The Personal Cloud storage solution features secure online file storage, file sharing and in many cases some advanced collaboration, content tagging and true anytime, anywhere access from a variety of access clients. Some offer only basic web access, some offer other protocols such as SSL, ftp, Web DAV, while other include integration with the OS file manager.
What I was looking for was a solution that is basically free, or offers a free quota to start with, and can expand to bigger quota and SLA solution, which is usually charged. The services I chose to use were the ones close to the services I was already using.
- Google Documents - using my Google account
- Windows Live Skydrive - using my MSN account
- Ubuntu One - embedded with my Ubuntu laptop
- Dropbox - just because it syncs on all platforms
- Adrive - just cause they were the first who offered 50GB for free
| Service | Free Quota | Access | Search | Upgrades | Features |
| Google Docs | 1 GB | Web | Yes | 20GB - $5/y 80GB - $20/y | Read More |
| Skydrive | 25 GB | Web | No | Read More | |
| Ubuntu One | 2 GB | Web Ubuntu Nautilus | No | 50GB - $9.99/m | Read More |
| Dropbox | 2 GB | Web Windows Explorer Ubuntu nautilus | Yes | 50GB - $10/m | Read More |
| Adrive | 50 GB | Web Web DAV FTP Native Client | Yes | 50GB - $6.95/m | Read More |
I must confess that I am using all of these services by now. but it makes it very difficult to keep track of what I put where. So I decided to use the services according to the types of content I store on them.
My favorite service is Google Docs as it allows indexing of most of the content you place there, which is very easy to search and tag. so I keep most of my Documents, Presentations, and PDF files there. For such working documents I don't need more than the 1GB offered for free. maybe one day when Google Gdrive comes out it will be more attractive.
Image 1: Google Documents
The Adrive is my archiving platform, where I keep my photos and videos which don't really need indexing. Documents and other files that I finished working on I archive there too. and what can I say the 50GB quota is a bliss.
Image 2: Adrive
For that same purpose you may use Skydrive if 25GB is enough for you. it is more convenient as you probably already own a Live account and the offer Sync to your desktop with Windows Live Sync.
Image 3: Windows Live Skydrive
Both Dropbox and Ubuntu one, are integrated with my file manager so it is very easy to use them, and you can search them using your operating systems search capabilities, which is nice BUT, you cannot search them from the web, which is something I really like as I am not always using my devices.
Image 4: Ubuntu One
Another great feature of both these services is that the sync the local folder with the folders in the cloud storage.
Another great feature of both these services is that the sync the local folder with the folders in the cloud storage.
Image 5: Dropbox
Very important Note: Since what I reviewed here are free of charge services, you cannot really expect any service level agreement (SLA) from the provider. therefor, I would highly recommend not to store any private material, such as personal records, credit or any personal data that might leak, furthermore, I would recommend that you keep an On-premise copy (on a DVD or Local Drive) of the important stuff you keep in the cloud, just in case someone decides to retire the service he is currently offering, such as Yahoo! did with their Briefcase service.
To summaries, I cannot tell you which one is best, only you can decide for your own. I hope I gave you some insight about the services and what they offer, and that might help you select your favorite.
-N.J.
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