Online backups used to be a dull industry with little to no innovation. Files were selected from the desktop or laptop, and uploaded to a remote server. But then companies such as SugarSync and SpiderOak came along and started innovating… adding version history, file sharing, and synchronization between multiple computers.
The latest news comes from DropBox. They’ve used their heads, and figured if two computers, which are sync’d, are on the same local network (such as both in the same office or some household), there’s no need to send the data to the cloud, then back to the other computer. When syncing with LAN Sync, the file will copy directly from one PC to the other.
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Previously the file was sent to the cloud & back down |
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With LAN Sync, the file is transferred directly from computer to computer |
Not only will this decrease syncing times (as the file goes direct, skipping a party in-between), but it will also save on bandwidth, as the file never goes into the cloud.
Further proof the online backup market is becoming more and more fierce, SpiderOak recently issued a press release comparing their service to DropBox, full of completely valid and compelling facts.
For instance, SpiderOak users choose which folders to sync, while DropBox users must save their files in a specific location. So keeping your file structure the way you want it organized is one benefit of using SpiderOak over DropBox.
Next, SpiderOak doesn’t have to sync all files, just like DropBox. However, SpiderOak does have a “backup-only” option for specified directories, so they’ll be regularly backed up to “the cloud”, but won’t be sync’d amongst multiple computers. DropBox lacks this option, so if you want to backup a file with DropBox, you’re forced to sync it, using up storage space on the sync’d machines and bandwidth amongst them.
Aside from other SpiderOak features, such as the ability to sync and backup external drives, SpiderOak is also more affordable. A 100GB account with SpiderOak costs $100 / year, while $100 / year with DropBox will only get you half the storage space. As if twice the storage space and additional features weren’t enough, you can save 25% on SpiderOak using at SpiderOak Promotion Code.
So while SpiderOak went on the offensive this week, they have some valid points. Look for our review of DropBox in the near future.
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Not really new, but