Need to share a great full-res digital photo, a PDF proof book or Adobe PSD layout? Attaching files larger than 1Mb to an email has a 50-50 chance of getting through. Either the receiving mail server mysteriously deletes the email, or it locks up the other person’s computer while they wait for the file attachment to download. Even if it finally gets through, it isn’t polite to lock up someone else’s computer.

Here are three FREE solutions:

Dropbox. Up to 2GB of file space for free, but you need to register and install the application. Works on Mac or PC. Betsy Flinn has started using this service, and she really likes it. Read her review.

Sendspace. Free version allows files up to 300Mb. You upload a file, copy and paste the link in an e-mail, and send. File stays up for 30 days, no registration required, no software to install. Here’s a test image I uploaded in less than 10 seconds for you to try. Note the ugly ads you have to look at, which is how they offer the service for free.

Drop.io is very popular with the online community. The free version only allows files up to 100Mb, but you don’t need to register or install any software. Click this link to see what your customer would see – again same image, much cleaner look.

After trying all three,

• I recommend the free version of Drop.io for sharing an image or two with customers.
• I recommend Dropbox for collaborating on images or sharing with family and friends.
• If you just need to send a large file to a non-client quickly, Sendspace is worth remembering.

Of course, when sending images to JD, always use ROES, LabPrints or our FTP service.

Tags: software

permalink |

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 9th, 2009 at 9:53 am and is filed under software. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.