Cloud Engines Pogoplug

Once everything is set up, simply log on to www.pogoplug.com to access all the files on the drive you attached. You can even upload files remotely, which makes the Pogoplug a perfect conduit for backing up pictures or documents accrued on the road. The Pogoplug Web site even has a convenient media player, so you can access your media without having to save it to your PC, though you may, of course, download files if you wish. You can share your files with others who have a Pogoplug account--and you can allow others to log on with your user name and password, if you're the trusting sort. A stand-alone local client that eliminates the need for a Web browser is available for PCs, Macs, and even iPhones.

Any number of online services allow you to share files, but Pogoplug is easier. I especially like the convenience of leaving my power-hungry PC and NAS box off and still accessing files while I'm away.

--Jon L. Jacobi