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Personal cloud storage
- 1. Personal Cloud Storage Comparingbrands, space, costs, ease of access, and ease of collaboration
- 2. What Is PersonalCloud Storage? • An Internet-based service that stores files for you, and allows you to manage them • An Internet-based offsite-backup service for individuals as well as small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) • Software that allows you to access storage on your home network through the Internet • A tool that allows you to share files with others, and allows you to collaborate without the overhead of a Sharepoint or similar enterprise service • A tool that allows you to share files between your computer, your phone, your tablet, and other Internet-connected devices
- 3. Why Personal CloudStorage? • Sometimes you need to get to a document when you’re away from home • Ease of collaboration with a remote partner • File sharing with greater ease than FTP and more security than a basic (http) Web directory • Offsite file backup against possible hard drive (or home backup) failure (some services) • File security for sensitive data (may require business-level service)
- 4. Features of PersonalCloud Storage • Persistent access to files • Backup tool • Offsite backup solution • File restoration and data recovery (depending on storage solution, often for an additional fee) • Collaboration tool • Variable access levels (read, read/write, read/write/add/delete) depending on solution • File synchronization (this can be a good thing or a bad thing) The specific set of features and services will vary from provider to provider, and sometimes from payment level to payment level
- 5. Limitations of PersonalCloud Storage • You pay for what you get • Free versions offer limited storage space and features • Your files are only as secure as the service and the methods you use to access it (This may a good reason not to use your Web storage space for file-sharing) • Data recovery/ file restoration is usually an add-on feature which must be subscribed to before you need it • Free and add-on features (backup, file synchronization, etc) vary from service to service
- 6. *Some cloud storagespace is free courtesy of owning a supported device or subscribing to another service (e.g., iCloud Drive for iPhone users, Google Drive for Google account holders). Larger amounts of storage may also come as part of other subscriptions (e.g., up to 5 Tb storage on OneDrive for Microsoft Office 365 subscribers) or earned through referrals Cost of Cloud Storage • Amazon Drive • Box • Carbonite • Dropbox • Google Drive Service Free Space Subscription rate Additional space Amazon Drive 5 Gb + UL photos $11.99 & up/yr 100 Gb to 30 Tb Box 10 Gb $5 & up/month 100 Gb & up Carbonite --- $59.99 & up/yr 250 Gb & up Dropbox 5.25 Gb* $8.25 & up/month 1 Tb & up Google Drive 15 Gb* $19.99 & up/yr 100 Gb & up
- 7. Cost of CloudStorage (II) • iCloud Drive (Apple) • iDrive • My Cloud (Western Digital) • OneDrive (Microsoft) • Verizon Cloud Service Free Space Subscription rate Additional space iCloud Drive 5 Gb* $0.99 & up/month 50 Gb up to 2 Tb iDrive 5 Gb $69.50 & up/yr 250 Gb up to 12.5 Tb My Cloud 5 Gb? --- Secure access to home NAS OneDrive 5 Gb to 5 Tb* $2 / month 50 Gb Verizon Cloud 5 Gb* $5.00 & up/month 500 Gb or 1 Tb *Some cloud storage space is free courtesy of owning a supported device or subscribing to another service (e.g., iCloud Drive for iPhone users, Google Drive for Google account holders). Larger amounts of storage may also come as part of other subscriptions (e.g., up to 5 Tb storage on OneDrive for Microsoft Office 365 subscribers) or earned through referrals
- 8. Amazon Drive - Features AmazonDrive is your default storage space for Amazon- purchased music; you also get file storage space up to a total of 5 Gb. Amazon Prime members also get unlimited photo storage space.
- 9. Box - Features Box providestools and platforms for content management, collaboration, security, etc. Apps are available for iOS and Android platforms, for personal and business users.
- 10. Carbonite - Features Carbonite isprimarily a backup and data recovery service. Apps are available for iOS and Android platforms.
- 11. Dropbox - Features Dropbox providestools and platforms for content management, collaboration, security, etc. Additional uses per Lifehacker Apps are available for iOS, Android, Kindle Fire, and Blackberry platforms.
- 12. Google Drive - Features Ifyou have a Gmail account you have Google Drive; part of your Drive space holds your email messages. On its own, Drive allows you to manage your files by type and in folders, share files or folders, and access your files from any compatible device. Google Drive supports add- ons Apps are available for iOS and Android platforms.
- 13. iCloud Drive - Features iCloudis Apple’s solution for maintaining contacts, files, and media across iPhones, iPads, and Macs. iCloud Drive is its associated file management solution, including content management, file sharing, and collaboration via iWork applications. iCloud apps are available for Windows, iOS, and Android platforms.
