Free Online File Storage Services
Free online file storage is something we feel quite excited about. Think about it: you can backup all your documents to a secure online hosting location, and then access these from any computer with an Internet connection. The benefit obviously being that you no longer need to carry around a USB disk (or run the risk of losing such a device). Web storage services, for the most part, are secure, allow you to backup various types of files (not just documents), and may even allow you to create a personal online "space" to share files with friends and family. In addition, creating an online backup of your work along with a physical backup (i.e. on a CD) would ensure an extra degree of protection.
Humyo
A neat free online storage service, offering 10GB of free Web space. humyo.com allows you to store and backup your files online, which means any files you upload are accessible from any computer with an Internet connection. What's more, you can synchronise the files, so changes you make on one computer are replicated on another. Ditch the USB drive, use this instead!
Dropbox
This service could be invaluable if you work on multiple computers or transport files using portable disk drives. Dropbox enables you to share, store, and synchronise files automatically over the Web, so you'll be working with the most recent copy regardless of your location. You can make individual files or entire folders "public", which can then be accessed via a simple Web address (ideal for sending images to friends). They provide 2GB of storage space as standard.
> We have been most impressed with Dropbox, in particular their uplink feature from desktop to the online storage area. The Dropbox software installs a virtual folder on your hard disk drive, which is also accessible via an icon in the system task tray. To upload a file to your virtual space, simply drag and drop files into the Dropbox folder. Simple!
> Dropbox is free for users of Windows, Mac and Linux operating systems.
MozyHome
A free file storage service (for home users only), offering 2GB Web space, so you can upload your files online and access them from anywhere. It is secure, easy-to-use and beats carrying around a USB disk (which could easily become lost). Alternatively, you could use it as a fail-safe backup utility.
Boxstr
A popular free file storage site with over 2 million users, offering 5GB hosting space for your documents, images, songs, videos and other files. This service is ideal for making backups of your work, or for using as an alternative to portable USB drives. Registering for a free account takes a matter of minutes.
SendThisFile
We all know what can happen when a large file is sent via e-mail: the recipient often complains their mailbox has become jammed, or messages can download particularly slowly. Thankfully, SendThisFile has the solution. The free service allows you to send large files to anyone with an e-mail address. Rather than sending the file directly, SendThisFile acts as the middleman, storing the file remotely. The recipient can then access the required file via a link. It's easy and it's fast.
> Add the "SendThisFile FileBox" (a snippet of HTML) into your site's pages and visitors can send files directly to you from your own Web site.
Store & Serve
This free, easy-to-use file hosting service allows users to store and share a variety of files, including documents, videos, audio clips and images. Store & Serve also provides a neat hyperlinking feature, so any stored files can be posted on sites like Myspace, or on message boards and blogs. The maximum file upload size on their free registration account is 250MB. If you choose not to register, there is a 100MB file size limit. This is an advertisement-supported service.
steekR
A secure online file storage service offering 1GB of Web space free of charge. steekR is ideal if you prefer to store files online, rather than have the hassle of lugging a mobile disk from location to location. The service also includes a number of options to share files with friends. They provide a user-friendly software client for Windows or Mac, which allows users to upload files directly from the desktop.
myBloop
A popular free file hosting and sharing Web site, allowing users to store an infinite number of files (and there are no limits on file sizes either). Registering is easy, after which a profile page is set up, allowing easy access to your shared files. Adding friends on this service is also very straight-forward and makes sharing files and other documents with friends, colleagues or family a piece of cake.
Driveway
Register for Driveway and have the power to access your files online (or "in the cloud", as many people say). The service offers 2GB space and is a neat and easy way to store and share files. Two "add-ons" are available: a plug-in that links your computer desktop to the service, and a Web Widget, which embeds into any blog or Web site.
ADrive.com
A highly popular free file hosting service, offering 50GB storage space as standard on their "Basic" (free) account, which is intended for personal use only. The service supports folder and directory upload, allowing you to easily transfer your files and organise them as you see fit. Searching for files is also particularly easy, and you can even set up shared folders for family or friends.
File Qube
This easy, secure and feature-rich online storage service allows you to store up to 2GB of remotely accessible files (ideal if you need access to your documents when working at different computer workstations). Organising your files is easy thanks to the unique tagging system, and "shared web folders" can be created which allow others to upload to your online space.
Box.net
How many times have you wanted to access a particular file when you're out the office? Box.net is an online file storage solution, offering 1GB storage space in their "free" package (although they also offer commercial packages with additional storage space). With Box.net, it's easy to upload all kinds of files, organise them into folders, and if you like, share them with friends.