CloudStor, Dropbox and SkyDrive

ContentsThe Cloud....................................................................................................................... 1

File Storage.............................................................................................................1Large file transfers..................................................................................................2

CloudStor........................................................................................................................ 2What is CloudStor?..................................................................................................2

To start Cloudstor.................................................................................................2To Login...............................................................................................................3To send a file, using CloudStor.............................................................................3

Dropbox.......................................................................................................................... 4What is Dropbox?....................................................................................................4

To register:...........................................................................................................4To use the Dropbox:.............................................................................................5Check result in the cloud;.....................................................................................5To Share a file or folder;.......................................................................................5To Move & Delete a file;.......................................................................................6

SkyDrive......................................................................................................................... 7What is SkyDrive?....................................................................................................7

To Open SkyDrive................................................................................................7To upload file/s.....................................................................................................7To move file/s.......................................................................................................8To download file/s................................................................................................8To Share file/s......................................................................................................8

Desktop application.................................................................................................9To install the Desktop Application........................................................................9To locate your folder............................................................................................9

The CloudFile Storage.In the past, both software and data had to be stored and processed on your computer or local server. Now these processes and storage can be done or held on the internet or “the Cloud”. Cloud based applications and services may support any type of software application or service in use today and can store any data type or size.

Large file transfersSending large files1, can be either hit-and-miss or just impossible. Using attachments, on your local e-mail system, may have file size limits and FTP programs can simply fail to move the file.There are some Cloud programs can do the job quite efficiently. When you upload your file, the program will temporarily store it and email your recipient/s, giving them a link to download it from the cloud.Adapted from the CloudStor site.

CloudStor https://cloudstor.aarnet.edu.au/filesender

What is CloudStor?CloudStor is the Universities version of a Website that allows the user to send files via email. The advantage of CloudStor is that you can send very large files without being rejected by the local server.CloudStor works with Outlook but emails can’t be tracked thru the website.Cost: Free for UWS staff.

The following introduction has been adapted from the CloudStor welcome page.

CloudStor is a web service for AARNet users2 to easily and securely send and receive large files, both to and from, other AARNet users as well as to and from "external" users. Users access the service using their UWS account login.The service is primarily meant to address the use cases of transferring of large files.Since the service only keeps temporary copies of the file in transit, it is not intended for the exchange of files that should be permanently available; in particular,

Current restrictions on the use of services are: Size of individual files: maximum 100GB Individual file storage time is limited to a maximum of 20 days Maximum number of recipients for a file is 100

To start Cloudstor

Open the CloudStor web page https://cloudstor.aarnet.edu.au/filesender/

Click the Logon button.

1 Such as data collected in research projects, sharing of multimedia content and program files or any file above 5m.2 AARNet is the Internet system used by the University of Western Sydney (UWS)

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To Login Locate and click the University

of Western Sydney

Login with your current UWS Login and Password and the Upload page appears.

To send a file, using CloudStor.

In the To: box, enter the e-mail address of the file recipient (you can add as many as you wish, separated by a comma)

Add a Subject. Add a Message. Check the Expiry date. Browse and Select the file you want to send. Press Send

Dropboxhttp://www.dropbox.com

What is Dropbox?Dropbox is a Website that allows the user to store and share files in the cloud. This can free up the storage requirements of your computer. You can install a Dropbox on your computer at work and another at home then you can link them together. This means when you drop in a file at work it will be available to see and use at home.You can also access or share these files from the Website using a browser.

Cost: Free for basic serviceTo register: Go to the website http://www.dropbox.com

From this page you can do four things.

Watch an introductory Video

Sign In if you already have an account.

Sign up if you already have an account

Download the Dropbox software.

It will start a file download and give instructions on the screen to install it.

o If the download does not work, go to the Homepage and click on the Download Dropbox link.

Follow the instructions to download and then install the Dropbox to connect it to the cloud.

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When the program is installed, there are two icons that should appear on your computer;o On the Desktop

In your Quick Launch area

Each time you login you will be directed to a new home page that contains the Dropbox tabs.

