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Monday May 9, 2005 2:14 pm
Box.net Review
A while back we gave away three box.net storage accounts to our readers. Heck, we even used box.net to host our NYC PSP launch photo album. The reason we gave three away two months ago was because we thought this seemed like a pretty neat service, so we took it for a more in depth look ourselves to tell you more about it. We provide a look at box.net after the jump.
What Is box.net?
Essentially, box.net provides online storage to its customers. You might ask yourself, “what the heck could I use that for?” Well, have you ever forgotten your floppy/zip/USB keychain disks? I have. It always happens in the least most convenient time, too. This is probably the main reason to use the service, but certainly not the only one. Let’s explore, shall we?
Easy Does It
As mentioned, file storing is the main reason to join this service. The system is so incredibly easy to use; a non-techie can navigate through it very efficiently. To prove this, I recruited Meaghan, a self proclaimed non-techie, to navigate through the system. She was able to upload a file, create a folder, navigate and send a file sharing link without any of my help. All she normally does on her PC is Instant Message and surf the web. She was particularly impressed with how easy it was for her to share and album online and stated that this was the feature she would most likely use. She went on to mention that this would be particularly useful for work as she is always in need of documents to and from home and work.
Upload This
I wanted to illustrate the simplicity of the uploading but it is better to show you using some screenshots of me uploading the photos for the PSP launch party. As soon as I log on I’m at the “My Box” main screen. I already had created a folder for the pictures to be used:
Then I decided to try both browsing for files. I could pick the files individually or for even more simplicity use the Javascript “drag and drop” feature. Both are equally easy and useful:
Then, viola, the pictures are nicely placed into thumbnails.
Link Thyself
So you want to share your pictures? All you have to do is click on the little “people” under your folder (or files). This little window pops up and as you can see everything is self explanatory from there:
This feature is not only available to pictures but to files as well. So there is no limit to what document you can share with family, friends, and coworkers.
FINAL VERDICT
Overall, this is very convenient and it cost less than my morning latte. At $2.99/month for 1GB of storage, box.net really provides better service and more bytes for my buck than my $40 USB drive (256 MB). I definitely recommend it for personal use.
~ Edwin Soto
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Comments:
I was one of the people that won a box.net storage account during the GearLive contest. I have to say that it is a pretty cool service and they have been constantly updating it with new and cool features.
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This site has a ton of cool features however, if all you need is off site storage i just e-mail my self my essay, i’ve never had a word document over 20mb, in addition i also have a website that i pay for so i could use that instead of this service. Definately a cool idea though.
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the only complaints i have (i also won one of the freebies) is that you can’t upload/download via FTP (it would be a cool feature), and uploading via browser takes forever
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Seems cool, what about up and down speed? And does BOX.net has some kind of slideshow or photo-navigate feature to show shared pictures in a comfortable way (unlike opendir…)
BTW. I guess BOX.net does not support any webhosting, so it supports showing HTML or server-sided PHP/ASP/MySQL services?
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Here is a response to a few of the comments about Box.net:
We feel that services like Box.net are beneficial as compared with email-attachment storage if you are looking to keep many files organized, or have the ability to manipulate or share these files. We are constantly working on features which email is not capable of providing.
Regarding photo slideshows and albums, here is an example album:
http://box.net/public/friend/folders/444.html
Lastly, FTP is now an available feature which has not been announced yet… so we can implement that on any account if you email us. We will be announcing all of these additions publically sometime soon! Thanks for your support and interest in Box.net….
Aaron Levie
Box.net
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I have to say, that I’ve been using Box.net since I saw the initial give away. I wrote a full review of it as well, with TONS of screen shots. You can read more about it here:
http://www.nickstarr.com/2005/03/17.html#a869
As far as the service, I can tell you that they ALWAYS have thing going on behind the scenes. They have a thumbnail box, FTP, email to your account feature, etc that are all in the works yet not completely announced.
Stay tuned to see what this company brings to the table. I couldn’t go a single day without using my “box” as I refer to it with everyone I know.
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I have recently invited 7 friends and requested them to sign up and they did it. Then quickly I got an upgrade to 5Gb premium account. Good.
Now today when I logged in I see that my account have been downgraded back to 1Gb free user? WTF???
My brand new premium user account lasted just less than two days (and it was supposed to last for 1 year…)
Sorry for my english but it’s not my native tongue.
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We currently have an FTP replacement tool in the works. We are also looking for resellers and partners. ww.singlerench.com
Send me an email if you have any questions.
Thanks
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