Large File Transfer Blog

Yet more fame! Now it's about FTP replacement...

Juan Rojas — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 23:20:00 GMT

That's right, folks - we've done it again!

Your humble author of this large file transfer blog has had another article accepted by ezinearticles.com - the Internet's leading article directory!

In this article ("Large File Transfer - Why Bother With FTP?") I tackle the subject of sending big files via FTP - the outdated technology we all know and love (or, y'know, dislike intently - guess which one I am?).

The article looks at the age of the protocol, as well as security and usability issues. I'm no Mark Twain, but I think it's both readable and informative, and (here I confess to bias) worth taking a look at.

Just follow the link to the article on (basically) FTP replacement. Of course, considering that you're here, it's not hard to guess what I recommend instead of FTP for sending large files...

Please let me know what you think in the comments!

Online file transfer - another one bites the dust

Juan Rojas — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 21:04:00 GMT

The news has been flying about all over the Internet: social media giant Facebook has bought out file sharing service Drop.io.

For those who don't know, Drop.io took an unusual approach to sending large files by allowing users to create temporary "mini-drop-boxes". There were no other features - just the ability to anonymously share files for a brief period of time.

According to TechCrunch.com, the social media moguls have bought not only Drop.io's technology, but their talent: CEO Sam Lessin (and perhaps others) will be moving out to Palo Alto, California to join the Facebook team.

The company's incipient demise (non-paid accounts have already been shut down, and paid accounts will be closed on December 15, 2010) sends an interesting message to the rest of the file-sharing industry: Facebook is planning to add online file transfer to their service offerings.

This may or may not be a good thing, depending on one's point of view. Facebook has 2 main strengths that they can apply to the field that most online file transfer services cannot:

1. Massive traffic, and

2. Massive capital to spend on application development.

If they do go ahead and implement a technology similar to Drop.io's, and integrate it fully into their service, it would probably mean the demise of many of the current companies in the field - especially the new, smaller start-ups with little to offer besides sending files too big for email.

If the services that let users transfer big files wish to survive, they are going to have to "go the extra mile", and offer more than ad-serviced large file transfer.

(Photo credit)

What sort of value-add features should users look for in a big files transfer service?

1. The ability to receive large files: only a few of these companies let their users receive files from those without accounts, and they usually charge for the privilege.

2. Storage: while many users are only interested in sending large files, many more (especially businesses) are also looking for the ability to store files online - allowing them not only to collaborate but preserve valuable data.

3. Robust tracking: of special value to corporate users (from any size business), the ability to track uploads and downloads is a must - especially if multiple users in separate locations share one account.

FilesDIRECT (of course) offers all these features, and more, for free with all accounts:

1. Free customizable upload and download pages ("dropboxes"). Now your clients can upload files to your personal page - or download files from a set of private files you send them a link to.

2. Paid accounts start with a whopping 10GB of free storage - and it only goes up from there.

3. Tracking: live tracking of what files have been uploaded and downloaded, when and by whom.

There are many more features and our development team is always working on more...while fly-by-night "free" operations should be worried about the news out of Brooklyn, we know that FilesDIRECT will still be around for a long time to come.

Business File Sharing

Juan Rojas — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 20:36:00 GMT

No matter the size of the company, an increasing number of businesses need to be able to send files or receive files, either internally (among staff) or externally (with clients, contractors or field staff).

Smaller companies often don't have the resources to set up their own servers (either in terms of hardware and the IT staff to maintain it), especially in the earlier days of an enterprise. This limits their ability to use FTP (the traditional choice for sending large files) or network drives (the simplest solution for internal file sharing). Large companies also face similar limitations, especially in current difficult economic times. Let's face it: everyone's on a tighter budget these days.

(Photo credit)

While email is a common choice for sending files, it suffers from a number of downsides:

1. Lack of security: email is a very easy electronic media to access...in other words, it's easy to hack. This is a major concern for businesses that handle sensitive information, such as health care-related companies (insurance firms, doctor's offices, etc.), financial institutions, or law firms.

