CLICK AND DOUBLE CLICK: NEED HARD DRIVE SPACE? CONSIDER ONLINE ALTERNATIVES

Do you have trouble with enough storage space on your computer? If so, the Internet may offer some alternatives.

There are a growing number of sites that offer free storage space. It's a great way to share your data online without sending it via e-mail. If you e-mail large files, it's both time consuming and frustrating to users. Most people don't like to e-mail information larger than 2 megabytes of space.

Online storage is also handy if you're on the road. All your information can be stored in a single place. No additional software or plug-ins are required for many of these sites, and most can be accessed by both Macs or PCs.

OK, let's look at the downside. If you're on the road, the speed of your Internet access on the road may be more limited than work or home, thus causing delays with information retrieval. Also, if the Internet is pokey or simply down, your information is out of reach.

Many of these online storage sites are free. Free is certainly the buzzword for the Internet. These sites stay afloat through advertising or selling additional storage space.

They may also be selling information about you. This is one time you may want to read the fine print. Several of the sites I checked out say they share general demographic information about you, but not your or other specific information. Don't be surprised if your e-mail address use goes up.

They also say they don't look at your stuff, but it's not necessarily secure. I wouldn't recommend keeping confidential information on someone else's server.

www.freedrive.com

You can upload, store, retrieve and share 50 megabytes of any type of data free at this site. That data can be in various forms: Documents, spreadsheets, zip files, databases, images, Mp3 files. They suggest that signing up might be a nice Christmas gift for yourself.

The 50 megs may be a limited-time offer. The FAQs refer to 20 megabytes of storage space for each registered user, which is equivalent to 14 1/2 floppy disks.

Freedrive suggests their site is a great way to back up your data as opposed to the usual solutions: floppy disks, disk drives, e-mail attachments or overnight delivery services. This site considers itself a "virtual briefcase." It's kind of catchy.

There is no need to download any special software for this site. They suggest that families use their site as an alternate, private storage space when multiple family members share the same computer.

Users must have at least a 4.0 version of either Netscape or Internet Explorer. Settings must be Java-enabled and allow for cookies.

www.xdrive.com

X-drive gives members 25 megabtyes of free storage. This drive service allows members to access, store, share, publish and organize files.

It allows members to drop and edit their Internet files, just like local C: drive files. They can be accessed in two ways: Through its Web site from any Internet connected computer or through Windows 95/98 to work within the Windows file explorer. The X: drive then functions like other drives on a computer.

Members can keep some files secure and also share files with family, friends and colleagues.

www.swapdrive.com

Another of these free drive sites is SwapDrive, which offers 25 megs of space without charge. It suggests this service helps to share family photos, store backup files or collaborate on projects.

SwapDrive bills itself as a portable hard drive that travels with you. But in this case, it's located in cyberspace. They suggest the service is great for people who work in two or more locations.

They point out the service is a great alternative to sending files to colleagues via snail mail, floppy disks or file attachments, where information could be delayed or corrupted. In fact, the site grew out of frustrations of team members who were trying to share information at different locations.

mymp3storage.com

Mp3s music files rank right up there with eating up space on your hard drive. Those who use these files often might be interested in a couple places on the Internet that offer free storage of Mp3 files.

This particular site offers 50 megs of free space. Not only can you store your favorite Mp3s, but you can trade them with friends on the site. This site is powered by FreeDrive, which is one of the sites we visited above.

You can listen to and trade your Mp3 collection from any Internet connection. This site specifically mentioned that users of the new Macintosh iMacs will find this storage invaluable.

They also point out that co-workers and friends that share your computer or your network will no longer have access to your Mp3s, unless you want to share. They have quick access to the top Mp3 sites off the front page of this site.

i-drive.com

This is another Internet storage site for Mp3s, photos or other information you want to keep safe and sound. This site is linked to MP3.com and several other music sites. MP3.com seems a good partnership because it is home to more than 154,000 songs from more than 26,000 artists.

I-drive offers 25 megabtyes of free space. With its new Sync feature, the company said you can send whole folders up to your i-drive with a single click.

I-drive uses a free, downloadable software package called Filo. I-drive sideload also allows surfers to save files faster than downloading. You can also check out i-drive cartoons, which demonstrate the simplicity of using i-drive.

What's your favorite storage site on the Internet? E-mail me at click@semissourian.com.

See you in Cyberspace.

~Joni Adams is managing editor of the Southeast Missourian newspaper.