To use the Dropbox: Locate the file you want to add. Open Dropbox (on the Desktop) and

open the folder you want to put the file in.Note you can use the standard folders you must create any sub-folders.

Click, Hold and Drag the file to the foler or sub-folder you want to store it in.

It’s just like dragging a file to a normal folder.

Check result in the cloud; Go to the website http://www.dropbox.com Login

Your new file should appear here.

To Share a file or folder; Go to the website http://www.dropbox.com Login

Method 1 Link to File/Folder: Move your cursor over the File or Folder (in the example, the Photos folder)

and click the Share Link an e-mail box appears.

In the Names box type the recipients email address. In the Message box, include a message if required. Click Send

When the recipient receives the message (in email) they simply click the

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file link .

Method 2 Email link for File/Folder: Move your cursor over the File or Folder and

click the Share Link Click the Get Link and the location (link) is placed on your

Clipboard. Open a new email and paste the link in the message.

To Move & Delete a file;Because the Dropbox on your Desktop is connected to the Dropbox website, if you move or remove files from her, they will automatically be moved or removed from the website and vice versa.

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SkyDrive https://skydrive.live.com/

What is SkyDrive?SkyDrive (officially Microsoft SkyDrive, previously Windows Live SkyDrive and Windows Live Folders) is a file hosting service that allows users to upload and sync files to a cloud storage and then access them from a Web browser, a linked folder or their local device. SkyDrive was designed to work with Smartphones and Tablets as well as a PC. It is part of the Windows Live range of online services and allows users to keep the files private, share them with contacts, or make the files public. Publicly shared files do not require a Microsoft account to access.The service offers 7 GB of free storage for new users. Additional storage is available for purchase. The service is built using HTML5 technologies and files up to 300 MB can be uploaded via drag and drop into the web browser or up to 2 GB via the SkyDrive desktop application for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X.

From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SkyDrive

The following notes are for uploading and sharing a file (using a PC);

To Open SkyDrive Open the SkyDrive site and Sign in

https://skydrive.live.com/

If you don’t have a Microsoft login you can join here.

When SkyDrive opens you can see three default folders, Documents, Pictures and Public. (Diagram shown in Thumbnail View)

To upload file/s Make sure Files is selected. Click the Upload link.

A File Explorer window will open. Locate and select your file/s Click Open.

The file/s are uploaded and appear in the SkyDrive window.

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To move file/s Drag the document to the folder you

want it stored in.

To download file/s Click once to select each file you want

to download. Note:o A tick appears in the top right of

the icon when selected.o More tools appear on the toolbar at

the top of the window. Click the Download link.

To Share file/s Move the file to the Public folder. Click on the Public folder to open it. Click the Detail icon and the

Details pane will open. Under Sharing, click Share Folder

and an email box opens.

In the To box type the recipients email address.

In the next box, include a message if required.

Click the Share button.

o If you get a Security message , click the link.

o Type in the characters If you verify your account you will see this less often.

o Press Continue.

o Click Close. Click Done to finish.

When the recipient receives the message (in email) they simply click the file link .

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Desktop applicationSkyDrive allows you to place a folder on your computer (Desktop) that links directly to the cloud folders. Files placed into this desktop folder automatically appear in the cloud folders.To install the Desktop Application

Open the SkyDrive site and Sign inhttps://skydrive.live.com/

Click PCs in the left pane Click Download SkyDrive for

Windows and the file SkyDriveSetup.exe will appear in the Save As box.

Save this file (e.g. on the Desktop)It should open automatically, if not locate the file and double click to run it.

Follow the installation Wizard, including;o Your site login.o Leave the folder locationo Select All files and folders …

Your folder will be linked to the cloud foldersTo locate your folder

Open the “Computer” folder. A shortcut to the SkyDrive folder

should appear in your Favourites (Navigation Panel). If not …

The folder is here; C:\Users\Username\SkyDrive

You can create a shortcut on your Desktop to make it more convenient.

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