years ago.
This blogpost is about the specific implications of running Mac OS X Lion along side the latest versions of iLife and iWorks applications supporting iCloud.
Firstly Shared Photo Streams are NOT included in the latest versions of iPhoto and Aperture when running on Mac OS X Lion. This can not be due to a hardware restriction as the personal Photo Stream (up to 1000 most recent photos) works perfectly and keeps all your latest snaps up to date just as on iPhones, iPads and Apple TV's. So why omit it? To encourage you to upgrade to a new Mac?
When it comes to iCloud storage of documents for iWork the Apple webpage says: "iCloud requires iOS 5 on iPhone 3GS or later, iPod touch (3rd and 4th generation), or iPad; a Mac computer with OS X Lion or later". So you would assume that Pages, Numbers and Keynote would be fully integrated with iCloud document storage as shown on the Apple webpage advertising each service, assuming your Mac is running either Lion or Mountain Lion.
This, however, is not the case. From the Help file in Pages: "Updating documents using iCloud works differently, depending on whether you’re using OS X Lion or OS X Mountain Lion (v10.8)". How different you ask? Well the method of transferring files on Mac OS X Lion is to use www.icloud.com! Cloud services such as Google Drive and Dropbox, for just two of many examples, which include a desktop app, syncing automatically, offer a far neater solution to push your content to cloud storage than via a web browser. The web browser method is a handy tool for when you are away from your computer, not a primary workflow. The requirement is then that you manage the library on your Mac and choose what to upload or download. iCloud is supposed to 'just work' and the versions feature should stop you losing old parts of a document.
These two examples could be included on older systems if not for Apples need to add new features which are unique to the latest OS. In many cases systems which can't run Mountain Lion can in fact run either Windows 7 or Windows 8 using boot camp and can enjoy Shared Photo Streams with the iCloud application for windows.
So in summary, always remain up-to-date or unfortunately expect some disappointment.
This blogpost is about the specific implications of running Mac OS X Lion along side the latest versions of iLife and iWorks applications supporting iCloud.
Firstly Shared Photo Streams are NOT included in the latest versions of iPhoto and Aperture when running on Mac OS X Lion. This can not be due to a hardware restriction as the personal Photo Stream (up to 1000 most recent photos) works perfectly and keeps all your latest snaps up to date just as on iPhones, iPads and Apple TV's. So why omit it? To encourage you to upgrade to a new Mac?
When it comes to iCloud storage of documents for iWork the Apple webpage says: "iCloud requires iOS 5 on iPhone 3GS or later, iPod touch (3rd and 4th generation), or iPad; a Mac computer with OS X Lion or later". So you would assume that Pages, Numbers and Keynote would be fully integrated with iCloud document storage as shown on the Apple webpage advertising each service, assuming your Mac is running either Lion or Mountain Lion.
This, however, is not the case. From the Help file in Pages: "Updating documents using iCloud works differently, depending on whether you’re using OS X Lion or OS X Mountain Lion (v10.8)". How different you ask? Well the method of transferring files on Mac OS X Lion is to use www.icloud.com! Cloud services such as Google Drive and Dropbox, for just two of many examples, which include a desktop app, syncing automatically, offer a far neater solution to push your content to cloud storage than via a web browser. The web browser method is a handy tool for when you are away from your computer, not a primary workflow. The requirement is then that you manage the library on your Mac and choose what to upload or download. iCloud is supposed to 'just work' and the versions feature should stop you losing old parts of a document.
These two examples could be included on older systems if not for Apples need to add new features which are unique to the latest OS. In many cases systems which can't run Mountain Lion can in fact run either Windows 7 or Windows 8 using boot camp and can enjoy Shared Photo Streams with the iCloud application for windows.
So in summary, always remain up-to-date or unfortunately expect some disappointment.
Saturday, 8 December 2012
Kickstarter Project: Transporter Hard Drive
Are you looking for an alternative to the various cloud storage solutions on offer with monthly subscriptions? This Kickstarter project is for a device, called a Transporter, which allows you to easily create your own personal cloud storage. All of your data will remain private and under your full control. If you have two Transporter devices, you can get specific folders on the Transporter to automatically synchronise over the internet, using SSL security.
This device allows you to install, and therefore upgrade your own hard disk. The hard disks used are 2.5" hard disks. There are no plans at the moment to support solid state drives.
Here's a link to the kickstarter project: click here
This device allows you to install, and therefore upgrade your own hard disk. The hard disks used are 2.5" hard disks. There are no plans at the moment to support solid state drives.
Here's a link to the kickstarter project: click here
Saturday, 28 April 2012
Google Drive vs Dropbox vs SkyDrive
So here's a quick round up of each of these cloud services so you can get the most for your money (or free!).
Google Drive
Drive is Google's new product and brings the cloud storage of Google Doc's to all file types and sync's with your desktop using applications. Google is a late entrant into the cloud file storage market, but have been a leader for other cloud services, such as web mail, for a long time. Their Google Doc's is also pretty handy as you can edit documents from within a browser, with no need to download, edit and then upload. It just cuts out the hassle.
