Drop Those Files!

photo credit: Editor B

A while back I was working on a project and someone needed to send me some files so I could review them.  Instead of receiving an attachment, I received a URL to a site called drop.io.  At that time I had no idea what it was but boy it has been a cool tool to use since then!

What is It?

Drop.io is a tool that allows you to create an instant, dynamic file share (called a drop) for use online.  The drops are given random names by default and you can share the URL with others.  This allows a very simple ability to share files with people and be able to collaborate without having to email large files around or needing someone to open up their firewall.

Security

While I haven’t had a security expert do a review of the security processes at drop.io, I find that they suit my needs fairly well.  First off, they use random letters in the URL to name your drop.  So, you get the “security of obscurity”.  Second, you have the ability to password protect the drop in two different levels (admin and user). The user password makes it easy to require any users to know a password to access the drop.  The admin password keeps people from changing the settings on your drop.  There is also the ability to alter some of the permissions based on the user password but I haven’t played with that much.

Cool Features

Adding to the coolness of having an online drop… there are some other cool features that have been added or are being added/perfected.  They provide some pretty cool abilities.

Fax

Drop.io has added the ability to fax documents directly into a drop.  Each drop is given a custom cover page.  If that coverpage is used when the document is faxed it will place the document in your drop as  a PDF file.

A premium feature allows you to fax documents from the drop.  This would be a huge service for people who don’t have a fax machine at home.

Voice Memos

Each drop is provided a custom voicemail number.  If you call into that number and leave a message, it will be converted to an mp3 file in your drop.  This would work quite well for leaving yourself voice memos or using sound clips for collaboration.

Tweet.io

Tweet.io is a newer feature that allows people to create a drop and drop a file into it.  The drop is then tweeted on the individuals Twitter account.  So you can allow your Twitter followers to access a file that you have shared.  Very cool feature.

Firefox Plug-in

Firefox has a plug-in that will allow you to specify files and it will create a drop and upload them.  You simply drag and drop them and your drop is created.

Affixa

Affixa is a product that utilizes drop.io along with some other providers.  Affixa is a tool that makes using web mail and desktop mail very simple.  One of the services that Affixa can provide is utilizing drops for sending email attachments.  Instead of weighing down emails with the attachments they are shared via drop.io.

Freemium Model

Drop.io utilizes the “Freemium” model.  Many of the services are available for free.  The standard drops are free and they allow you to upload up to 100 MB of documents to them.  If you need more space you can upgrade your drop for a fee.  Also, they provide other services as part of their Premium model including Fax Sending and Drop.io manager.

I would highly recommend checking out drop.io.

Have you used it?  Recommend another product?

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Tagged as: Collaboration, drop.io, email, Fax, file sharing