Sharing Files and Collaborating Across Computers

Do you need to share large files across computers? Say for example, you have Power Point files that are too large to send through your work email. You want to get to them from home and from work. Or you are collaborating with someone who lives far away and you want to share and work on the files with them. Sending drafts back and forth can get pretty confusing when you are doing it through email.

There are several web based applications that allow you to share files across computers through the web without having to save them to a flash drive or on a CD. I've looked at two such applications - Dropbox.com and Box.net. Here is what I found so far:

1. Dropbox.com

Install a Dropbox folder to your computer and you can just drag and drop files into it and they will automatically be uploaded to the Dropbox server.
You can also use the web-based Dropbox without downloading anything. Just go to the website, create an account and start uploading files.
You get 2GB of space for free and can pay to upgrade.

Dropbox keeps the history of all changes made and allows you to restore deleted files or delete completely.

Dropbox uses SSL encryption. You will see that their URL reads https instead of http. This is what banks use to transmit data.

There is also an iPhone app. for retrieving the files and it can be accessed via other mobile devices.

One drawback is that you can only create links to individual files from your public folder. You can send a link to a file and the receiver can access that file by clicking on the link. However, you can't create a link to a folder full of content, as you can with Box.net. This means that when you want someone to see the contents of your folder, they have to sign up for Dropbox. This creates a slight obstacle to sharing content.

2. Box.net

You can create links to both files and folders. This allows you to share the content without requiring the receiver to join Box.net. All they have to do is click on the link and the file or a folder with multiple files will be visible to them.

It's all web based, so all uploading and downloading is done through a web interface.

You get 1GB of free space and can pay to upgrade.

The free version has a file size limit of 25 MB, which means if your file is over 25MB you're out of luck.

If you want others to upload and edit files in your folder, they have to join Box.net as well (as with Dropbox).

You can email files and folders directly from Box.net.

You can add comments and tags to your files for easy searching later.

You can also save bookmarks to webpages.
It allows you to create an online document with word processing and formatting abilities that can be shared via a link, sort of like a web page.

There is capability to create discussion areas.
Files are accessible through various mobile devices.

Encrypted storage and transfer comes with a paid subscription only. The free version is still secured with passwords.

One drawback is that there does not seem to be a history area where changes are tracked. Also the 1GB limit together with 25MB file size limit for the free version, is more restrictive than Dropbox.

In comparing the two free versions - they both have their own advantages. Dropbox gives you more space, security and history of actions. Box.net allows more content annotation, discussion and sharing, but is limited in size and security options. Depending on your needs, they are both worth exploring further.

Macs and podcasting

I've had several people ask me about Macs and podcasting. Since we don't have Macs on campus, I am a little out of touch on the subject but I do have an older Powerbook at home and even my 5+ yr. old Mac makes podcasting very easy. I use Garage Band and iMovie, which are very simple and user friendly for editing audio and video. I am sure that the software on newer Macs is a lot more advanced and even better.

One SMU faculty recommends Lynda.com for training videos. Here is one on how to use Garage Band and one on iMovie.

Flip cameras seem really easy to use with Macs since the file format is already Mp4, which means that you can edit audio and video without any extra plug-ins or converters. They connect with a USB plug that flips right out of the camera. No wires! They also come with internal memory (up to 120min of recording), so you don't have to worry about memory cards or tapes. And even though the cameras are pretty small, they also come with a tripod mount, in case you are not going for the hand held look.

Made with web sharing in mind, Flip cameras allow direct uploading to YouTube, Facebook and MySpace. So the video is optimized for the web and for social networking sites.

My concern would be quality of the video if you wanted it for something other than web sharing. The lens is pretty small and there is only so much a small lens can capture, especially at a distance. 2x digital zoom is kind of a joke. Also, if you plan to travel with it, you'll have to figure out how to clear up memory space when you run out of your 120 minute limit. If you have access to a computer once in a while, you can load your videos onto YouTube or some other free server and delete them from the camera.