2. File size limits: most common email programs impose limits on the size of attachments that can be sent along with messages, generally in the range of 25MB. While this may not be an issue for many non-business users, many companies need to be able to send or access much larger files, such as contracts, architectural drawings, computer applications or patient files (among many possibilities).

3. Poor tracking: if a particular file (or set of files) is subject to changes from several people, email does not really give the ability to properly track changes made, who made them or who has accessed the files in question.

The inherent risks and issues involved in FTP were discussed in the previous post on this blog.

So, if neither of the 2 most popular methods of sharing files are the best way to go, what is?

A web based file transfer service.

Online file sharing solves all of the issues mentioned earlier. For example, FilesDIRECT offers:

1. Security: 128-bit encryption is used for uploading and downloading files (the same level of encryption used by banks and major online retailers like Amazon.com), and files are sent using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) cryptography. Combined with the ability to password protect downloads and uploads, this is a level of security that cannot be matched by other methods.

2. While the vast majority of email programs severely limit the size of files that can be sent (most to a max of 25MB or less), FilesDIRECT allows users to send files up to 2GB in size without downloading any software. Downloading the free desktop app allows for file transfers of any size.

3. FilesDIRECT's built-in file management includes automatic tracking of files, including the file name and type, it's size, and upload and download history.

Another benefit is that, once a company has an account, they can set up a (free!) upload page (aka: a dropbox) to allow others (such as clients, contractors, etc.) to upload files to the company for free...without having to open accounts of their own.

All of these features make big file transfer with FilesDIRECT a natural choice for businesses of any size in any industry.

What is FTP and how good is it for file transfer?

Juan Rojas — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 21:13:00 GMT

Now, this post probably won't be of interest to the technically inclined, but for folks who are curious about some of the jargon flung about the file transfer side of the internet, this one is for you.

(Photo credit)

FTP stands for "File Transfer Protocol", and it is a method used to copy files from one host to another over networks like the internet - technically, over "TCP/IP" networks, which stands for "Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol". Access to an FTP client can be either anonymous or password-protected, depending on how it's been set up.

FTP was originally created by Abhay Bhushan in 1971, with the standard specifications having been updated twice since then (in 1980 and 1985). Let's look at that again: the File Transfer Protocol, one of the major methods used to send files, was first written in 1971 and it's last major update was in 1985.

1985.

25 years ago.

Moreover, ask any (honest) IT professional and they'll tell you that FTP was never designed to be a secure method of sending data, and even with security upgrades, it's still vulnerable to a wide variety of attacks (according to the good folks at Wikipedia). Though somewhat mitigated in modern versions, data (including user names, passwords, etc.) can often be easily accessed and read. Additionally, it tends to leave mile-wide holes in your firewall, thereby opening your computer to potential attack.

(Photo credit)

As one would expect for such an old system, usability is not very good - even newer versions are often clunky and distinctly not user friendly. If you've ever had to use FTP, chances are you've experienced this firsthand...I know I have.

"There's got to be a better option!" You might say. And I would respond "Yes, yes, there is." It's been 25 years since the advent of FTP, and a lot has changed since then, including the coding languages available to programmers and, in fact, the very structure of the internet.

This is a very good thing, because it's given us a variety of choices, the best of which are probably online file transfer services like FilesDIRECT. I confess to being biased, but let's look at the reasons why:

Password protected uploads and downloads
128-bit SSL encryption
Easy to use - super-simple user interface
Send large files (2GB using your browser, or files of any size with the desktop app)
Send and receive multiple files simultaneously
There are no servers to maintain
Works with any operating system

And, of course, much more.

With modern, more secure options like this, I can't think of any good reasons for using something as outdated as FTP.

It's time to move large file transfer into the 21st century.

7 Social Media Lessons from Mr. Miyagi

Juan Rojas — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 19:07:00 GMT

(Photo credit)

I was directed to this fantastic post by Frank Strong (of Vocus & PRWeb fame) on the TopRank Online Marketing Blog that ties the classic 80's movie into social media.

I confess, as both a martial artist and marketer, that I think the concept is awesome all-around. Besides having a neat concept, the article is well-written and provides useful advice, especially to those new to social media marketing. It doesn't have anything to do with large file transfers, but I think you'll find it interesting and useful.

