Review of LiveDrive Online Backup and Storage

Review of LiveDrive Online Backup, Storage and Sync

Overview and History

Livedrive is funded by Andrew Michael. Andrew created Fasthosts Internet Limited, The United Kingdom's main and most successful Internet provider which he sold in 2006 for over 120 million dollars. Andrew commented: "Online storage is the future. Lots of companies are trying to do it today but the products are crap and not a replacement for traditional storage methods. Livedrive has been over two years in the making and will be the standard by which all competing products are judged".

Livedrive comes in two editions: LiveDrive Backup and LiveDrive Briefcase (Pro). The Backup edition offers backup of unlimited online devices and an unlimited volume of files. The Briefcase or Pro edition includes all the features of the basic version and also allows sharing and synchronization of information via unlimited online devices.

Feature Set

Security

LiveDrive provides 128bit SSL encoding to their web site along with password protection for your account. Data transfer to and from their servers is protected with 256bit AES encryption - the best protection we have found for data transfers. When on their servers, your information is managed with 256 AES encryption (that's military grade) and private key encryption is also available.
As for the servers, your data is stored on state of the art servers in diverse data centers. These were originally only in the United Kingdom, however, with expanding their service to other territories, they have also widened their network of data centers which ensures your data's protection.

Backup Features

A really impressive features of LiveDrive Backup is that it is really unlimited. In the nearly two and a half years we have been using LiveDrive we have backed up many terabytes of information. Putting files on the backup list is as simple as right-clicking the file or folder and selecting 'add to backup' via the LiveDrive submenu. When added to the backup schedule, files are monitored for changes and scheduled for backup as soon as they are altered. File versioning is automatically enabled on any files within the backup set and you can have up to 30 editions of the same file. Open files will also backed up frequently and because of the 'block level incrementation' ability just the amended sections of files are backup up and these are then added to a new version of the file. This method greatly reduces the volume of information that is required sent over the internet.
Network drives and removable devices ,for example, pen drives or other USB devices can also be backed up. A progress indicator is included status messages so you know what is being backed up and what is scheduled to be uploaded.

Restore Features

You May restore up to 30 seperate editions of any file you have archived by logging into the web portal, choosing the file you wish to recover and picking the version of the file according to the timestamp. Then simply select where you would like the file restored to and the portal begins the recovery process. Simple. Easy. Painless.

Control and Analysis

There are {individual upload and download bandwidth throttling controls in the desktop client but no processor throttling. Socks Proxy servers are supported which is useful when you are in a none private environment and need to access the internet by way of a proxy server. You can also set priorities of types of files, emagine if you are slowly uploading your entire music collection, you may want to configure excel docs and other file types in front of video files so that your more vital data is backed up first.

Interface

LiveDrive blends extremely well with the desktop on PC and MAC. It provides a system tray icon to permit fast access to information and option screens. The web portal is really straightforward to navigate and use.
There are several collaboration, file sharing and synchronization options available in the pro edition of LiveDrive which is called Briefcase. Devices do need the client software installed to run LiveDrive but this is a very easy and straightforward process that takes a few minutes to download and configure.

Device Support

At the moment LiveDrive supports Microsoft Windows - XP and up; MAC OS 10.5+; iPhone OS 3.0+; Blackberry and any web-enabled toy via the web site.

Limitations

We have found no limitations with LiveDrive.

Collaboration and Synchronization

If you buy the Pro or Briefcase edition of LiveDrive then you gain access to a greate set of collaboration and synchronization tools added to your unlimited online backup solution. When you activate the Briefcase option a virtual drive is created on every device to store all your shared files. Initially the drive letter it L: but you can change this in the client software. Any file that is put on this virtual drive gets copied to the web site and from there to all other devices that have the briefcase feature enabled and are configured for the same LiveDrive Account. File conflicts are configurable and can be set to carry out an automatic option of your choice or to notify you with each issue.
There is also a beta feature called 'LAN synching' which allows devices on the same network (for instance you may have a desktop, iPad and Blackberry all using the same internet connection) to syncronize data on your LAN instead of shooting all the changes to the net and back. This is a really excellent feature especially if you have loads of files that you have to initially update on one or several devices.
Another very useful ability of the Briefcase is the option to use a local cached copy of all your information from the logical shared drive. Therefore you have access to the logical drive even when you are offline. When you re-connect to the net, the changed files will be updated on the web site and changes are pushed out to all other devices as and when they also come online.

File Sharing

File sharing is possible in the web site and from the client software - if running the Briefcase edition. Simply pick the file or folder you need to share, use the share hyperlink and then choose to share privately or publically.
Public File Sharing means everyone with the exact web address see the file. If you choose this option, you are given a unique web address for the file. Which can then be distributed to anyone you want.
Private File Sharing allows only friends you choose have access to the file. If you choose this option then you will need to enter the email addresses for each friend you need to have access to the file. It is possible to include a private message to send more information about the file you are giving access to. The utility then sends an email to each of the email addresses you listed giving general information, your personal message and a unique web address for each file being shared.

Web 2.0 Integration

LiveDrive has a music and video player built into the web portal, along with a nifty slideshow feature. LiveDrive is also connected to quite a few internet apps including: Facebook, Flickr, SmugMug, Photo Flexer, Zoho, Spibd, PicNik and others. This means you can get to and amend the majority of your files directly from the web site.

Customer Support

There is no telephone or online chat support. However, with the exception of wanting to make unusual requests we have never needed to talk directly to LiveDrive's support.
There is an email form on the desktop software and on the web portal which they respond to very quickly in our experience. The Forum and Blog are great resources to find information or get questions resolved from both fellow users and from LiveDrive's tech. support team. The FAQ and knowledgebase are handy for generic inquiries as is the demo on their website and there are case studies available on their website. There is no free version yet a 14 day free trial is available on Backup and Briefcase accounts.

Ease Of Use

LiveDrive is extremely straightforward to use. After signup, you can instantly download the desktop utility to your internet enabled devices and either start backing up your information or - if you have bought the far more useful Briefcase edition - initiate transferring files to the logical drive. Restores and file sharing are extremely simple to use and integrating with online services to update data when on the move couldn't be easier.

Cost

Initial setup: Free 14 day trial
Monthly plan costs: Basic - $6.95/mth; Pro - $16.95/mth
Yearly plan costs: Basic - $69.50 / yr; Pro - $169.50 / yr
Initial allowed storage amount: Unlimited
Cost of additional storage: No cost
Cost of additional devices / users: No cost
Referral Program: Yes
E-billing facility: Yes

Conclusion

LiveDrive is a very useful backup program, it is tucked away neatly and only shows itself when you need to be told something. If you go for the Briefcase edition then the load of abilities you have access to easily rationalizes the extra cost. With the broad range of integration with web devices and online services you have a complete online storage and workspace which automatically syncs with all your web devices.
For small businesses this is a great way to join your users together and keep your projects up- to-date. For individuals it is a great approach to have a secure centralized storage place for all your data. There are cheaper Online Storage and Online Backup solutions available; however, I there are not better ones. LiveDrive's unique combination of ease of use and many features make it a sure winner. And to make it even more appealing, if you choose the yearly plan, you will receive 2 months free and an extra 10% off FOR LIFE!

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

Need More Information? Visit the author's website for the best online backup solutions and online storage comparisons.

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