| w and History | | | | that have the briefcase feature enabled and are |
| Livedrive is backed by Andrew Michael. Andrew | | | | setup for the same LiveDrive Account. File |
| created Fasthosts Internet Limited, the UK's main | | | | conflicts are configurable and can be set to carry |
| and most successful Internet hosting company | | | | out an automatic option of your choosing or to |
| which was then sold in 2006 for in excess of | | | | notify you with each issue. |
| $120m. Andrew commented: "Online storage is | | | | There is also a ability called 'LAN syncing' which |
| the future. Lots of companies are trying to do it | | | | allows devices on the same network (for instance |
| today but the products are crap and not a | | | | you may have a PC, netbook and iPhone all using |
| replacement for traditional storage methods. | | | | the same router) to sync data locally instead of |
| Livedrive has been over two years in the making | | | | shooting every change to the net and back. This |
| and will be the standard by which all competing | | | | is a really efficient ability especially if you have |
| products are judged". | | | | loads of files that you need to initially update on |
| Livedrive offers 2 versions: LiveDrive Backup and | | | | one or several machines. |
| LiveDrive Briefcase (Pro). The basic version can | | | | Another very useful feature of the Briefcase is |
| backup of unlimited internet enabled devices and | | | | the option to utilize a local cached copy of all the |
| an unlimited volume of files. The Briefcase or Pro | | | | files from the logical drive. Thus you have access |
| edition retains all the features of the basic version | | | | to the logical drive even when you are not |
| but also allows sharing and synchronization of data | | | | connected to the internet. When you re-connect |
| from unlimited online devices. | | | | to the web, the changed files are updated on the |
| Feature Set | | | | web portal and amendments are pushed out to all |
| Security | | | | other devices as and when they also go online. |
| LiveDrive uses 128bit SSL encrypted access to | | | | File Sharing |
| their web site along with password protection for | | | | File sharing is available in the web site as well as |
| your account. Information transfer to and from | | | | from the desktop software - if using the |
| their data centers is protected via 256bit AES | | | | Briefcase version. Merely choose the file or folder |
| encoding - the most secure encryption we have | | | | you want to share, select the share button and |
| seen for data transfers. When on their servers, | | | | then choose to share privately or publicly. |
| your data is secured with 256 AES encryption | | | | Public File Sharing means everyone with the unique |
| (that's better than most banks!) and you can | | | | website address see the file. If this option is |
| setup your own private key to manage the | | | | chosen, you will be given a unique web address |
| encryption if you wish. | | | | for every file. This can then be sent to anyone |
| As for the servers, your data is stored on state | | | | you wish. |
| of the art servers in geographically separated | | | | Private File Sharing allows only people you choose |
| data centers. These were originally only in the | | | | have access to the file. If you choose this option |
| United Kingdom, however, since expanding their | | | | then you must enter the email addresses for |
| service to other territories, they have also | | | | each person you want to have access to the file. |
| widened their network of data centers which | | | | You can also append a personal message to give |
| ensures your data's protection. | | | | more information about the file you are granting |
| Backup Features | | | | access to. The system then sends an email to |
| A very notable features of LiveDrive Backup is | | | | each of the email addresses you provided giving |
| that it is actually unlimited. While using LiveDrive | | | | general information, your personal message and a |
| we have backed up over 7 terabytes of | | | | unique web address for the file being shared. |
| information. Putting files on the backup set is as | | | | Web 2.0 Integration |
| easy as right-clicking the file or folder and clicking | | | | LiveDrive has a music and video player built into |
| 'add to backup' on the LiveDrive sub-menu. Once | | | | the web portal, along with a slide show feature. |
| Included in the archive schedule, files are | | | | LiveDrive is also attached to many internet |
| monitored for amendments and scheduled for | | | | programs including: Facebook, Flickr, SmugMug, |
| archiving as and when they are altered. File | | | | Photo Flexer, Zoho, Spibd, PicNik and others. This |
| versioning is automatically enabled on any files | | | | means you can get to and amend the majority |
| within the archive set and are permitted up to 30 | | | | of your files directly from the web portal. |
| editions of any file. Open files are also backed up | | | | Customer Support |
| on a regular basis and because of the 'block level | | | | There is no telephone or online chat support. |
| incrementation' technology only the altered | | | | However, not counting wanting to ask obscure |
| sections of files are backup up and these are then | | | | questions (which we did via email) there has been |