Here's the link. Enjoy!

File Transfer Article - We're Famous!

Juan Rojas — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 16:24:00 GMT

Okay, so I may be exaggerating, but only a little!

This post is really to toot my own horn (so to speak) but what can I say: I'm excited, and the rest of the team here encouraged me to write a blog post about it, so here we are:

I am now listed as an "Expert Author" on EzineArticles.com, the Internet's leading article directory.

(Photo credit)

And yes, before you ask, I was almost as excited as a kid at Christmas.

Anyways, the article is titled: "Send Large Files Safely Online" (feel free to click the link) and it gave me the opportunity to discuss some of the knowledge I've gained over the past few months about sending large files, receiving large files, and online storage - specifically focusing on the security issues involved in online file transfer.

It's not an in-depth discussion of different security protocols, or a careful examination of different methods of cryptography (although, come to think of it, those are some petty good ideas for later articles...hmmm...) so much as a brief overview of the security issues to consider when choosing a file transfer service.

Feedback is welcome (just leave a note in the comments) but please - be gentle. :)

Online Storage and Keeping Health Information Safe

Juan Rojas — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:46:00 GMT

Healthcare organizations (including hospitals, claims administrators, doctors' offices, etc.) exist in a high-pressure, highly-regulated environment, and several of those regulations are about keeping and transferring patient data.

(Photo credit)

Regulations like HIPAA demand that healthcare organizations keep personally identifiable health information confidential, and that they track and report on how that information is accessed.

The challenge is that the systems used must not only be secure, but be simple enough that any staff who need to access the information can do so easily and effectively.

Email, though widely-adopted and easy to use, suffers from a lack of security and an ability to transfer only small files (10MB or less). FTP, though commonly used by IT professionals, is very complicated to use and very insecure.

Example

A local hospital has a wide variety of staff, clients and partners, not all of whom are on-site. Doctors and nurses need to access and update patient information on the fly, while hospital administrators have to manage the access given to the hospital’s billing service, who is then in contact with patients' insurance companies. They had previously used email and FTP – but their FTP system lacked encryption abilities, and email was becoming less scalable and using increasing amount of server resources. To top it all off, neither system lets them manage workflow or enforce appropriate access to patient records.

The solution is online file transfer and storage. These services (like FilesDIRECT) let healthcare organizations store data offsite, which gives redundancy of important information and reduces server load.

FilesDIRECT’s “One-Click Send” system is easy to use; with a simple, customizable public upload page. This allows hospital staff and partners to use the system without time-consuming (and expensive!) training.

Our online file transfers use the same level of encryption as banks and major online retailers (like Amazon). This means healthcare organizations can rest assured their patient information is secure.

Simplicity, security, and built-in tracking means FilesDRECT is the perfect solution for HIPAA compliant file transfer.

Try it FREE today!

Why Should Sending Files be Complicated?

Juan Rojas — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 20:13:00 GMT

Trying to email large files is a process filled with limitations and problems, and even though it’s a popular method to send files, you shouldn’t risk losing your work to it. Low file size limits and a tendency for messages to disappear without any kind of notice are all reasons to switch to something new. Now, you can quickly and safely email large attachments to anyone, anywhere in the world with FilesDIRECT.

(Photo credit)

Using one-click send and a secure SSL encryption, FilesDIRECT is the best and most convenient web based file transfer service available.

Whether you are a large enterprise business needing to email thousands of confidential documents or a small graphic design firm trying to get dozens of large Photoshop files to the printers, FilesDIRECT is the perfect solution. In addition, no FTP or tech knowledge is required, just click to upload your file and emails are instantly sent to both you and the recipient letting everyone know the files are ready to be downloaded.

(Photo credit)

Have questions? Want to try FilesDIRECT? Sign-up for our FREE trial and start emailing large files right now.

FilesDIRECT faves: free iPhone apps

Ross Mann — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 20:50:00 GMT

As a bit of a break from our usual posts, we've decided to poll the staff here at the FilesDIRECT office to get a list of everyone's favorite iPhone apps.

