RWW reports that next week MS is due to make an announcement at the Web 2,0 Expo. Apparently most pundits think this will be announcement of the Launch of LiveMesh. So what is Live Mesh?
It is believed that LiveMesh will allow users to sync files across multiple devices both mobile, cloud based and fixed. LiveSide is running minute by minute updates of what LiveMesh actually turns out to be here.
It’s a very interesting space – in the last few days we’ve had coverage of SugarSync (review to come), Syncplicity, and now possible moves to upgrade Foldershare to provide similar functionalities.
Much of what I talk about in terms of the benefits of Office 2.0 suites, revolves around collaboration – the ability to siultneously work on documents in multiple locations. These offerings don’t really help with any of that.
But what about a different usage situation?
In my day to day consulting life, I don’t do any file collaboration (most of what I do is solo). I do however work in multiple locations, on multiple machines, from time to time without my own machine etc etc. So for me, all I really need is something that keep files synced between machines and a copy on a secure location in the clouds.
All these offerings would seem to do that, it just comes down to added features, cost and reliability.
On the subject of file backup, sharing and storage …
Online backup is becoming common these days. It is estimated that 70-75% of all PC’s will be connected to online backup services with in the next decade.
Thousands of online backup companies exist, from one guy operating in his apartment to fortune 500 companies.
Choosing the best online backup company will be very confusing and difficult. One website I find very helpful in making a decision to pick an online backup company is:
http://www.BackupReview.info
This site lists more than 400 online backup companies in its directory and ranks the top 25 on a monthly basis.