'Internet' network drive

[MrRobin]

Have been recently looking for some online file space to store stuff I can access from home, client, anywhere I need etc without having to use a memory stick. Was recommended BT Vault which is OK (and free) but the interface drives me up the wall.

What I really would like is a service where I can map my online space as a network drive and then just use it as I would any other disk space. Can anyone recommend any sites? I don't mind paying a small subscription if it's a good service but I don't need tons of space (>1Gb) so don't want to be shelling out too much.

Alternatively, would it be possible to use my home PC as the file server and then I map a network drive wherever I am to it? Would this be the same as setting up a home web server? I once did this before but didn't have much use for it..!

Thanks.

 

[TheFaQQer]

I use GMailFS, but if you can't access internet email, that's not much use for you.

AOL do something (Xdrive, I think) that is free. I signed up for it, but haven't really used it.

 

[chicane]

You don't state what operating system you're using, whether your day-to-day machine is your own laptop, and details of any network controls you're subject to whilst on site.

On the assumption that you're using Windows, you're not spoilt for choice in this department. Ideally you should be looking at a proper VPN solution that makes your laptop appear as if it's on your home network.

In the absence of this, your options are limited and anything less than a VPN is a compromise in terms of security and reliability, especially if you're looking at working directly with the remote files (e.g. loading and editing within Word) as opposed to simply transferring them up and down.

Try the following if you're interested in a half-baked solution:

http://www.engadget.com/2005/10/25/how-to-map-a-drive-to-your-ftp-server/

http://www.pluralsight.com/blogs/craig/archive/2004/12/30/4633.aspx

 

[TheFaQQer]

If you have some kind of server, then even something like Oracle Collaboration Suite could do the trick - it's cheap to licence, and then it stores your files etc. in an Oracle database, which is easy to backup.

Has a web front end to it, which you can use - and you could have multiple users, project repositories, etc. etc.

 

[r0bly0ns]

www.idrive.com
2GB free space and you get a mapped drive type thingy

 

[Clippy]

AOL do something (Xdrive, I think) that is free. I signed up for it, but haven't really used it.

As Faqqer, says http://www.xdrive.com/ is an option.

I used to use them years ago.

Since then, looks like they have been bought by AOL and the service is now free (used to be monthly subscription) and you get 5Gb.

 

[MrRobin]

Thanks everyone. Xdrive looks fairly decent so will give that a go. Thought about all the security issues etc regarding home networks and think it's probably too much hassle right now so will give it a miss

 

[TheFaQQer]

I FTP stuff to my website - not secure, but for a few scripts etc. it works fine. I need to look into making it secure, but haven't got the time at the moment.

Maybe when this gig ends in 12 days...

 

[r0bly0ns]

Thanks everyone. Xdrive looks fairly decent so will give that a go. Thought about all the security issues etc regarding home networks and think it's probably too much hassle right now so will give it a miss

Before you do, do a google for reviews, I may be wrong but I seem to remeber reading a lot of complaints about them when I was looking.

 

[TheFaQQer]

123reg are doing a freebie one too - http://drive.123reg.co.uk

no idea if it's any good or not - I've just signed up for it though!