(Photo credit)

In case you're wondering: yes, everyone here does have an iPhone. And yes, we love them.

One of our top picks is iBooks - Apple's free e-book app. The built-in search, easy organizing and bookmarking, and pdf-reading capability all make this a perennial favorite. Make sure you've got iOS 4 before you pick this one up so you can get all the latest features.

Bump made the grade as a networking app: all it takes is a quick fist bump and you can share photos, contacts, and calendar events, become friends on Facebook, and more.

Zoocasa got the thumbs up by our CEO himself as a real estate search app that is simple and easy to use. It shows you local homes that are up for sale and displays them as a Google map. You can filter the results by number of bedrooms or bathrooms, as well as price. It lets you view photos as well as agent contact info, and email the info with just one tap.

The next 3 apps made it onto this list because most of our staff travel internationally on a regular basis:

XE Currency is a powerful (and popular) currency converter powered by XE.com - access current conversion rates on over 180 currencies.

Next up is TripAdvisor. This handy little app lets you find flights, restaurants and things to do wherever you're travelling. It includes over 35 million reviews, and it works with your iPhone's GPS to get you directions and point out nearby options.

The last of the "travel app trio" is Flight Tracker, which lets you search for and track upcoming flights, and keep track of relevant details like gates, arrival times, baggage claim info, flight delays, etc. It's biggest draw is that it suggests alternative flights (and their connections) so that you're not entirely at the mercy of the never-that-reliable airline industry. While not really free, at $0.99, it's so close that it might as well be.

A fun free app (if you're a Star Wars nerd, anyways) is Lightsaber. On the off chance you haven't tried this yet, it does just what you think: creates a big glowing line across your screen and produces all the sound effects of the elegant weapon from a more civilized age.

Game-wise, it's hard to beat Monster Kill for sheer manic enjoyment. You have a wall. Monsters come down the screen and try to break through your wall. You kill the monsters. Repeat. A simple but effective formula.

So there you have it - some of our favorite apps. What are yours?

FilesDIRECT How-To: Sending Files with Direct Send

Ross Mann — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 21:24:00 GMT

We've been promising everyone tutorials on how to use the service to transfer large files, and while we're setting up our video studio, we thought we would post these in the interim.

Okay, you've just signed up with FilesDIRECT, and you have some files you'd like to send - now what?

First, log in to FilesDIRECT by entering your username and password in the upper right-hand corner of the screen:

Once you have logged in, you will see two tabs on the upper left: "Dashboard" and "Manage Files". Make sure the "Dashboard" tab is selected:

Once you are in the Dashboard, you have 3 main options:

1. Send a File

2. Manage Files

3. Customize Page

Click on "Begin Upload" (underneath Send a File)

This takes you to the Upload page - once the page loads, click "+ Direct Send" at the bottom of the page:

This will bring up the additional fields to fill out to send the file(s).

First, verify your personal information at the top of the page: feel free to add or remove data as you like (the only information you need to have is your name and email address)

Halfway down the page is the "Add files" button. Click it.

Now you can select the files you want to send via the popup window:

Once you've selected the files you want to send, just scroll down, enter in the recipients' email address, and the subject and text of the message you'd like to send them along with the file. Then decide if you want to password-protect the download and/or have the file automatically erased after being downloaded:

If you want to encrypt the files, select "Click Here for Secure Uploads" at the top of the screen.

Then just click "Continue" and sit back and relax as your files are uploaded and sent!

Simple, easy, safe: that's FilesDIRECT.

Secure File Sharing Methods

Ross Mann — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 17:05:00 GMT

For thirty years, FTP has been the default method of moving files around networks, including the internet. It's no surprise that FilesDIRECT replaces FTP, but on what basis?

The real question is: on what basis does it not?

Security - For the past thirty years, plain FTP has ignored security concerns, passing its passwords across the net in plain text. In today's world that's completely unacceptable, especially with the huge rise in easily eaves-droppable mobile devices. Also, FTP plays havoc with firewalls, opening a new connection for every file, which makes your network less secure (especially when the firewall is configured out of desperation to allow FTP, but disallow better security.) FilesDIRECT is SSL-encrypted every time, and nothing passes in plain text.

