SkyDrive is now my favorite way to share files with others. It works. It’s free. If you need to share files with others–even if on other OSes, I highly recommend it.
The Microsoft service has some rough edges–it’s too hard for new users to get to what you’re trying to share, rearranging folders around is too much work if not impossible at times, and I feel guilty using it because it’s free. Oh, OK. The last point is really not a rough edge, but I couldn’t think of another problem I’m having with it. That’s a good thing, if you’re wondering 🙂
Overall SkyDrive is nice and simple to use. It uses a folder metaphor, which most computer users will be familiar with. And you can set access and upload permissions for each folder as needed. Typically I divide up folders and files I want to share by project and then pick the people I want to give access to. Then I email or IM the URL to the folder and the people on the other end use this to get access to this content. Simple.
I’ve installed the optional drag and drop Active X control in IE to make it faster to upload multiple files. It works pretty well, although it makes me wonder if browsers shouldn’t have a drag and drop notification built in.
I’ve also been wondering if someone has created an automatic backup to SkyDrive app. That sure would seem to be a winner too. I hope someone is working on it.
