Use GMail Account for Big Files Transfer between Computers

GMail Drive shell extension description                                                                                                               

GMail Drive is a Shell Namespace Extension that creates a virtual filesystem around your Google GMail account, allowing you to use GMail as a storage medium.You can save and retrieve files stored on your GMail account directly from inside Windows Explorer.

GMail Drive literally adds a new drive to your computer under the My Computer folder, where you can create new folders, copy and drag'n'drop files to.

Ever since Google started to offer users a GMail e-mail account, which includes storage space of a 1000 megabytes, you have had plenty of storage space but not a lot to fill it up with.

With GMail Drive you can easily copy files to your GMail account and retrieve them again. When you create a new file using GMail Drive, it generates an e-mail and posts it to your account.

The e-mail appears in your normal Inbox folder, and the file is attached as an e-mail attachment. GMail Drive periodically checks your mail account (using the GMail search function) to see if new files have arrived and to rebuild the directory structures.

But basically GMail Drive acts as any other hard-drive installed on your computer.

You can copy files to and from the GMail Drive folder simply by using drag'n'drop like you're used to with the normal Explorer folders.

Because the GMail files will clutter up your Inbox folder, you may wish to create a filter in GMail to automatically move the files (prefixed with the GMAILFS letters) to your archived mail folder.

Or you can create totally new account, dedicated exclusively to the data transfer.

Using the first approach, you can create a rule that puts all your stored files into the Gmail Archive instead, which will keep the Inbox clutter free. All files uploaded using the GMail Drive have a subject that contains the text GMAILFS. Using this text we will create a filter that automatically places any messages with that subject into the Archive.

1. Logon to Gmail. 
2. Click on the Create a filter link which is next to the Search the Web button at the top of the Gmail screen. 
3. In the Create a Filter dialog, enter GMAILFS into the Subject: field. Then press the Next Step button. 
4. Put a checkmark in the Skip the Inbox (Archive it) checkbox and then press the Create Filter button.

Now when you upload a file using Gmail Drive, it will automatically bypass your Inbox and be stored in the Archive. To view the files in the Archive, simply click on the All Mail link in the left hand navigation menu.

Please note that GMail Drive is still an experimental tool. There are still a number of limitations of the file-system:

• Total filename size must be less than 40 characters.
• English characters only in the file names.
• You can't create and edit files directly on the drive - it is only meant to copy or move files there.
• It doesn't make full use of the secure internet protocols available.

Developer Web Site: http://www.viksoe.dk/code/gmail.htm

Video Presentation:

GMail Drive as Free Online Storage

FTP at Hand: Overview for New Users

What is FTP?

FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is the simplest and most secure way to exchange files over the Internet. Whether you know it or not, you most likely use FTP all the time.

The most common use for FTP is to download files from the Internet. Because of this, FTP is the backbone of the MP3 music craze, and vital to most online auction and game enthusiasts. In addition, the ability to transfer files back-and-forth makes FTP essential for anyone creating a Web page, amateurs and professionals alike.

When downloading a file from the Internet you’re actually transferring the file to your computer from another computer over the Internet. This is why the T (transfer) is in FTP. You may not know where the computer is that the file is coming from but you most likely know it’s URL or Internet address.

An FTP address looks a lot like an HTTP, or Website, address except it uses the prefix ftp:// instead of http://.

Most often, a computer with an FTP address is dedicated to receive an FTP connection. Just as a computer that is setup to host Web pages is referred to as a Web server or Website, a computer dedicated to receiving an FTP connection is referred to as an FTP server or FTP site.

What is an FTP Site?

An FTP site is like a large filing cabinet. With a traditional filing cabinet, the person who does the filing has the option to label and organize the files how ever they see fit. They also decide which files to keep locked and which remain public. It is the same with an FTP site.

The virtual ‘key’ to get into an FTP site is the UserID and Password. If the creator of the FTP site is willing to give everyone access to the files, the UserID is ‘anonymous’ and the Password is your e-mail address (e.g. name@domain.com). If the FTP site is not public, there will be a unique UserID and Password for each person who is granted access.

When connecting to an FTP site that allows anonymous logins, you’re frequently not prompted for a name and password. Hence, when downloading from the Internet, you most likely are using an anonymous FTP login and you don’t even know it.

To make an FTP connection you can use a standard Web browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc.) or a dedicated FTP software program, referred to as an FTP ‘Client’.

When using a Web browser for an FTP connection, FTP uploads are difficult, or sometimes impossible, and downloads are not protected (not recommended for uploading or downloading large files).

When connecting with an FTP Client, uploads and downloads couldn’t be easier, and you have added security and additional features. For one, you’re able to to resume a download that did not successfully finish, which is a very nice feature for people using dial-up connections who frequently loose their Internet connection.

What is an FTP Client?

An FTP Client is software that is designed to transfer files back-and-forth between two computers over the Internet. It needs to be installed on your computer and can only be used with a live connection to the Internet.

The classic FTP Client look is a two-pane design. The pane on the left displays the files on your computer and the pane on the right displays the files on the remote computer.

File transfers are as easy as dragging-and-dropping files from one pane to the other or by highlighting a file and clicking one of the direction arrows located between the panes.

Additional features of the FTP Client include: multiple file transfer; the auto re-get or resuming feature; a queuing utility; the scheduling feature; an FTP find utility; a synchronize utility; and for the advanced user, a scripting utility.

How to send SMS to any Skype User for Free?

SMS to Skype is a free service from Connectotel allowing GSM mobile phone users to send Skype instant messages to any Skype user. SMS to Skype uses the standard Skype software. You do not need to install any other software. Your message, including the Skype name, can be up to 160 characters in length. Many phones will show you how many characters you have typed or how many characters you still have remaining in your message, whilst you are typing the message.

Sending a Skype message from your GSM mobile phone

• Select the option on your phone to create a new SMS text message.
• Type the word skype followed by a space.
• Type the Skype name of the recipient followed by a space.
• Type the text of your message
• When asked to type the number, select the SMS to Skype entry from your phone book or type +447747782320.
• Select the option to send the message.

Setting up your mobile phone

• Select the option on your mobile phone to add a new entry to the phone book
• Type the name SMS to Skype
• Type the number +447747782320
• Save the entry to the phone book

Example

You would like to send a Skype message to johndoe from your mobile phone asking him to call you. Here is an example showing how the message should be written:

skype johndoe This is an example message

You would then choose the SMS to Skype entry from your phone book and send the message.

Tip: Many mobile phones allow the creation of template SMS text messages, which can be used instead of having to type the same message each time. Save a template SMS text message for frequently used Skypenames, like this:

skype johndoe