(Photo: Dazzie D)

Usability - Timestamps on files aren't kept with FTP, leaving users lost as to what version of what file they're looking at after a transfer. Directory listings aren't standardized, meaning users can be stuck working with clumsy, incorrect information about what files are where. FilesDIRECT uses easy to read links and lists to display directories and timestamps are what they're supposed to be.

Simplicity - FTP clients are confusing, especially for new users. What thirty year old software technology wouldn't be? By comparison, if you can use email and a web browser, you can use FilesDIRECT.

Sadly, FTP won't be going away any time soon. The good news is you don't have to keep using it: now you can choose FilesDIRECT!

Reliable file transfer is a reality

Juan Rojas — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 20:17:00 GMT

(Photo: Tanaka Juuyoh)

When you're trying to send your files, you assume that once you've sent them off, they arrive at their destination, right?

Not necessarily.

If you've tried using email to send large files, or to arrange file sharing via FTP, you know that (as the song goes) "you can't always get what you want". Maybe the file's too big. Maybe it got saved to the wrong directory. Maybe your account's been hacked.

Your data is too important to be trusted to "maybe".

FilesDIRECT offers solid architecture that ensures top-notch security and availability. Our secure North American servers make sure that you can both send and receive your files easily, from anywhere in the world with an internet connection. Unlike older, outdated models of transferring information, your files are sent instantly, stored securely, and constantly traced, so you always know who has access to your data. As the premium online file transfer service, FilesDIRECT offers you:

Instant email notification lets you know when your file has uploaded

Our system accepts any type of file up to 2GB in size

Includes free online storage for your files

Can be used with any browser or operating system

Industry-leading support for our clients, including live phone support (even for our trial users!)

All account holders can track their files & transfers in real time (by file, IP, email address & time)

All this and more through a simple "one-click" interface. Why leave your file transfers to chance?

Low-Cost Online Storage

Juan Rojas — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 17:35:00 GMT

There are a number of online storage and file transfer services out there, but are they all created equal?

Of course not.

Unlike other online file transfer services, FilesDIRECT won’t charge you extra to send larger files, or for a minimal (ie: barely noticeable) amount of storage, or demand you have a minimum number of users on your account (each of them having to separately pay the full price, of course).

(Photo: Stewart)

Our free trial account starts with 2GB of storage, and it only grows from there - the starter plan gives you 10GB of storage and lets you transfer up to 300MB a month.

There’s no “pay to play” with FilesDIRECT: all our plans (including the 30 day free trial) come with our full suite of services, including:

Detailed tracking
128-bit SSL encryption
Customizable email notifications
Personalized “drop box”
Full (phone and online) support
and much, much more

You get all this starting at just $18 a month. If you want to send large files, FilesDIRECT gives you the most bang for your buck – guaranteed.

Try it FREE today!

Receiving large files online

Juan Rojas — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 20:30:00 GMT

(Photo credit)

There are many problems with receiving large files – almost as many as there are trying to send them. FilesDIRECT takes care of everything for you: no more complicated FTP, email size limits or expensive couriers.

Our web-based service means even someone without a FilesDIRECT account can send you files up to 2GB in size with literally a single mouse click – and you can download it just as easily.

Here’s how it works:

When you sign up with FIlesDIRECT, we’ll create (and host) a webpage where others can upload files for you.

This page is easily (and completely) customizable to meet your company’s branding needs.

Once files have been uploaded, we’ll send two emails: a confirmation to the sender and a notification to the user. Once you receive the email, just log in to your FilesDIRECT account and start downloading!

The files are stored on our servers for as long as you like, ready for you to download at your convenience.

All our file transfers come with full 128-bit SSL encryption – the same level of protection used by banks and big online retailers like Amazon.com.

No more burning cd’s, hiring couriers or putting up with FTP. Easy file transfer is finally just a click away!