- 14. iDrive - Features Like Carbonite,iDrive is primarily a backup and recovery solution. Tools include point-in-time recovery and file synchronization. Apps are available for iOS and Android platforms.
- 15. MyCloud - Features MyCloud isWestern Digital’s service that allows computers and mobile devices to access your home network’s MyCloud and MyBook NAS (Network Attached Storage) drives regardless of where you are. Apps are available for iOS and Android platforms.
- 16. OneDrive - Features OneDrive isa file management tool which directly integrates into Windows Explorer and Microsoft Office applications. It includes tools for file synchronization and for content management, collaboration, and security. Apps are available for Windows Mobile, MacOS, iOS, and Android platforms.
- 17. Verizon Cloud - Features Verizon Cloudis a contact backup service with additional space for media (photos, videos, documents) backup. Apps are available for iOS and Android platforms.
- 18. Cloud Drive File Managers • Appsthat allow you to access all (or most) of your cloud storage from a single location • Most support the major players (Google, Box, DropBox, OneDrive, iCloud Drive); some support Asia-based providers as well • Find these utilities by searching for “cloud manager” on your device’s authorized store • Note that some of these apps have not been updated in years; others will not work under current security settings; still others only work if you’ve paid (or are paying) the developer Examples: • Wi-Fi HD (iOS) • iTransfer Pro (iOS) • File Brick (Windows desktop) • Unclouded (Android) Because many of our apps and devices default to different Cloud Storage options, it can be helpful to manage them all in a single view.
- 19. How I use Personal CloudStorage Dropbox • Used in the past to share NYC Marathon and Tour de Cure photos Google • Photo sync with my phone • Storage area for historical ACGNJ documents (link shared with Board of Directors) • Default download for Gmail attachments, some items signed into with Google ID • Easiest place for me to share media with Frank One Drive • My main OTG file access for things I’m working on (usable on phone, iPad, Android tablet, Windows tablet) • Parking area for images used in PowerPoint presentations Personal Web Space • Used to hold files for the presentations listed on my ACGNJ and TCF pages • Since I’m running out of space, I’ve begun posting presentations to LinkedIn’s SlideShare service
- 20. Online Comparisons • iDrive betterthan Carbonite? https://www.idrive.com/carbonite • CNET: OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive: Which Cloud Storage Service is Right For You? • The Guardian: What can I do when my 25GB of OneDrive cloud storage is cut to 5GB? Discusses both the cost of storage and issues moving files from one cloud to another • 1 more Tech Blog: Top 10 Best Free Cloud Storage Services includes some lesser-known providers. The post is old: some providers have closed (or started charging); others are insecure. Check the comments before signing up for anything. • Lifehacker: File Syncing Showdown: Google Drive vs. Dropbox vs. OneDrive • Alphr: The Best Cloud Storage Service of 2017 Some well-known technology sites compare two or more of these solutions
- 21. Links to Cloud Storage Services • AmazonDrive: https://www.amazon.com/b/?_encoding=UTF8&node=155 47130011&ref_=cd_lg_sn_in • Box: https://www.box.com/ (Features from menu on main page, business plan comparison page) • Box Developer Site: https://developer.box.com/ • Carbonite: https://www.carbonite.com/ (Backup and data recovery only) • DropBox: https://www.dropbox.com • Google Drive: https://drive.google.com • iCloud Drive: https://www.apple.com/icloud/icloud-drive/ • iDrive: https://www.idrive.com • Verizon Cloud: https://www.verizonwireless.com/solutions-and- services/verizon-cloud/
- 22. Links to Cloud Storage Services • ADrive:http://www.adrive.com/plans File transfer, file sharing, file recovery. Plans start at $25/yr for 100 Gb • Baidu: https://pan.baidu.com/ Chinese search engine, reputedly offers 2 Tb free space • Mega: https://mega.nz/ From the once-popular megaupload.com, provides 50 Gb free storage, live encrypted backup, and public source code. Plans start at €4.99/mo for 100 Gb • Qihoo 360: https://eyun.360.cn/vip/product/ Once offered 36 Tb free space. Now starts at 99 yuan/yr for 100 Gb. Includes collaboration, file synchronization, backup. • SpiderOak: https://spideroak.com/ Looks like this is more about personal backup, and end-to-end security in an SMB environment. Personal plans start at $59/yr for 100 Gb. Based in Kansas City, MO • Weiyun: a Tencent Cloud (Chinese) service. Once offered 10 Tb to QQ members http://reg.imqq.com/ (QQ signup page is non-secure). These lesser-known players have large amounts of free storage, or specialized services. Check their security, costs, and connections before signing up