Ubuntu One - cloud storage

Jagera

Is anyone using this?

I set one up a few months ago just to give the cloud storage a go, I don't really need it, but as its built into Ubuntu, then why not.

I would rate it about somewhere between zero and two out of ten. They even require a status page, to tell you which service is running & which is not.

I tried Dropbox, and its excellent so far. Sits nicely on my Android 2.2, several Linux machines, and the work Windows machine. I still don't need it, but the difference in service is enormous.

Khannie

I used their ubuntu one mobile for a month. Needed some cloud storage space when shifting to android. That set me back 3 euro. Haven't used the actual ubuntu one desktop service though.

Drop box looks to be mostly the same thing. What was it about ubuntu one that you didn't like?

Jagera

I few things really, all culminating in a service I just couldn't rely on 100%

- The synchronising between machines was never done smoothly
- Their so-called "Contacts" synchronising just never worked for me, and I stopped trying after about 3 "workarounds"
- Only works on Linix, and a Windows BETA (dropbox is available on more devices)
- I accidentally deleted a file, and am told it remains in the trash for 1 week. Try finding the trash..
- EDIT: and sharing is a pain.... The person must create a Ubuntu One account

Dropbox, and others I will add, are the exact same service. It's just Ubuntu One is unreliable, buggy and not worth risking your files on. I would have preferred to stick with it, as I'm using 2 different Ubuntu-based distro's.

I never tried their other stuff like the music store, or bookmark synching.

If they sort their service out, I'll potentially go back to them, but for now.. no.

Naikon

I don't like either of em. USB key + GPG + safe = decent.

Grudaire

Dropbox can be very useful for sharing files. Bringing a USB around isn't always the best option (you can forget it, you may use it on PC's with viruses, etc). To share files with people you then need to email them a copy.

Having a dropbox account with a shared file you can edit the file and they will have the updated file when they log in. No messing around clogging up your email with putdated versions of a document.

imo

Feelgood

Dropbox is the business alright, it does what it says on the tin.

There are also some amazing dropbox front end apps coming out now, like notepads and organisers that use your dropbox storage space. Very clever stuff.

Jagera

Naikon wrote: »

I don't like either of em. USB key + GPG + safe = decent.

Both cloud and USB have their good & bad points. I have been using my 2.5" 500Gb as a portable drive for years. I have absolutely everything on it. All computers I use back up onto it (using rsync or xcopy).

I am new to cloud storage, but here's my comparison summary so far:

USB

• its available on virtually any computer, no need for an internet connection
• more space
• easy access on most computers: as long as you remember to bring it.
• I don't synchronise, files are "pushed" onto it, so if I delete from the main location, its always on the USB drive.
• Using the push method means I can easily have duplicates if I decide to shuffle folders around

Cloud

• Simpler for synchronising. It's all done in the background.
• Data is available quicker on the various devices (relying on internet connection though)
• Only available on selected devices, with USB I can just plug in.

There's probably more to list, but thats just a start..

Given that, I am using cloud for files that I want to have access to immediately (specifically on my android phone), so I put my CV, copies of important documents (passport ,drivers, stuff like that) are on cloud, the rest is on the USB..

Goodshape

What if you drop the harddrive? :-S. Don't think I'd trust a portable harddrive as my backup.. would need to be stationary, solid state, or both.

I use Dropbox to backup and share documents with work colleagues -- and the sharing is probably where the emphasis is. Thinking about it... I guess I don't really *do* active backups anymore. I'm more interested in using services that take care of that without me thinking about it. If I lost my machine tomorrow, I know the vast majority of my stuff is safe and still available to me. Docs and mail are with Google, client lists, project tasks and tracking is with Harvest, music is with Spotify and Grooveshark, code is on GitHub and Springloops.

This Internet thing's gonna be huge some day, just you wait and see.

Jagera

Goodshape wrote: »

What if you drop the harddrive? :-S

I have a 2.5" portable, and a 3.5" which gets backed up onto every month or so.. I am well sorted.