Transfer Large Files - Architects and Engineers

Ross Mann — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 15:41:00 GMT

(Photo: Seattle Municipal Archives)

With everything from floor plans and schematics to 3D renderings and CAD files, engineers and architects have to send large files to various people and companies, often in different cities and even across the globe. Whether you are looking for the ability to send large architecture files or email engineering files, FilesDIRECT can solve all your file transfer problems.

With the ability to send files to anywhere in the world with our simple one-click upload and send, FilesDIRECT is the perfect architect and engineer large file transfer tool. Sign up now and start sending your files with:

1. 128-bit SSL encryption for maximum security

2. File sizes of up to 2GB - no email size limitations

3. Compatibility with all operating systems

4. No server setup or hassle from dealing with FTP's

With a new 30-day free trial, you can literally be sending your files in minutes.

Secure file transfer - how do you keep your data safe?

Ross Mann — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 17:00:00 GMT

(Photo: Anonymous Account)

Whether you need to send confidential financial data or personal information, you can never be too careful when making sure it doesn't get in the wrong hands. With so many security issues caused by the vulnerabilities of email (easily hacked) and FTP (opens huge holes in your firewall), you need to make sure you keep your files safe with a secure file transfer service like FilesDIRECT.

At FilesDIRECT, every file uploaded to our secure servers is protected with 128-bit SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encryption so that your information stays secret. This is the same encryption protocol used by banks and major online retailers like Amazon.com. In addition, our one-click upload and send offers the easiest secure file transfer possible.

FilesDIRECT is perfect for: hospitals, health care providers, government agencies, financial institutions, universities, and anyone else sending sensitive information online.

Click here to see just how easy FilesDIRECT really is - try it FREE for 30 days!

Video And Email Attachments: Forget It

Ross Mann — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 15:42:00 GMT

If you've never tried to send a large video clip across the Internet via email attachment, let me save you the trouble -- don't bother. Email wasn't designed to haul around large multimedia objects like video and that weakness still shows even at this late date.

(Photo: Brankomaster)

The problems are:

The File Probably Won't Get There

Video files are big by nature, and with the proliferation of cameras on laptops more video clips than ever are being created. Sharing these clips is key to business in a lot of cases, just like it is for PDFs, photos (JPEGs and GIFs) word processing and spreadsheet documents and all kinds of data types. The problem is that video clips are larger (contain more data) by far than any of these kinds of files. When you send a file using email, the sending program doesn't check with the receiving program if the attached file is too large to make it over, and with video, most of the time it is too large! So what happens is the email is sent - and bounces back with "attachment too large". But sometimes, much worse than that, the second big problem with video email happens:

The Attached Video Didn't Get There And You Don't Know It

The way email works means that a message with a big video file attachment probably won't get where you're sending it, which is bad enough. What's worse is: you might not even know it didn't get there. When email fails, you get a bounce message, but maybe not right away, and maybe not at all. Plus, it's very common that the email makes it over but the attachment is prevented from coming over -- and you are never told! That's no way to conduct business.

The Solution: Files Direct

Because Files Direct doesn't rely on email, any video attachment up to 2GB will make it to its destination! Just send the file and an email confirmation to you and to the recipient appears immediately, taking the mystery and unreliability out of video file delivery across the Internet.

Large file transfer for video production

Ross Mann — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 22:02:00 GMT

(Photo: Sorosh)

Whether you work in the commercial, TV, or film industry, FilesDIRECT can help you send large video files anywhere in the world. It can be a big bottleneck: between the set, producers, editors, and others all needing access to what's being created, you need an easy versatile solution that doesn't require more training.

With our simple one-click send, your videos will be uploaded and emails instantly sent to recipients for download. Not only that, but your files stay online as long as you choose for continued access.

Never again will you have trouble transfering large video files thanks to FilesDIRECT offering:

1. SSL Encryption for maximum security

2. None of the limitations of email

3. Compatibility with all operating systems

4. No server setup or hassle from dealing with FTP's

With eight different plans to choose from, you can sign up and start sending your files in minutes.

FTP Replacement - now is the time!

Ross Mann — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 18:40:00 GMT

So, in my drifting around the internet, I came across this fantastic article by Chris Josephes at O'Reilly Sysadmin.

