Internet storage is becoming increasingly popular to corporations and individual computer users. The idea of uploading all of your data to an online server and not ever having to worry about its condition is very appealing, but not always accurate.
Advantages of Internet storage -
- Your data is safe from accidentally erasing it
- It is inexpensive compared to buying hardware
- It is accessible from any computer
- You can easily share information with friends
Disadvantages of Internet storage -
- Anyone who hacks into your storage site has access to your data
- If the company goes out of business you have the potential of losing all your data
- After extended use the price may be higher than the initial cost of hardware
- No internet connection, no data access
Two of these Internet storage sites I have evaluated and are listed below.
The price is a little expensive compared to other sites, $2/GB, but the flexibility makes it almost worth it. They only charge for what is used. This is great especially for a small up starting business. When the business has no idea of the amount of storage that is needed this could very well be the way, at least till they have an idea of their need.
Registration is easy and only requires basic company information, user information, and of course credit card information.
Other features that this site offers are continuous backups, web file sharing, and file versioning.
AOL's Xdrive gives away a free 5 GB of space with no ties attached. For students or the Internet hobbyist this would be a great plan. For $9.95 / month you will receive 50 GB, or, if you pay yearly you can get the same 50 GB for $99.50. Unfortunately, if you want more space then you have to buy it in 50 GB increments.
Registration is easy and only requires user information and credit card information.
Other features that this site offers are two different types of control panels you can download, organize music into playlists, and organize pictures into photo albums.
A corporation using Internet storage and extras such as geographic mirroring and load balancing can benefit greatly from a global online storage system. The storage infrastructure can benefit the company with quick online access, reduction of IT expenditures, and data security.
Would I recommend Internet storage to a friend? It would depend on the uses that that friend needs it for. Many sites offer a sizeable amount of storage for free. If my friend is in school and is looking for a way to transfer files from home to the at-school lab, then yes, I would make the recommendation. I would, however, also recommend a hard backup at home. This way if something does happen to the Internet storage site his/her data is secure and not lost.
References:
Coates, (May 21, 2001). Internet storage boosts Web sites [Electronic version]. Network World 18(21), 37. Retrieved March 30, 2008, from ProQuest database.
