CLOUD STORAGE

Source: gizmodo.com / Accessed 20/08/2013

In recent years, cloud storage solutions have sprout up everywhere offering free GB worth of storage space. In essence, cloud storage refers to saving your data off site. This is great for a number of reasons, not least of which is the ability to access files from multiple devices (which many people now have) without having to physically move them between the devices (via USB or similar) nor having to email them to yourself (an interesting notion at best!). With it comes some concerns and considerations, however when all weighed up, the benefits are well beyond the concerns. In fact, many sites effectively act as cloud storage for photos (eg Facebook) and music (eg Spotify and iTunes). With careful consideration of your purpose for using cloud storage and an understanding of the terms and conditions, we can all live happily in the clouds... so to speak.

Here's a round up of a few I use and some I've heard about that make sense (to me... from what I've seen... but I haven't actually tried them... yet!):

Source: sheknows.com / Accessed 20/08/2013

With Mountain Lion's iCloud integration on MacBooks and iOS devices, this is a brilliant cloud storage solution. Upgradable for a price (of which I will be look into over the next 6mths). Sometimes opening a file on two devices can confuse you into saving the non-latest version, but the folding and integration is excellent. 5GB comes free and standard with Apple IDs. Love it.

Source: tuaw.com / Accessed 20/08/2013

2GB free and upgradable, a very user friendly cloud storage site. I love the ease at which you can share selected files/folders by a simple link. Great for teachers getting documents to students, and not having to resend updates, and vice-versa.

Source: goodlogo.com / Accessed 20/08/2013

Stores docs without chewing into your quota, and integrates with them. Has it's own app which is excellent for organising files. 15GB free is a whole heap - and one of the largest free storage options.

Source: infoinspired.com / Accessed 20/08/2013

The Microsoft Windows version of cloud storage. Integrates with just about any device and links with Outlook nicely which many businesses run. Many times I've been to conferences where people have stated "wait... I'll just get it from my SkyDrive". Nice.

Source: zdnet.com / Accessed 20/08/2013

5GB free - highly customisable sync features (ie not just one big folder to sync).

Source: thetechstuff.com / Accessed 20/08/2013

10GB free or, wait for it, infinite for $99/year. Wow! Not quite sure I would need infinite storage, but a great point of difference. It's claimed to be a very easy solution for streaming photos, videos and music.

Also, check out BOX and COPY which offer slightly different takes on extending the amount of space, as well as how they handle the files for syncing and on different devices.