I want to be able once a week to transfer about 500MB worth of files from my computer to my girlfriend’s computer (different houses). Both have WindowsXP, high-speed internet (cable modem), firewall routers, and ZoneAlarm.
I was looking over these file hosting services and thinking they might be just the trick.
Any advice or recommendations?
Use an external hard drive.
Second the external hard drive idea. Simplest and fastest by far.
I have not tried it so not sure it will do the trick but the Opera browser has introduced Opera Unite. Essentially this lets you share files as if you were on a network…I think.
Might be worth a look as I think it could suffice for your purposes (although you’d need to leave your computer on then go to your GFs house and download from there).
A flash drive should cover it. If you want to go with hosting I recommend Dropbox.
You could also try looking into using FTP programs to file transfer from one computer to the other without needing a file hosting service. Setting up a VPN (Virtual Private Network) between the two computers might also work, but I wouldn’t try it without doing a little bit of research and making sure your VPN host/client setup is secure.
Here’s an article from PC World.
The gimick I’ve seen these sites use is that they want you to buy more space, than they give for free or they restrict the upload and download times, unless you buy premium. So for instance, you may get 1mbs download if you’re premium but only get 500kbs if you’re free user.
Buy.Com has lots of external drives at good prices. I use Fantom Green Drive (It uses Western Digital) and so far <knock wood> it’s great. I paid 99.00 for mine and it’s a terabyte of space.
An external SATA (eSATA) port makes it almost as fast as an internal drive, but you can use a USB port as well if you don’t have an eSATA port. (You can add one for about $5.00).
So far the flash drive is the best competing idea, and it’s excellent. Thanks!