Dropbox
Dropbox is the most popular cloud storage system with 45 million users according to lockergnome.com. The service allows you to access your files through the slick web based UI or apps for computers and mobile devices. You can increase your free allocation of the storage space by simply completing the tutorial and then spreading the word with your friends, family and colleagues. Each sign up gets you both an extra 500MB of space!
SkyDrive
Microsoft's offering is fully integrated with their Office Web Apps system, which is like Google Doc's but actually Word, Excel etc. The system also features the app's for syncing and viewing content on various platforms. It also works with the Hotmail web mail service to help users transfer large files with attaching them to emails.
Comparison
The file storage options are compared below.
Google Drive
Drive is Google's new product and brings the cloud storage of Google Doc's to all file types and sync's with your desktop using applications. Google is a late entrant into the cloud file storage market, but have been a leader for other cloud services, such as web mail, for a long time. Their Google Doc's is also pretty handy as you can edit documents from within a browser, with no need to download, edit and then upload. It just cuts out the hassle.
Dropbox
Dropbox is the most popular cloud storage system with 45 million users according to lockergnome.com. The service allows you to access your files through the slick web based UI or apps for computers and mobile devices. You can increase your free allocation of the storage space by simply completing the tutorial and then spreading the word with your friends, family and colleagues. Each sign up gets you both an extra 500MB of space!
SkyDrive
Microsoft's offering is fully integrated with their Office Web Apps system, which is like Google Doc's but actually Word, Excel etc. The system also features the app's for syncing and viewing content on various platforms. It also works with the Hotmail web mail service to help users transfer large files with attaching them to emails.
Comparison
The file storage options are compared below.
Tuesday, 24 April 2012
Google Drive
Google Drive is here... yes really! Google admit on their blogpost that Google Drive is about as rumoured as the Loch Ness monster, but it is finally here! With 5GB free storage, and up to 16GB with subscriptions, Google Drive is everything it was rumoured to be. It is fully integrated into Google Docs and works cross platform on all your devices.
Until now Microsoft's SkyDrive, Dropbox and Box.net have had the home and business markets covered for cloud storage, with many other companies offering increasing amounts of storage at various costs. The integration with existing accounts make it easy to apply for, although it's not quite available for everyone just yet. Google Drive will work with GMail in a similar way to SkyDrive and Hotmail.
Here is Google's video, explaining more.
To access Google Drive, click here.
Until now Microsoft's SkyDrive, Dropbox and Box.net have had the home and business markets covered for cloud storage, with many other companies offering increasing amounts of storage at various costs. The integration with existing accounts make it easy to apply for, although it's not quite available for everyone just yet. Google Drive will work with GMail in a similar way to SkyDrive and Hotmail.
Here is Google's video, explaining more.
To access Google Drive, click here.
Friday, 3 February 2012
Apple AirPort Remote Access
Apple has released new versions of both their AirPort Utility (v.6.0.0) and their AirPort firmware (v.7.6.1). There are new features, dropped features and a iOS style UI update. The updates are available now.
The new version of the AirPort Utility breaks from a user interface that’s been used since the launch of the first Apple AirPort in 1999. The new look is almost identical to the iOS version of the AirPort Utility. Here's a quick look at the new UI:
The exciting new feature is Remote Access. By signing in to the AirPort Time Capsule, AirPort Extreme or AirPort Express with your iCloud credentials you will then be able to access your base station remotely. All you need is a Mac running OS X Lion, signed into the same iCloud account and the new AirPort Utility v.6. This connection over the internet is secured with SSH and allows you access through AirPort Utility to remotely manage the network. Apple stress that individual network set ups, such firewalls, may prevent the connection.
From over the internet you can also access files stored on a USB hard drive connected to either an AirPort Extreme or AirPort Time Capsule. The AirPort appears in the shared list in just the same way as when you are connected to the local network (either LAN or Wi-Fi), but you will be prompted for the disk password when you attempt to access it. In effect you have your very own cloud storage solution. FAT formatted disks are not supported and Apple advise against running Time Machine backups over the internet.
The new version of the AirPort Utility breaks from a user interface that’s been used since the launch of the first Apple AirPort in 1999. The new look is almost identical to the iOS version of the AirPort Utility. Here's a quick look at the new UI:
The exciting new feature is Remote Access. By signing in to the AirPort Time Capsule, AirPort Extreme or AirPort Express with your iCloud credentials you will then be able to access your base station remotely. All you need is a Mac running OS X Lion, signed into the same iCloud account and the new AirPort Utility v.6. This connection over the internet is secured with SSH and allows you access through AirPort Utility to remotely manage the network. Apple stress that individual network set ups, such firewalls, may prevent the connection.
From over the internet you can also access files stored on a USB hard drive connected to either an AirPort Extreme or AirPort Time Capsule. The AirPort appears in the shared list in just the same way as when you are connected to the local network (either LAN or Wi-Fi), but you will be prompted for the disk password when you attempt to access it. In effect you have your very own cloud storage solution. FAT formatted disks are not supported and Apple advise against running Time Machine backups over the internet.
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