I have a need for the occasional large file transfer. Is there a decent free service that would allow someone in another city to EASILY send me a large file? The sender will not necessarily be technically savvy except for simple use of a web browser.
How much time do you have to make the transfer. If ther person isn’t too great with computers, it might be easiest to get a jump drive and just (snail) mail it to the other person.
Free (up to 1GB) and easy as hell… can send larger files for a fee.
Mac and PC compatible. I use it all the time, works like a charm.
If it’s the same person sending every time, instant messaging clients are pretty good at this. Windows Live Messenger (AKA MSN Messenger), for example (if you’re running Windows…)
To expand on what filmyak said, there are several services that offer the same thing (each with different caveats)… Here’s a list: http://www.email-unlimited.com/stuff/send-huge-files.htm
Be aware that upload speeds for most ISPs are generally much slower than download speeds. Depending on how large the file is, and how fast your internet connection is, Joey P could be right. You might consider using the Sneakernet.
I said to myself, “Huh? I’ve never heard of Sneakernet.” I clicked the link, and just as the page was loading it dawned on me.
:smack: I’m an idiot.
:rolleyes:
Even better: www.mailbigfile.com. No registration, though it only goes up to 100 Meg.
I transfer large (~200MB) files all the time. I upload to a web site via FTP, then send the URL to the recipient, who can download with any browser.
My ISP allows 300GB online storage for $8/month, which is almost free.
Open a Gmail account. You can attach up to 20 Mb (file +message) Create a message, give it a tittle ()Big file 1) and attach file.
click save.
Email or call the other person and tell them to log onto that g mail account (obviously you have to give them the log in info)
They download file, life is good.
Never underestimate the bandwidth of an RV full of magtapes* speeding down the highway.
*(Or, in this era, an SUV full of hard drives and DVD-Rs.)
I use drop.io to transfer files. instant setup, free and easy to use. as usual uploads are slow but downs quick. check it out.
The upload:download ratio may be a function of your ISP. My cable company has several tiers of speed for different charges, but all are in the ratio of 10:1, down:up. Example: 5Mb/sec down, 512Kb/sec up.
The excuse given for this asymmetry is that a typical browser user sends a very small data request and the server responds with a flood of data in the form of web pages, sound or video. The average user supposedly doesn’t need speed in the upload direction.
I believe that this discrepancy was also, at least in the early days of broadband internet, to discourage people from using their home connection and home computer as a server.
Another host that allows large (up to 100Mb) file hosting for free is Mediafire.
If your file is larger than 100Mb, you can split it into 100Mb chunks using WinRAR
This looks like a winner for me.
Thanks to everyone.