Windows Live SkyDrive ( Beta )

[PoBoy]

Windows Live SkyDrive Beta

Password-protected online file storage. Always available where you need it.

... Third, we’re excited to introduce SkyDrive in two additional regions: UK and India.

Note for existing beta users: if you’ve sent or posted links using Windows Live Folders, you will need to update your links due to changes in our URLs with this release.

500 MB of free online storage, available from any computer with Internet access.
Create personal, shared, and public folders -- you decide who has access to each folder.
Windows Live SkyDrive works well on any Windows or Macintosh computer with Firefox 1.5 or higher, or Internet Explorer 6 or higher.

Your personal folders are password-protected with your Windows Live ID, so only you have access.
When you create a shared folder, the friends you're sharing with need to sign in with their own Windows Live ID and password.
Just like at your online bank, all file transfers are protected using Secure Socket Layers (SSL).

 

[PoBoy]

Google, Microsoft and Apple building online storage havens: you win

The free beta service offers up to 500MB of online storage for nearly anything, not just e-mail and web albums like Google's offering. With a revamped UI that integrates into Windows, users can drag and drop files and browse the public directories on the SkyDrives of other users.

The Windows Experience Blog : Store your files in “the cloud†with Windows Live SkyDrive

So what's Windows Live SkyDrive? Windows Live SkyDrive is a brand new Windows Live service that gives users 500MB of web space for the storing and sharing of files. Think of it as a personal "harddrive" on the internet - or "the cloud". By default, you get several protected directories which you can store your files in. These directories are completed protected from the public. Only you can view them. However, Windows Live SkyDrive allows you create or choose specific folders to share with everyone (Public folders) or specific people on your Windows Live Contacts list. You can set specific permissions for those viewing your folders as well - such as someone who can contribute (add and remove files) or someone who is simply just a reader. Your Public folder allows ONLY reader permissions for the public in viewing files within the folder. No need to worry about people maxing out your account with files... For those who've been using the beta of Windows Live SkyDrive, today's changes and updates include the new Windows Live UI (header), improved file upload, thumbnails in folder views, and a section for visited SkyDrive folders from other people.