If you looked at Wuala when it was launched a few years ago
and decided it wasn't for you, then it's time to try it again, because it's
undergone some major changes. There's no trading of disk space like it used to
have and it's straightforward online storage. A free account is provided with
5GB, but there are options for 20GB for $45 a year, 50GB for $107 and 100GB for
$184. Referring friends earns you more free space.
www.wuala.com
If you look at the features, Wuala is more like SugarSync
than Google Drive, SkyDrive or Drop-box. You can back up files to your online
space, use the online space like it was a networked drive, or sync folders with
the online space and other computers. Wuala can be used without software, but
it's more convenient if you install it. It runs on Windows, Apple Mac, Linux,
iPhone and iPad, and Android. That covers almost everything you're likely to
need it on, which is excellent.
Unlike the others on test, your online space can't be
accessed using a browser. However, you can log into the website and start a
Java app that's the same as the software that installs on the PC. This means
that Wuala can be used on PCs without installing anything.
The left panel shows the online storage and the main window shows synced
computers
There are folders in your online space for documents, music,
photos and videos, but you can add more or delete ones you don't want. The
online space can be set up like a network drive, which enables it to be
accessed directly from the computer and programs you run, creating files, editing
and saving them and so on. It's just a bit slower than a local disk drive. This
is a feature available only in Wuala and Open Drive and it's an interesting
alternative to a local folder that's synced. You can create a local folder or
select an existing one and sync it, though. The contents are kept synchronized
with an identical folder online and on every other computer running Wuala.
Multiple folders can be synced.
Files and folders can be private, so only you have access;
semiprivate and only visible to anyone you give a web link to, or public, in
which case anyone can see the files. Folders are color coded so it's easy to
see their type.
In addition to sharing files and folders, groups can be
created. They may be private, in which case only people you invite can see
files and folders, or they can be public. Wuala has a social side, in that you
can search for public groups and join them.
Wuala is also a backup tool, and files or folders can be
selected on the hard drive and backed up to your online space. There's a Time
Travel slider for every folder and you can drag the pointer from the present to
the past to see files and versions of files that existed previously they can
then be recovered. The one disappointment with Wuala is that the mobile app can't
upload photos and videos.
“Wuala has a social side and you can search for public
groups and join them”
Comments can be attached to files, which can be useful when they are shared
with friends or groups
Details
Price: Free
Manufacturer: LaCie
Website: wuala.com
Required spec: Windows XP or later, Mac OS
X 10.6 or later, 5GB HDD space
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