Online File Storage Services in Many Shapes and Sizes
If you’re not using an online file storage service yet you’re risking the chance of losing a lot of important data. We’ve put together a comparison of the top rated online storage services, with some explanations of what they offer, how much they cost and a quick overview of why they would be a good choice.
Carbonite
There’s a toss up between features when comparing online file storage services. While some companies (such as carbonite) position themselves as an online backup service, others are trying to appeal to a crowd who wishes to share files with others, and have access to these files from any computer connected the Internet.
Carbonite has done their best to cater to both types of users. Their online storage service does come with a nifty backup utility which you install on your PC or Mac (Carbonite is available for MAC users). This application allows you to choose which files and folders you want to keep backed up, and that’s it. Carbonite will take care of the rest.
Each time one of your files is changed a new version will be uploaded to their online file storage, the same goes for if a new file is added to a folder you’ve designated to keep backed up. That new file will be added to the set in the online storage service.
What about accessing those files?
Like I mentioned Carbonite has given us the best of both worlds. You can access any file you’ve backed up through the Carbonite preferences window on your computer or you can access them online through their remote access feature.
One downfall to Carbonite online file storage is there is no sharing feature to send a link to friends to download a file, photo, video etc.
How ever if you’re looking to store files for a backup purpose you can’t beat Carbonite.
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Box.net
Box.net picks up as an online storage service where Carbonite leaves off, how ever some of my favorite features in Carbonite aren’t available in Box.net.
Box is literally an online storage box you can put anything into on the web. You can offer different levels of access to other people so you can easily share files. Also Box.net positions their online file storage services as a perfect solution for small businesses who need to share documents on projects or offer multiple people access to an array of files.
Box.net is as simple as it can get, you upload files, they’re stored there until you need them, and you can share or access those files from any computer that has an Internet connection. There is no additional software installed for their online storage services.
The one thing I like about Carbonite that Box.net doesn’t offer is the automatic set and forget backup of important files and folders.
For an individual user (business or personal) I’d opt to take the Carbonite approach and depend on their software to keep current versions of all my files, photos, and videos uploaded and accessible if I need them.
Mozy
It’s just my opinion but I feel Mozy is falling behind Carbonite in the race for the best online file storage service. They offer a similar software to maintain your backup, they also have a 2GB free account that you can sign up for and use to your hearts content (they know that 2GB really isn’t that much space for online file storage).
Where I feel they’re lacking is in their online file accessibility.
You can login on the Mozy website and restore files directly from their web interface. How ever the process is cumbersome and time consuming. Where as with Carbonite you can navigate to the file you want in their remote access and open it right from the online location.
I’d go for Carbonite over Mozy for an online storage service, at least until they improve their online file access.