In it, Mr. Josephes makes an excellent case for replacing this frankly outdated protocol: he discusses the fact that it's over 25 years old (!), designed to fix old problems in IP protocol, etc.

(Photo: Cote)

He also offers a few suggestions on potential replacements. Surprisingly, though, he doesn't mention online file transfer services as an alternative.

Sites like FilesDIRECT offer everything FTP doesn't: secure file transfer, ease of use, and not having to troubleshoot some obscure issue every other day.

With a 30-day free trial, 128-bit SSL encryption and one click file transfer, why not try it today?

Receive and Send Large Image Files

Ross Mann — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 22:59:00 GMT

(Photo: Herkie)

With the ability to upload, send, and store large files online in just one click, FilesDIRECT is the perfect solution for any print or design company looking to transfer large image files. Unlike FTP, FilesDIRECT doesn't require downloading any programs or worrying about setting up any servers - everything is done through your browser and can be used on any operating system.

You avoid couriering cd's back and forth, saving you and your clients time, money and frustration.

FilesDIRECT also uses SSL encryption so that you'll never have to worry about your files getting in the wrong hands. With a variety plans to choose from, FilesDIRECT is the most affordable site for anyone needing to email large images or any other type of media file.

Try FilesDIRECT free for 30 days and start sending your files today!

Transfer Large Media Files From Anywhere

Ross Mann — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 16:48:00 GMT

Gary Shaw is a television writer in Los Angeles. Without FilesDIRECT, he couldn't get his job done.

"I write scripts for animation shows - cartoons for kids and adults," says Gary. "I'm on a team with the animators, the voice talent, the producers of the show and the network airing the show. That means there are four places video clips have to move every time something is changed or added to any episode of any of the shows I write."

Gary uses FilesDIRECT to download the video clips as well as clips of audio and video from the show's producers containing changes they need made to the show.

"A single episode runs 11 minutes, with two episodes per show. There could be twenty or thirty changes during production time. None of us works in the same office, so we rely on FilesDIRECT to get our video to where it needs to go at the right time." Gary says "With so many people in the loop - animators, producers, voice talent, interns, network execs, - it's incredibly easy to get mixed up with the wrong video file being sent to the wrong place at the wrong time."

FilesDIRECT takes the guesswork out of the process by reducing the complicated process of large file uploads down to simple emails containing links, which keeps the laughs coming on your TV or computer screen.

"It's true that the further you get away from the front line of production, more toward the network offices or producers' offices, the more you need your tools to be simple and easy to use. Without FilesDIRECT, I can only imagine what kind of nightmare we'd be facing every day."

Secure File Transfer Sites

Ross Mann — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 16:48:00 GMT

It's no joke, a company's large digital files are these days as likely to contain millions or even billions of dollars worth of financial data, with everything from earnings reports to legal documents. As the internet has become second nature to countless corporate and government missions, the rise in the casual use of file transfer has in some ways been a tradeoff. Often, we are trading away security for ease of use.

In the financial realm, it used to be that reconciling the books every week for, say, a department at an insurance giant or a federal agency meant running off tapes from mainframe machines and flying them by air courier to data processing facilities. Literally trillions of dollars have moved that way over the years, and the expense and hassle involved has been great.

The urge to cut costs and the increasing comfort level with internet file transfers has combined to change the assumptions about that kind of data handling. The internet is everywhere, and those big collections of checks or payments move much more quickly and cheaply to their destinations on the net than by courier.

But lurking in the casual nature of file transfer is the specter of lost security. Sending sensitive files by any free email program, such as Yahoo or Google, sending physical media unattended, or FTP all add up to huge security risks. The feds know this, and passed the Secure Federal File Sharing Act, but the effect hasn't been as great as was hoped.

FilesDIRECT is not FTP. Our transfers are encrypted using SSL from end to end, making it virtually impossible for anyone in the middle between sender and receiver to decrypt the contents. You get the convenience and none of the risk. Don't overlook security. Don't overlook FilesDIRECT.

