There are many web services these days for online storage and file/folder sharing. Most are free for the first few gigs of data, after which they start charging a monthly fee.
The one that is the best, and more importantly, most intuitive for non-geeks is, by far, Dropbox. What sets it apart from the rest is :
- Cross Platform – works on Windows, Linux, Mac (?)
- Seamless – integrates into the file explorer on the OS (Windows Explorer, Nautilus) without any user configuration required. Just creates a folder called “My Dropbox”, and indicates using icons whether the particular folder/file within the dropbox is synced or not
- Version Control !! – Quietly manages revisions of the same file, so that older versions of a file are also available
- Access Control !! – Share folders with specific people by inviting them. Share folders/files with the world by putting them in a folder marked “public” – simple ! Also, create a URL using a right-click on the file/folder icon in the explorer itself – and share the link directly.
- Browse using multiple computers, or without installing the app using a browser. The UI in the browser is also very simple, intuitive and functional.
- 2 GB free, more than that requires upgrade
Some other file syncing services which came before dropbox, but which pale in comparison to Dropbox :
- SpiderOak (Yeah, Wierd Name). Good, but not good enough. One of the earlier ones
- Microsoft Live Mesh – Decent, also offers 5 GB. Does not support Linux through an app though.
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