atw: Re: On-line file storage

Hi Christine (K)
Before advocating and using off-site, Web based storage, please have your students consider the following: 

1. Lack of data security.
Once your files are out there, beyond your control, you have no credible guarantee that the information in them is in any way secure. Proprietary, private and vital files sent off-site should be encrypted with complex passwords, perhaps as password protected, compressed archives. 

2. Bandwidth / shared network considerations.
ZIP large files for attachment / uploading to reduce their size, not only to minimise load on the network but also to conserve storage space. (No matter how much you get, you will use it up.) Also, if uploading large bundles of files for off-site storage, you might recommend the sending of those files at off-peak times, to reduce load on the LAN, in consideration of other operators. 

3. Blank CD/DVD media makes for fast, easy, safe and affordable storage.
Before going the on-line route, think of using local portable storage media.
Way faster, far more secure (stick saved disks in a small safe at home ? true off-site backups!) For example, a 1 Terrabyte (1024Gb) external, portable hard drive, for use with PC or Mac is available at my local Aldi store for $299.00. You could back up all your students' work to there, stick it in a safe place and forget about the cost in transfer time and Mb allowances on the Web altogether. Aldi even has 8Gb RAM sticks for $50 bucks. Each student could carry their backups on their key rings. Problem solved. I'm sure many PC supplies shops offer similar data storage bargains.
That said, the Web backup option would be handy for occasional remote retrieval and file sharing with overseas or interstate students, provided someone unauthorised wasn't doing the retrieving. 

Hope that helps.

Cheers,

Micky G
Write Ideas

At 12:06 21/09/2008, you wrote:


Thanks for the tips.

<snip>

ck



Michael Granat
Write Ideas
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