BoxCloud: dead simple file sharing

Ash (from BoxCloud here)...

Just clarifying a couple of points made:

1. BoxCloud is not a P2P or web based application but a p2web application which is both. As a result, we do tunnel all traffic through our network to be able to connect the browser with the target machine where the files reside. We are going to support direct P2P connections if both sides have the client which will not be counted as bandwidth usage.

2. BoxCloud was really designed to simplify iterative collaboration in environments (like graphic design) where there is a lot of content churn (rapid creation/feedback/revision cycles) - without having to upload multiple revisions of the same files, or forcing others to download a p2p client. You just work on your desktop like you always did.

3. The "online" limitation is something we are working to eliminate over time through a combination of server caching (already available) and swarming across other nodes that have the file.

I also think that Pando is the better choice.

Greetings

why would anyone use this as opposed to rapidshare, megaupload or any of the many free services that do this without the hassle of needing your machine to be running and online?

I get that they made an easy to use U.I. and they want to charge for it. And hey, the 1gb free plan's not bad.

I can definitely think of few persons that I've had to send files to and in the end, it was easier just to snail mail the files on cd.

Wish they had an option to host the files on your own server instead of leaving your own computer on for the whole time.

Pando is not quite as simple in that it requires the recipient to download and install the Pando client and use it to receive the file. But most folks should be able to follow the instructions to do so. I'd rather use Pando because it senses whether sender and recipient are on a local network and employs a direct connection to transfer if they are, or hosts the file on Pando's servers if not. (And, at least so far, it's free.)

I use MediaFire.com - No "client" software, no fees, and no limits. You can't get any simpler. BoxCloud = DOA.

Better hope your asynchronous upload speeds are good or it's going to take your client a long time to download the file, especially with concurrent activity.

As for newbies, do you really want them using their own computer as a server?

This may work well for some, but my connection is too slow and my client files are too large to host via my home internet connection.

They create the web site that is the UI for your hosted files. They also serve as the middle man for connecting you and your file recipient; the client is part of that service, but so is connecting the dots between you two.

This sounds a bit strange to me. Basically, what it sounds like is that they sell you your own bandwith.
They do charge you for all bandwith you use _on your own computer_ over _your own internet connection_. I'm not sure if they tunnel all data through their servers but as long as your not behind a NAT that wouldn't make much sense.

They do offer a caching option to temporarily store your files on their servers, though.

I'm anything but against simple file sharing but this payment scheme seems a bit strange to me.

So. why are you paying these people anything ?

If I host the file then the bandwidth costs are mine and also those of the person downloading. The storage costs are mine alone and the cost of sending an email is negligible.

They seemingly have found a clever way to lighten peoples wallets while actively providing nothing more than a means to circumvent firewalls.