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Introduction - Livedrive is financed by Andrew Michael. Andrew created Fasthosts Internet Limited, the UK's main and most well known Internet provider which was sold in 2006 for over 120 million dollars. Andrew commented: "Online storage is the future. Lots of companies are trying to do it today but the products are crap and not a replacement for traditional storage methods. Livedrive has been over two years in the making and will be the standard by which all competing products are judged". Livedrive has 2 editions: LiveDrive Backup and LiveDrive Briefcase (Pro). The basic edition offers backup of unlimited internet enabled devices and an unlimited quantity of data. The Briefcase or Pro version retains all the functionality of the basic edition but also provides sharing and synchronization of data from unlimited internet enabled devices. Security Abilities - LiveDrive provides 128bit SSL encrypted access to their web portal along with password protection for your account. Data transfer to and from the central servers is protected with 256bit AES encryption – the most secure encryption we have found for information transfers. Once at their data centers, your files are managed with 256 AES encryption (that's military grade) and you can setup your own private key to manage the encryption if you wish. As for the servers, your data is stored on military grade servers in diverse data centers. These were originally only in the UK, however, since expanding their service to other global regions, they have also broadened their network of data centers which makes your data more secure. Backup Abilities - A really notable features of LiveDrive Backup is that it is genuinely unlimited. We have been using LiveDrive for a couple of years now and have backed up many terabytes of data. Including files on the backup schedule is as easy as right-clicking the file or folder and choosing ‘add to backup’ from the LiveDrive submenu. Once added to the archive schedule, files are examined for amendments and scheduled for archiving when they are altered. File versioning is automatically enabled on any files within the backup set and are permitted up to 30 copies of the same file. Open files are also backed up regularly and due to the ‘block level incrementation’ ability just the amended bits of files are sent and these are then used to create a new version of the file. This precess hugely reduces the total amount of information that must be uploaded. Network drives and removable devices such as pen drives or other USB products can also be backed up. {There is a progress indicator|A progress indicator is included| and status messages so you know what is being archived and what is awaiting to be uploaded. Restore Abilities - you can restore up to 30 different editions of any file you have backed up by entering the web portal, choosing the file you wish to restore and choosing the version of the file via the timestamp. Once selected simply select where you would like the file restored to and the service will start the restore process. Simple. Easy. Painless. Control and Analysis - There are individual upload and download bandwidth throttling controls in the desktop client but no CPU controls. Socks Proxy servers are supported which is crutial if you are in a public environment and must get to the internet via a proxy server. You can also set priorities of types of files, so if you are slowly uploading your entire music collection, you may have to configure word docs and other file types before video files so that your more vital data is backed up faster. Interface - LiveDrive merges extremely well with the desktop on PC and MAC. It provides a system tray icon to give fast access to information and option screens. The web site is really easy to navigate and use. There are several collaboration, file sharing and synchronization options dedicated to the pro version of LiveDrive called Briefcase. Devices do need the client software installed to run LiveDrive but this is a no hassle and straightforward process that takes a few minutes to download and configure. Device Support - At the moment LiveDrive supports Microsoft Windows – XP and up; MAC OS 10.5+; iPhone OS 3.0+; Blackberry and any web-enabled device via the web portal. Limitations - We have found no limitations with LiveDrive. Collaboration and Synchronization - If you use the Pro or Briefcase edition of LiveDrive then you have access to a host of collaboration and synchronization tools added to your unlimited online backup solution. When you enable the Briefcase option a logical drive is created on every device and this is where you store all your shared files. By default the drive letter it L: however this can be changed using the client software. Any file that is moved or copied to this logical drive gets copied to the web portal and from there to the other devices that have the briefcase feature activated and are setup for the same LiveDrive Account. File conflicts are configurable and can be set to carry out an automatic option of your choice or to ask what to do with each issue. There is also a beta ability called ‘LAN synching’ which allows devices on the same network (for example you may use a MAC, netbook and Blackberry all using the same hub) to synch data inside your network instead of uploading every change to the internet and back. This is a really efficient ability especially if you have tons of files that you need to initially update on one or several devices. Another very useful ability of the Briefcase is the option to employ a local copy of all your data on the logical shared drive. This means you have access to the virtual drive even when you are offline. When you re-connect to the internet, all changed files will be updated on the web site and changes are pushed out to the other devices as and when they also go online. File Sharing - File sharing is possible in the web site and in the client software - if running the Briefcase edition. Simply pick the file or folder you need to share, select the share hyperlink and then choose to share privately or publically. Public File Sharing means anyone with the correct web address access the file. If this option is chosen, you will be given a unique website address for every file. Which can then be distributed to anyone you wish. Private File Sharing allows only friends you choose have access to the file. If you choose this option then you must enter the email addresses for every person you need to have access to the file. You can also insert a specific message to provide more information about the file you are giving access to. The system then emails all of the addresses previously provided providing general information, your personal message and a unique web address for each file being shared. Web 2.0 Integration - LiveDrive has a music and video player built into the web portal, as well as a slideshow function. LiveDrive is also connected to several internet applications including: Facebook, Flickr, SmugMug, Photo Flexer, Zoho, Spibd, PicNik and others. This means you can get to and update most of your files directly from the web site. Customer Support - There is no telephone or online chat support. However, not counting wanting to ask obscure questions (which we did via email) we have never needed to talk directly to LiveDrive’s support. There is an email form in the desktop software and on the web portal which they reply to very promptly in our experience. The Forum and Blog are very useful ways to get information or get questions answered from both other users as well as from LiveDrive’s tech. support team. The FAQ and knowledgebase are handy for general questions as is the demo on their website and there are case studies available on their website. A free version is not available yet a 14 day free trial is offered on both types of account. Learning curve - LiveDrive is extremely easy to use. After paying for your subscription, you can instantly download the desktop software to your internet enabled devices and either start backing up your information or – if you have chosen the far more useful Briefcase edition – start moving files to your virtual drive. Restores and file sharing are very easy to configure and integrating with internet services to change data while on the move couldn’t be easier. Cost Initial setup: Free 14 day trial Monthly plan costs: Basic - $6.95/mth; Pro - $16.95/mth Yearly plan costs: Basic - $69.50 / yr; Pro - $169.50 / yr Initial allowed storage amount: Unlimited Cost of additional storage: No cost Cost of additional devices / users: No cost Referral Program: Yes E-billing facility: Yes Final Word - LiveDrive is a great archiving tool, it hides away cleanly and only alerts you when intervention is required. If you choose the Briefcase version then the load of abilities you receive easily rationalizes the extra cost. With the broad range of integration with internet toys and internet apps. you have a complete online storage and workspace which automatically syncs with all your online devices. For small businesses this is a great way to connect your employees together and keep your projects up-to-date. For individuals it is a brilliant way to keep a secure centralized storage place for all your data. There are cheaper Online Storage and Online Backup solutions on the market; yet, I there are not better ones. LiveDrive’s unique infusion of easy interaction and many functions make it a sure winner. If that is not enough, if you select the yearly plan, you will receive 2 months free and an extra ten percent off FOR LIFE!
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