Best free file sharing
New free file sharing site offers free faxing
This new online file sharing service extends the concept of sharing files to include email, phone messages and even sending and receiving faxes, though the latter is currently USA only. No registration is required and it's totally free. A lot to like here. Thanks to subscriber L.S.D. for the suggestion.
http://drop.io/
Another way to share files with friends
Web services like FolderShare are an attractive option for sharing and transferring files and photos between family and friends, but sometimes you want more flexibility and better performance than these services offer.
P2P sharing and IMS are other viable options, but many users are wary of these services because of perceived security risks.
But there is another option.
Running your own web server certainly gives you complete flexibility and, with a fast internet connection, sizzling performance. However, setting up a web server is normally a task beyond the capabilities of the average user. Until now, that is.
HFS HTTP File Server [1] is an extraordinary application. It allows you to set up your own web server just by clicking the HFS program. There is no installation; it runs directly from the tiny 551KB .exe file.
Setup is equally simple; there is none.
Usage simply involves dropping and dragging any files you want to share into the HFS window.
To share your files just give your friends the address of your webpage that appears at the top of the HFS window. When they enter this in their browser they can see and download the files you have chosen to share. They can't see or access any of your other files.
If you wish, you can set access permission for specific files or can enable access only from visitors with specific IPs. It's all under your control.
So what's the downside?
If your PC is behind a router you may need to set up port forwarding. That's not difficult - just consult your router manual.
Ideally, you need a fixed IP address from your ISP, but HFS HTTP File Server will still work with a dynamically allocated IP, it's just less convenient.
Finally, there are potential security issues. I know some people have HFS HTTP File Server running all the time. Some even use it for their own personal website [2].
This may be fine, but personally I think you should only have a personal web server like this running when you need it. That's the safest option. More HFS security tips here [3]
Those reservations aside, HFS HTTP File Server is a most impressive product. Hey, how could a fully functioning web server that's only 551KB and runs from a USB stick without configuration be anything else.
This product was suggested by Peter Herbert, one of the volunteer category editors from the new freeware wiki site
HFS HTTP File Server: Freeware, Windows 98-2003, 551KB
[1] http://www.rejetto.com/
[2] http://www.myistop.com/blogs/mail4kaja/host-your-site-home-pc
[3] http://www.rejetto.com/wiki/index.php?title=HFS:_Secure_your_server
FolderShare reborn
FolderShare is a free web service that allows you to automatically synchronize and/or share files in a given folder across multiple computers. It also allows you access to these files from any computer. It was a great service until Microsoft acquired the company a couple of years ago and since then it has slowly faded while other similar services have moved forward. Now Microsoft has finally unveiled an updated version of the product plus a new website. Thanks to subscriber Adriel Luo for the letting me know.
https://www.foldershare.com/welcome.aspx
Free alternatives to expensive software
I've mentioned this site [1] before that lists Open Source alternatives to popular commercial programs, but here's another site [2], suggested by subscriber Yoel Polsky, that does the same thing a different way. A most useful resource.
[1] http://whdb.com/2008/the-top-50-proprietary-programs-that-drive-you-crazy-and-their-open-source-alternatives/
[2] http://www.osalt.com/
What extension is that?
You know the story; someone sends you a file with a strange extension like .MOD and you can't open it. At this free site they will tell you what kind of file it is and, hopefully, what program you need to open it. There are several sites like this, including some that are more comprehensive in their coverage, but what I liked about this one is that it covers files from Mac and Linux as well as Windows, and has provision for user comments, some of which are more informative than the site information itself.
http://www.dotwhat.net
How to send large email files from your own PC
Regular contributor Leib Moscovitz recently wrote, "Gizmo I've recently been using a really terrific program for sending large files, called Pando [1]. It's very easy to use and extremely fast, in fact I clocked it against YouSendIt [2] and it was something like 25% faster, not to mention the fact that it works quietly in the background without forcing you to stay on the web page you're currently using, as YouSendIt does. The program is officially only in closed beta although you can download it directly from Softpedia [3] without having to contact Pando directly." Thanks Leib for another great find. Pando works by setting up a server on your PC that allows you to send and receive large files without the size limitations of your email program. Nothing new here but what is new is the slick and hassle-free way Pando does it. To send someone a large file, you just click the Pando tray icon, enter the recipient's email address, drag and drop the files (or folders) you want to send into Pando and then hit "send". This initiates a file transfer to Pando's servers. The recipient will then automatically receive an email telling them about the files you have just sent along with instructions how they can retrieve them. Recipients not using Pando are instructed to download the Pando program and install it. Pando users simply have to click a link to start the download. I tried it with a couple of my friends and it worked flawlessly and fast. I particularly liked the way a recipient can start downloading before the uploading is complete; a real time saver for very large files. On the downside there is little integration with email clients, it requires both the sender and user to be using Pando and files only remain on the server for 14 days. I also wonder about the security risk of having a server running on your PC. Those reservations aside, it's a great solution to a common problem. Free beta, Windows 2000 and later or OS X V10+, 2MB.
[1] http://www.pando.com
[2] http://www.yousendit.com
[3] http://www.softpedia.com/get/Internet/E-mail/E-mail-Clients/Pando.shtml