CloudStor, Dropbox and SkyDrive
Contents
The Cloud 1
File Storage. 1
Large file transfers 2
CloudStor 2
What is CloudStor? 2
To start Cloudstor 2
To Login 3
To send a file, using CloudStor. 3
Dropbox 4
What is Dropbox? 4
To register: 4
To use the Dropbox: 5
Check result in the cloud; 5
To Share a file or folder; 5
To Move & Delete a file; 6
SkyDrive 7
What is SkyDrive? 7
To Open SkyDrive 7
To upload file/s 7
To move file/s 8
To download file/s 8
To Share file/s 8
Desktop application 9
To install the Desktop Application 9
To locate your folder 9
The Cloud
File Storage.
In the past, both software and data had to be stored and processed on your computer or local server.
Now these processes and storage can be done or held on the internet or “the Cloud”.
Cloud based applications and services may support any type of software application or service in use today and can store any data type or size.
Large file transfers
Sending large files[1], can be either hit-and-miss or just impossible. Using attachments, on your local e-mail system, may have file size limits and FTP programs can simply fail to move the file.
There are some Cloud programs can do the job quite efficiently. When you upload your file, the program will temporarily store it and email your recipient/s, giving them a link to download it from the cloud.
Adapted from the CloudStor site.
CloudStor
https://cloudstor.aarnet.edu.au/filesender
What is CloudStor?
CloudStor is the Universities version of a Website that allows the user to send files via email.
The advantage of CloudStor is that you can send very large files without being rejected by the local server.
CloudStor works with Outlook but emails can’t be tracked thru the website.
Cost: Free for UWS staff.
The following introduction has been adapted from the CloudStor welcome page.
CloudStor is a web service for AARNet users[2] to easily and securely send and receive large files, both to and from, other AARNet users as well as to and from "external" users.
Users access the service using their UWS account login.
The service is primarily meant to address the use cases of transferring of large files.
Since the service only keeps temporary copies of the file in transit, it is not intended for the exchange of files that should be permanently available; in particular,
Current restrictions on the use of services are:
· Size of individual files: maximum 100GB
· Individual file storage time is limited to a maximum of 20 days
· Maximum number of recipients for a file is 100
To start Cloudstor
· Open the CloudStor web page https://cloudstor.aarnet.edu.au/filesender/· Click the Logon button. /
To Login
· Locate and click the University of Western Sydney /· Login with your current UWS Login and Password and the Upload page appears. /
To send a file, using CloudStor.
· In the To: box, enter the e-mail address of the file recipient (you can add as many as you wish,
separated by a comma)
· Add a Subject.
· Add a Message.
· Check the Expiry date.
· Browse and Select the file you want to send.
· Press Send
Dropbox
http://www.dropbox.com
What is Dropbox?
Dropbox is a Website that allows the user to store and share files in the cloud.
This can free up the storage requirements of your computer.
You can install a Dropbox on your computer at work and another at home then you can link them together. This means when you drop in a file at work it will be available to see and use at home.
You can also access or share these files from the Website using a browser.
Cost: Free for basic service
To register:
· Go to the website http://www.dropbox.comFrom this page you can do four things.
· Watch an introductory Video
· Sign In if you already have an account.
· Sign up if you already have an account
· Download the Dropbox software.
· It will start a file download and give instructions on the screen to install it.
/
o If the download does not work, go to the Homepage and click on the Download Dropbox link. /
· Follow the instructions to download and then install the Dropbox to connect it to the cloud. /
· When the program is installed, there are two icons that should appear on your computer;
o On the Desktop
In your Quick Launch area /
· Each time you login you will be directed to a new home page that contains the Dropbox tabs. /
To use the Dropbox:
· Locate the file you want to add.· Open Dropbox (on the Desktop) and open the folder you want to put the file in.
Note you can use the standard folders you must create any sub-folders.
· Click, Hold and Drag the file to the foler or sub-folder you want to store it in.
It’s just like dragging a file to a normal folder. /
Check result in the cloud;
· Go to the website http://www.dropbox.com· Login
Your new file should appear here.
