MS Mesh

[East_coast]

Has anyone used MS Mesh?

https://www.mesh.com/Welcome/overview/overview.aspx

[MrMoo]

Some say it's just an inferior version of Dropbox.

[mr_dimsum]

I've tried Windows Live Mesh, and I'd say it is superior to Dropbox in almost every way. With Live Mesh, you have the ability to select any folders you wish to sync, not just a specified single "Dropbox" folder. Also with Live Mesh, although it has a specified storage limit to its syncing, I've read and seemed to have no issues with unlimited Windows Vista to Vista syncing thus far.. However, don't take my word for it. I don't use it that often!

Asides from that, I think both services are quite dandy and it's really up to your preference. I don't appreciate how Live Mesh seems to auto-start without notifications. It can be easily disabled through CCleaner or msconfig or what not, but it somewhat baffles me why it's not in any options.

Another pro is that Live Mesh actually has an interface window that attaches itself onto folders you've specified to sync that displays recent modifications, members, etc. With Dropbox, there are no information panels - only icons that notify you of its sync status.

I quite live both of these applications - I'd look into others as well. Syncplicity is a nifty one that's similar to Dropbox w/ multi-folder support.

In terms of web interfaces, I quite hate the Live Mesh one, but asides from that - I really have no complains with any of them so far that I've listed.

Rumor has it Google has one coming around the bend, so this will all get very interesting!

[PDLM]

What level of encryption do you guys regard as sufficient for putting your personal stuff on Microsoft's servers? (Or Google's for that matter)

[East_coast]

It is really for my daughter so there is always a back-up of her laptop and if needed she can use the main house PC. May give it a go.

[turtlewax_15]

What level of encryption do you guys regard as sufficient for putting your personal stuff on Microsoft's servers? (Or Google's for that matter)

I'd assume most people using these services are aware of any potential hazards already, but if anyone is willing to try online data storage/backup/syncing services in general, whether paid or not, there is always some type of risk involved in regards to data security (heck, even integrity of the backups in general).. That being said, they are low cost alternatives that would otherwise be cumbersome for people who don't have money or the knowledge to independently backup themselves.

I'd recommend something like Carbonite for people who purely just want online data backup, as they claim all items are fully encrypted, both to and from their servers. For those purists who just solely want backups, this is the way to go and beats DVD-R's anyday (IMO) in terms of integrity.. I hate having have backed up items the easy way out (DVD-R's in this case) and end up having coasters in a couple months to my surprise.

Syncing services such as Dropbox however, don't offer any such security.. Certainly, convenience comes at a price.

Personally speaking, I use Dropbox, Syncplicity, and Live Mesh to backup and share my media, including photographs and music.

[PDLM]

I'd assume most people using these services are aware of any potential hazards already

I think that is a rather heroic assumption.

My guess is that the thought hasn't even crossed their minds in 90% of cases. I envisage people's entire email and document history being online unencrypted and behind a single (and probably rather weak) password system. The opportunities for identity theft, for example, are enormous.

[mr_dimsum]

I think that is a rather heroic assumption.

You are right about the identity theft, but seriously.. If anybody is so anal about it, they shouldn't be posting on forum boards, using identical or nearly similar login, inputting their real addresses, and should be using rotating passwords with capitals, symbols, lowercase characters, numerals, and well, there's way more to list.. But you get the idea. In most cases, even if people are aware of the issues, I'd reckon that most would find using these services enough of a convenience (and to some, a necessity to their daily lives) to continue doing so. I'd extend this onwards to email, etc. as well.

On a side note, I'd like to mention a site called LastPass, a very neat password management system with some pretty solid security features.

In any case, Carbonite and Backblaze are two spiffy online data backups services which claim full encryption, to, from, and while stored. Best of all, they all offer a flat subscription charge for unlimited data. Certainly not like Live Mesh, or Dropbox, but an alternative for some.

Google's GDrive is coming out, so that's another sweet alternative that I'm sure will be pretty solid. And knowing Google, hopefully it'll stay free w/ some good storage limits.

[East_coast]

multpoint file access and cloud based back-ups are two very different requirements. I just want to make sure my daughter always has a back-up of her education docs when she goes off to Uni abroad next year. I suspect she will take her netbook for notes on the fly and we will set her up with a more powerful home PC for serious assignments, just need to make sure there is seemless data exchange between these two (and probably our machine at home in HK for when she flies back). It looks like Mesh is the preferred choice of this very small group?

[turtlewax_15]

I'd say Windows Live Mesh offers the best integration for Windows-based systems. Live Mesh's online interface is a bit clunky in my opinion, but I mean, I've barely had to ever access it.