How to Transfer Large Files Over the Internet

It’s happening more and more. We suddenly send a file with an attachment and it sits clogging our outbox going nowhere fast. It’s usually not a problem with text documents, but as cameras run a mega pixel race it’s increasingly more common to have even a few photos exceed your email service provider’s limit. How can we best transfer large files over the Internet?

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. One of the simplest ways is to upload files to your current website. The process works well with image and MS Office files. I use the site management function in Dreamweaver. At one point, I used to use MS Front Page to upload, but that software was discontinued in late 2006. Once the file is posted, send the link with your site’s URL followed by a slash, the file name and extension. Your recipient needs to have the appropriate software on his computer to open your file. To save it, right click in Windows and choose Save As. Here’s an example of a JPG from one of my sites http://www.checkmatepictures.com/clinton.jpg Unfortunately, this method doesn’t work well with video files or MP3 files since these files trigger an automatic response from a player.

2. Another easy process is to use File Transfer Protocol, FTP. The procedure is simple. You log on to a site with a user name and password, then upload a file or two. Send an email to your desired recipient with the site link. The recipient logs on then transfers the files to her own computer. In Windows this can be as simple as opening the file on the site, then opening the destination on the computer and dragging and dropping back and forth. There are public FTP sites available, but they permit access to anybody who logs on. If you’d like to protect the privacy of your files and have frequent need for this service an inexpensive solution is to establish a site through GoDaddy.com. It takes $9.99 to register, and $3.99 a month to hose. If you take your current site name and add ftp to the end such as changing www.CheckmatePictures.com to www.CheckmatePicturesFTP.com the chances are overwhelming that you’ll establish a unique URL. Within the site you can then establish folders for each of your clients. True, there will be only one log on and password, but you can protect your clients’ privacy by only placing the uploads there for a limited amount of time.

3. One method I use regularly is through SendThisFile.com. Membership is required, but the basic package is free. Paid members have quicker up and downloads. You upload your file to a server. An email is sent to your recipient. If she is a member, she logs on, then download the file. Although I’ve posted and received a lot of video through this site, I’ve yet to bump into a limit although nothing I’ve transferred is longer than a compressed half hour.

4. Another process to use is a peer to peer file sharing protocol like BitTorrent which is a far more complex way of transferring files. If a large file is distributed through BitTorrent it is usually stored in pieces on multiple computers that are hooked up via the Internet. Since the original file is stored in several locations, this reduces the cost in hardware and bandwidth. It also provides redundancy. People who want to obtain the file, must first get the metadata that controls the download. That then connects to recipient's computer to what is termed the tracker which will determine the order of the specific pieces of the file. BitTorrent software is free and the site boasts that it has thousands of free videos movies and games to download.

[resetario]

on 6/12/2009 another good way is uorale.com
It's like msn but only for transfer files

[stiantf]

on 10/23/2008 Use a service like Filemail.com - no membership required. You can send files up to 2 GB.