To Share a file or folder;
· Go to the website http://www.dropbox.com· Login
Method 1 Link to File/Folder:
· Move your cursor over the File or Folder (in the example, the Photos folder) and click the Share Link j an e-mail box appears.
· In the Names box type the recipients email address.
· In the Message box, include a message if required.
· Click Send
· When the recipient receives the message (in email) they simply click the file link k.
Method 2 Email link for File/Folder:
· Move your cursor over the File or Folder and
click the Share Link j
· Click the Get Link and the location (link) is placed on your
Clipboard.
· Open a new email and paste the link in the message.
To Move & Delete a file;
Because the Dropbox on your Desktop is connected to the Dropbox website, if you move or remove files from her, they will automatically be moved or removed from the website and vice versa.
SkyDrive
https://skydrive.live.com/
What is SkyDrive?
SkyDrive(officiallyMicrosoft SkyDrive, previouslyWindows Live SkyDriveandWindows Live Folders) is afile hosting servicethat allows users to upload and sync files to a cloud storageand then access them from a Web browser, a linked folder or their local device. SkyDrive was designed to work with Smartphones and Tablets as well as a PC. It is part of theWindows Liverange of online services and allows users to keep the files private, share them with contacts, or make the files public. Publicly shared files do not require aMicrosoft accountto access.
The service offers 7GBof free storage for new users. Additional storage is available for purchase. The service is built usingHTML5technologiesand files up to 300MB can be uploaded via drag and drop into the web browseror up to 2GB via the SkyDrive desktop application forMicrosoft WindowsandMac OS X.
From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SkyDrive
The following notes are for uploading and sharing a file (using a PC);
To Open SkyDrive
· Open the SkyDrive site and Sign inhttps://skydrive.live.com/
· If you don’t have a Microsoft login you can join here. /
· When SkyDrive opens you can see three default folders, Documents, Pictures and Public. (Diagram shown in Thumbnail View) /
To upload file/s
· Make sure Files j is selected.· Click the Upload k link.
A File Explorer window will open.
· Locate and select your file/s
· Click Open.
The file/s are uploaded and appear in the SkyDrive window. /
To move file/s
· Drag the document to the folder you want it stored in.To download file/s
· Click once to select each file you want to download. Note:o A tick appears in the top right of the icon when selected.
o More tools appear on the toolbar at the top of the window.
· Click the Download link. /
To Share file/s
· Move the file to the Public folder.· Click on the Public folder to open it.
· Click the Detail icon l and the Details pane will open.
· Under Sharing, click Share Folder and an email box opens.
· In the To box type the recipients email address.
· In the next box, include a message if required.
· Click the Share button.
o If you get a Security message m, click the link.
o Type in the characters n
If you verify your account you will see this less often.
o Press Continue. o
o Click Close.
· Click Done to finish.
· When the recipient receives the message (in email) they simply click the file link p. /
Desktop application
SkyDrive allows you to place a folder on your computer (Desktop) that links directly to the cloud folders. Files placed into this desktop folder automatically appear in the cloud folders.To install the Desktop Application
· Open the SkyDrive site and Sign inhttps://skydrive.live.com/
· Click PCs in the left pane
· Click Download SkyDrive for Windows and the file SkyDriveSetup.exe will appear in the Save As box.
· Save this file (e.g. on the Desktop)
It should open automatically, if not locate the file and double click to run it.
· Follow the installation Wizard, including;
o Your site login.
o Leave the folder location
o Select All files and folders …
Your folder will be linked to the cloud folders /
To locate your folder
· Open the “Computer” folder.· A shortcut to the SkyDrive folder should appear in your Favourites (Navigation Panel). If not …
· The folder is here; C:\Users\Username\SkyDrive
You can create a shortcut on your Desktop to make it more convenient. /
[1] Such as data collected in research projects, sharing of multimedia content and program files or any file above 5m.
[2] AARNet is the Internet system used by the University of Western Sydney (UWS)