Home Office: Smart Ways to Transfer Big Files
Wormholes, media mail, USB drives, and a July 4th anagram.
Steve Bass
In the July issue of the print magazine, I wrote about how to transfer files from here to there and to and fro. There was lots that didn't fit, so this week I thought I'd show you some other novel ways to send files.
First, an Annoyance
Believe it or not, I'm writing a book. It's about how to fix the biggest PC annoyances. So I want you to tell me the things about your computer that just drive you crazy. Send me your best gripes, and include a solution if you have one. For sure you'll get fame--and if all goes well and I get famous, I'll send each contributor to Hawaii, all expenses paid! [Editor: Don't believe him. He's lying about the trip.]
Now, Let's Transfer
The topic of file transfers fascinates me because I often have to send large files to my user group newsletter printer and to a book editor. Attaching the files to e-mail isn't possible--my ISP's mail server gags at anything over 4MB. Take a few minutes and see some of the methods I recommended in my print column, "Move Big Files Without Breaking a Sweat."
In that column I mention transferring files using instant messaging programs like AOL's AIM or Trillian. While that's good for some people, businesses that regularly transfer lots of files don't need the extra features that come with IM clients. A better method is straight-out peer to peer. When they work the way they should, peer-to-peer file transfers are handy, especially with a high-speed Internet connection.
Open a Wormhole
The one peer-to-peer program I've experimented with is CrystalFire's Wormhole, a no-frills, low-cost way for two PCs (or even a PC and a Mac, for goodness sake) to share files. Load the program and a small box appears. Your buddy does the same at the other end. Drag and drop a file and through the miracle of technology, the file passes through the ether and lands on your buddy's PC. BTW, one of Wormhole's killer features is the ability to transfer the text contents of the clipboard from a PC to a Mac. (I'm guessing this is illegal, even between consenting adults. Check your local and state laws to be sure.) [Note to editor: This is a joke.]
I tried a beta and, with a little fiddling, got it to work. Wormhole's really designed for transfers between people on the same local-area network, but the product can be used over the Internet. Fair warning, though: If you're using a router or are behind a corporate firewall, the fiddling factor increases. For details, go to the company's Web site and read the FAQ.
Until August 1, the cost is $10 per computer; then it goes up to $15. Either way, you can try Wormhole for 30 days before buying.
Don't Miss It: It's been a while since I threw you an anagram game to bring along to your Fourth-of-July picnic. This time I've used Independence Day theme words and made the puzzler short, but deadly--enough so that you'll cry uncle before you're halfway through. The puzzle is in a Rich Text Format document so you can open it in any word processor. The questions are on one page, the answer on the next.
Slowpoke Connection? Try This...
Okay, what about you folks wanting to share, say, a 60MB video, but you're stuck on a dial-up connection? I have an idea for you, too.
The easiest thing to do is spend a couple of bucks, burn the file onto a CD, and snail-mail it. Use the U.S. Postal Service's Media Mail for a cheap rate. This is unglamorous, yes--but CD-R drives are ubiquitous and the discs are big enough to handle more than 700MB of data. If you're really frugal, use SneakerNet to bring the CD to your buddy. Heck, you could even invite your buddy to your home office to view the video. But that's oh so technologically backwards, I don't even want you to consider it, okay?
Transporting, Not Transferring
Some of you may have no interest in transferring files: You might be more inclined to take files with you to, say, a client's office (maybe a PowerPoint presentation) or, in my case, along to a user group meeting. Sure you could burn a CD, but a cooler way is to use a USB flash drive, a lipstick-size gizmo that attaches to any USB port. I have an older Jmtek Flash USBDrive that came with a USB cable (so I don't have to constantly crawl under the desk), and built-in password protection. But it's tiny--I found a new one with 128MB of RAM for $50 (plus shipping) on the PCWorld.com Product Finder. (And for $130, you can get a 128MB USBDrive with a very cool feature--it reads Secure Digital and MultiMediaCard media from your PDA or digital camera.)
Fair Warning: Pricing on these devices isn't stable (and neither am I, but that's another story), so you may not find the same prices. In fact, a week after I wrote this newsletter, the 128MB drive wasn't available on our Product Finder--though it may well be when you read this. My advice? When you see something you like, grab it.
Dig This: Okay, I know I did something about cats a few weeks ago, but "Tailor for Cats" from Japan is over the top. BTW, this site came from one of my favorite columnists (and a guy I try to emulate), Jon Carroll from the San Francisco Chronicle. I encourage you to read a few of his columns.
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