| added to a new version of the file. This method | | | | no need to talk directly to LiveDrive's support. |
| enormously reduces the amount of information | | | | There is an email form built into the client |
| that is required uploaded. | | | | software and on the web portal which they |
| Network drives and removable media, for | | | | answer very quickly in our experience. The Forum |
| example, pen drives or other plug-and-play drives | | | | and Blog are excellent places to receive |
| can also be backed up. | | | | information or get questions solved from both |
| Restore Features | | | | fellow users and from LiveDrive's tech. support |
| You May restore up to 30 different versions of | | | | team. The FAQ and knowledge-base are good for |
| any file that has been backed up by accessing the | | | | standard inquiries as is the demo on their website |
| web portal, choosing the file you wish to restore | | | | and there are case studies available on their |
| and choosing the version of the file according to | | | | website. There is no free version yet a 14 day |
| the timestamp. When selected simply choose | | | | free trial is available on both types of account. |
| where you want it restored to and the portal | | | | Ease Of Use |
| starts the recovery process. Independent upload | | | | LiveDrive is very easy to use. After you signup, |
| and download bandwidth throttling controls in the | | | | you can instantly download the client utility to |
| desktop client but no CPU throttling. Socks Proxy | | | | your internet enabled devices and either start |
| servers are supported which is crutial when you | | | | backing up your files or - if you have bought the |
| are in a public environment and need to get to | | | | far more useful Briefcase version - initiate |
| the internet by way of a proxy server. You can | | | | dumping data to the virtual drive. Restores and |
| also set priorities of types of files, for example, if | | | | file sharing are very easy to configure and |
| you are gradually uploading your entire video | | | | integrating with online services to view information |
| collection, you should set word docs and other file | | | | when on the move couldn't be easier. |
| types in front of music files so that your more | | | | Cost |
| vital data is archived faster. | | | | Initial setup: Free 14 day trial |
| Interface | | | | Monthly plan costs: Basic - $6.95/mth; Pro - $16.95 |
| LiveDrive integrates extremely well with the | | | | mth |
| desktop on PC and MAC. It utilizes a system tray | | | | Yearly plan costs: Basic - $69.50 / yr; Pro - |
| icon to allow rapid access to information and | | | | $169.50 / yr |
| option screens. The web site is very simple to | | | | Initial allowed storage amount: Unlimited |
| navigate and use. | | | | Cost of additional storage: No cost |
| There are many collaboration, file sharing and | | | | Cost of additional devices / users: No cost |
| synchronization options dedicated to the | | | | Referral Program: Yes |
| professional version of LiveDrive which is called | | | | E-billing facility: Yes |
| Briefcase. Devices do need the client software | | | | Conclusion |
| installed to run LiveDrive but this is a simple and | | | | LiveDrive is a very useful backup utility, it is |
| straightforward process that takes a few minutes | | | | tucked away cleanly and only alerts you when |
| to download and configure. | | | | intervention is required. If you choose the |
| Device Support | | | | Briefcase option then the load of features you |
| At the moment LiveDrive supports Microsoft | | | | are getting easily justifies the extra cost. With the |
| Windows - XP and up; MAC OS 10.5+; iPhone OS | | | | wide range of integration with web machines and |
| 3.0+; Blackberry and any online-enabled device via | | | | web services you have a complete online storage |
| the web portal. | | | | and workspace which automatically synchronizes |
| Limitations | | | | with all your web devices. |
| We have found no limitations with LiveDrive. | | | | For small businesses this is a great way to |
| Collaboration and Synchronization | | | | collaborate your users together and keep your |
| If you buy the Pro or Briefcase edition of | | | | projects up-to-date. For individuals it is an |
| LiveDrive then you get a great set of | | | | excellent method to have a secure central |
| collaboration and synchronization tools added to | | | | storage location for all your data. There are less |
| your unlimited online backup solution. When you | | | | expensive Online Storage and Online Backup |
| activate the Briefcase option a virtual drive is | | | | solutions out there; but, We there are no better |
| setup on every device enabling you to store all | | | | ones. LiveDrive's unique infusion of easy |
| your shared files. At first the drive letter it L: | | | | interaction and many features make it a sure |
| however you can change this using the client | | | | winner. If that is not enough, if you select the |
| software. Any file that is moved or copied to the | | | | yearly plan, you will receive two months free and |
| virtual drive will automatically be copied to the | | | | an extra ten percent off FOR LIFE! |
| web site and from there to the other devices | | | | |