Thu 2nd Mar, 2006 - 4shared.com
While doing my friendly-neighborhood internet slinging I came across this site, 4shared.com At first I couldn’t believe it, free file sharing and data storage, 500MB. Well they made me a believer, it’s free and it’s 500MB. I signed up. Sign up couldn’t be simpler, just give an e-mail and a password, that’s it. What’s really cool about the file storage is the interface, it’s basically an XP window, and you get your choice of “folder” or “thumbnail” view like in windows. Very simple interface, maximum upload size is 25MB, although if you have a big file you can split into chunks. Multiple uploads are available for the first 5 days, after that, you have to pay if you want that feature. Now get this, there is no bandwidth limit but a user can only download one file at a time (on the free account.) You can stream video and music and share folders or specific files, either publicly or privately. They offer a lot more features on the paid accounts, but for me the free account works nicely. Plus there’s a forum and a community of file sharers from which you can search and download stuff. All in all, a very nice overall design. Although I wish it had some sort of .Mac app that would let me sync addresses, bookmarks, documents, etc. with ease.
Folder View
Thumbnail View
“Friendly-neighborhood internet slinging”??? WTF??? Without “web” in there it doesn’t make any sense. What the hell is internet slinging? Do you open Safari and then shoot your PowerBook off from an elastic strap?
Now, not to be critical, but personally I can’t find any use for 4shared. Access 500MB from anyware? I can carry that in my pocket. Send someone large files? Yousendit.com is a lot simpler at that…
Jesus, I sound like an asshole. I’m just cranky. It’s been a shitty week.
mm