File Sharing Round-up: The Only Ones You Need

By TechDune

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there are so many file sharing tools out there that sending large files as an email attachment became rather outdated.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!

Drop.io - Secure and Private File Sharing

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.

Adobe Share

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.

AllPeers- P2P File Sharing

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.

Pownce

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.

Divshare - Unlimited File Storage and Sharing

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.

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  • 11 Comments » Leave One...

    Comment by HeavyLight
    2008-01-10 16:53:33

    Am I reading it right that upgrading to “premium” Drop.io (1GB storage for a year and shorter urls) really only costs $10?

    That seems pretty cheap to me?
    Or will they limit the bandwidth?

    If correct, that seems like a very valuable utility.

     
    Comment by Yonatan Amir
    2008-01-10 16:54:04

    I use box.net, mainly because it has a nice netvibes widget.

     
    Comment by Adam
    2008-01-10 16:58:49

    I’m a fan of DivShare but have been experiencing download speed issues recently (less than 50 kbps). Anybody in the same boat?

    Also…. Mediafire anybody?

     
    2008-01-11 07:12:57

    I really like DivShare…also RapidShare and ADrive are good.
    Will check out Drop.io and the others you mentioned. Thanks!

     
    Comment by Nick
    2008-01-11 12:02:54

    I checked out file.io and what kills it for me is the fact it renames your files. I uploaded a file called “vista_mail_server_setup.pdf” and when I went to test the download if it, the filename was changed to iilakx330d.pdf.

    Yea this could be worked around by having everybody rename it when it downloads, but really thats too much hassle…

    Comment by Aibek
    2008-01-20 09:46:38
     
     
    2008-01-12 01:01:55

    [...] Via | Make Use Of [...]

     
    Comment by Syahid A.
    2008-01-14 22:10:11

    I vote for Drop.io. Insanely easy to use. The interface is geniusly created.

    Comment by Aibek
    2008-01-20 09:47:48

    I think it’s the best file storage tool i have seen.

     
     
    2008-02-10 14:00:13

    [...] MakeUseOf.com’s File Sharing Round-up: The Only Ones You need–MakeUseOf.com highlights five file sharing tools (Drop.io, Adobe Share, AllPeers, Pownce, and DivShare) that are evaluated in terms of features such as ease of upload/organize/access, anonymity, and browser integration. [...]

     
    2008-08-24 11:01:29

    [...] not familiar with the most popular online file-sharing services, I’d suggest you start here. Now, I’m only going to cover the services with desktop clients for Mac. Luckily, most are [...]

     
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