Replace Unreliable IT Resources With FilesDIRECT

Ross Mann — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 16:47:00 GMT

You know how it can be with enterprise IT departments sometimes. Maybe it's a case of the grass always being greener on the other side, but trying to get large-file work done seems tougher than it should be no matter where you work.

Independent or small-company media producers look with envy at the big companies with their large IT staffs who make technical problems go away. Yet the reality inside these large firms can be very different: a corporate media department is often saddled with legacy systems that are set up for smaller files and more generalized business use. Having IT keep a shared drive available for internal use can be a challenge - and just try getting one made available to the internet through the corporate firewall in less than a few weeks time - if you can even break through the political firewall!

Meanwhile, media staff at big corporate outfits look with envy at their small-company or independent counterparts and imagine they can quickly put up any shared drive service they want as fast as they need it. But the reality there is also troublesome. Many small operations use web hosting for FTP services, and we all know how much of a hassle FTP is.

The best files transfer solution for large and small business is FilesDIRECT. Big-company media shops can punch through the corporate firewall using a plain old web service and email - two things their IT department can't complain about. And small service providers can get the job done with nothing more than web and email - no FTP hassles. Truly, FilesDIRECT is the best of both worlds!

Dangers of Sending Files Unsecured via FTP

Ross Mann — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 16:47:00 GMT

Sophisticated digital content is the stock in trade of media professionals. But these aren't the only pros to rely on digital media. The legal industry increasingly uses large files, which puts ever-greater pressure on legal support staff to become adept at handling those files. With high-dollar cases riding on a legal team's ability to master the tools, delays and errors are very costly.

Of course, delays and errors are common with old internet technologies. In the early days of the net, computer professionals were the net's only users, so the software tools were built with no bells and whistles such as email notification, SSL encryption, or web upload. Everybody used FTP to upload and download large files. They logged into servers using weird little FTP client applications, they navigated directories, they made guesses as to what file to get or to put, and they did all of it by typing, if you can believe it.

One example of the problems and dangers of using FTP for this is when one law firm working on a huge lawsuit needed legal support from a law firm across the state. Their own staff had been struggling along with FTP but the new firm was from a much smaller town and used FTP maybe once or twice a year. When the legal secretary from the new firm uploaded critical medical files not to the bigger firm's server, but to her own hard drive by mistake, the team missed a major filing deadline as they attempted to phone-support the legal secretary, who insisted that the files had moved. She was right, they had moved, just not to where she thought they went. That kind of thing happens with FTP all the time.

If instead of FTP, she had FilesDIRECT, a click on a web page would be all she needed to get it right and on time. The alert emails would be automatically sent, the right file gets to the right place and the right people are alerted every time, and a multimillion-dollar judgment goes your way instead of the highway.

FilesDIRECT: The Volcano-Proof Data Shipping Method

Ross Mann — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 16:47:00 GMT

As the cloud of volcanic ash begins to dissipate over Europe, the tally of economic destruction caused by the Icelandic eruption is only beginning to be calculated. The flow of untold billions of dollars has been disrupted by Europe's grounding of aircraft for nearly a week. Stranded travelers are only the tip of the (erupting) iceberg; air freight, business communications and governmental communications alone will add up to a staggering amount of lost money due to delay of critical materials arriving in a timely fashion.

How much of this loss could have been avoided by using FilesDIRECT instead of air couriers? Plenty.

As incredible as it may seem, a great deal of financial data travels not on the internet, but by air courier. Executives in the banking, insurance, financial markets and related industries all know that billions of dollars of transactions are compiled onto storage media (sometimes even tape!) and shuttled all over the world for processing. Government and military leaders also know the price of running legacy mainframe computer systems that drive huge programs and operations includes using air couriers to move the big transactions around the world.

As last week has shown, that's a status quo that can't stay in place. When a natural event can shut down the flow of this data for a week or longer, all assumptions are thrown out the window. What these industries need is a means to send these huge files that ignores weather and won't cost more if mother nature rears her head. What big finance, big business and big government needs is an easy-to-use, encrypted, reliable, global large-file transfer service.

What they need is FilesDIRECT.