Geeks need to shoot files over to someone all the time – video clips, movies, pictures, games distros, software programs etc. Most of the email providers restict you with a max. 10-20 MB attachments so sending files by email isn’t an option. Additionally, there are so many file sharing tools out there that sending large files as an email attachment became rather outdated.

Here you’ll find 5 file sharing services that standout from the rest and incorporate some unique features in one online application. These can be: extremely easy upload/organize/access features, anonymity, browser integration, etc.

(1) Drop.io – Anonymous and Private File Sharing

Drop.io is a terrific private file sharing and collaboration service. It is a great way to share video, photos, audio, docs etc. What would make your hearts burst with joy is the no-registration aspect. No email, no personal details or names – nothing! You are free to create as many drops (as they call it) as you want. Then, just shoot a link over to your pal and that’s it!

Additional Features

• Supports all major file formats (docs, images, videos, music, etc.).
• Create as many drops as you want (storage boxes).
• Get a custom email address for each created drop: drop_name@drop.io.
• Use drop_name@drop.io email address to add files to drops by emailing them.
• It has a 100MB / drop storage limit.

For full feature list and video demo see: Drop.io : Private File Sharing and Collaboration

(2) Adobe Share – Document Storage and Sharing

Online document storage and sharing service from Adobe. It’s pretty and simple. After you register, they provide you 1GB worth of online storage space for your documents. The service allows you to share documents either with a list of named contacts or with everyone on the web. All you need to have is an Adobe ID, which you can get here.

Additional Features

• View all the documents you have shared or received in one place.
• Access your documents from any system.
• Post a link to (or embed) your document on a blog or wiki.
• Send documents without email attachments.
• Supported document formats: Microsoft Office 2003 and 2007, RTF, Open Office formats, PDF, image files, SWF, and more.

If looks don’t really matter and you need something with a lot more features (document viewing, editing, collaboration, etc.) then check out Google Docs.

(3) AllPeers – Sharing Files Straight from the Browser

AllPeers is cross-platform (Win, Mac, Linux) Firefox extension that lets you easily share files and webpages with friends right from the browser sidebar. It’s a feature-rich file sharing software that is fully-integrated with your Firefox browser. If you share files on a regular basis with lots of different people then definitely check AllPeers out. Check out demo video here.

You can also drop by PipeBytes, it also works from the browser but way more simpler. Nothing to install or download, you simply select the file you want to transfer, get a pick-up code and send it over to recipient for pick-up.

(4) Pownce – Quick Mid-sized File Sharing

Awesome tool to send messages, share mid-sized files (up to 10 MB) and links, plan upcoming events and more. Only the people you choose get to see what you send. It can be accessed from the web or via desktop client. The free account has some file-size limitations – upto 10 MB in size, Premium gives you 100 MB file-size, ad-riddance, and a wider variety of themes.

Additional Features

• Access Pownce directly from your desktop using desktop clients (Windows, Mac, will be available for Linux soon)
• Note: To create an account you need to get invited by existing member. To get invite go to InviteShare.

(5) DivShare – Unlimited File Sharing for Heavy Users

Another widely popular online file storage and sharing service. No storage limits. No download limits. Your files stay online forever. Integrate DivShare into WordPress, Facebook and even your iPhone! Blogs can quickly and easily add their name, URL and logo to their hosted file pages via the dashboard.

Additional Features

• Create and share professional slideshows using your video, audio, and image files.
• Embed videos on your blog using Divshare video flayer.
• All files stay online as long as you want.

Got another good file sharing application? Share it in comments.

Vista Start Menu

Vista Start Menu turns XP’s Start menu into one like on Vista. Not only do you get a better look but also many new features that are normally not there. These include: resizable start menu, zoom in/out, program launcher, desktop search, power buttons, tabs, and more. Another noteworthy aspect, Vista Start Menu does not change your system settings, thus making it easy to install, as well as simple to remove.

Vista Transformation Pack 7

VTP changes XP’s interface, including the Start menu, the Control Panel, system dialogs, icons, and more, to Vista style. Also includes a transparency function to mimic Vista’s Aero Glass functionality. It’s probably the most comprehensive package out of all, so be very careful with it. While I haven’t experienced any problems some folks reported difficulties in uninstalling it (see comments here). Here are some of the notable changes that will be made to your system.

[Update: Version 8 was released yesterday (Nov 28). It's seems to be better and much more stable. Read more here]

• Boot screen / Welcome Screen / Logon Screen.
• New desktop, file and toolbar icons.
• Progress Dialogs.
• New System Tray icons.
• New Sounds scheme.
• New interface visual styles.
• Windows Media Player Skins.

RocketDock

RocketDock is a portable, memory-friendly, smoothly animated, alpha blended application launcher that sits on your screen. It provides a nice clean interface to drop shortcuts on for easy access and organization. Some features that are worth looking at include: Minimize active windows to the dock, drag-n-drop interface, Dual-monitor support, Auto-hide and Popup on mouse over, and Running application indicators. Check it out in action in the video below

VistaMizer

VistaMizer modifies about 400 of your system files, and when you reboot your system after installation you won’t remember how your old desktop looked like. It’s highly customizable and changes lots of stuff. What’s really good about is that it will keep backup of all the changes (so that you can easily revert it) and won’t replace/overwrite anything that would risk destabilizing your system.

WindowBlinds

WindowsBlinds is not a program specifically designed to Vistalize your system. It’s more a tool for applying different visual theme on your entire current Windows environment: changing overall look and feel, title bars, push buttons, start bar, start menu and more. Similar to the above RocketDock, it claims to be memory-friendly, so it shouldn’t slow down your system. Once installed, you can either apply one of the default visual themes or download one from the WindowsBlinds gallery (over 1000 themes). WindowsBlinds comes both in a free and paid version. Although the free version lacks some of the additional features it still does the job.

Share you thoughts in comments!