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If you need to send a large file to someone without using email, you may want to know what services and tools are available without needing tech knowledge or using file transfer protocol (FTP).
Using the email attachment approach for files that are larger than one megabyte isn't effective and it may never reach the recipient because some Internet providers don't allow large files through. It also hogs the recipient's email as it takes time to download depending on the file size, the person's Internet connection speed and recipient's host provider.
Private P2P file sharing tools like Grouper, TrustyFiles or even Groove, QNext and several others are possible solutions, but they are not as popular or as easy to adopt for users needing to send a large file on an occasional basis.
Thankfully, several vendors have recognized the need for a Web-based file exchange service to answer this market demand, and offer products ranging from bare-bones file uploading services (targeted mostly to individuals and home users) to fully customizable secure online file storage and distribution systems. Of course, the price tag differs for each of these levels of sophistication with available options for each budget level.
If you have experience with these and other vendors (we're adding more — there's a lot of them!), please share them in the comments section.
Here are some of the large-file-exchange Web services and their most important features.
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13) PipeBytes
PipeBytes in a web-based tool that anyone can use to share files, with no size limitation. If you want to send a file, just click the "Send" button, browse for you file, and click "Upload". You will be provided with a pick-up code, or simply with a pick-up URL, that will connect your and your friend's computer to send the file directly, with no uploading process. Free to use, no registration needed.
http://www.pipebytes.com/
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12) HotShare
Hotshare is an online hosting solution that you can use to share any type of file (music, videos, pictures, zip, rar, docs...).
Without even registering, you are able to
upload all the files you want up to 200MB-each, and to get a download link that you can share via email or IM, to allow anyone of your friends or team-mates to get the file.
Price: Free
Multiple pickup: Yes
Delivery receipt: No
Virus scan: No
Compression: No
Encryption: No
Secure site: Yes
Expiration period: Never
Maximum file size: 200MB
Web site integration: No
Pros: No registration is needed
Cons: You cannot register and get your personal page to organize your files
http://hotshare.net
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11) Driveway
http://www.driveway.com/
Driveway is an online file sharing system that allows you to share big files, and also to collaborate with others on documents, presentations, spreadsheets.
You can upload an unlimited number of files, up to 500 MB, and share them with everyone via email or by giving them a URL, in read only or in edit mode, inviting your team's members to review all of your .doc, .xls, .ppt files.
To start using it, no registration is needed and it is free.
Price: Free
Multiple pickup: Yes
Delivery receipt: Yes
Virus scan: No
Compression: No
Encryption: No
Secure site: Yes
Expiration period: Never
Maximum file size: 500MB
Web site integration: No
Pros: Has a progress bar to show how much of the file has uploaded. You can let other people edit your files. No registration needed
Cons: You can't organize your updated files
