I really like cloud services. Especially for syncing. With syncing all my work to the cloud, I don’t have worries if my backup is up to date. Classic backup disk is still here, but it takes more time to control all things about it.
I use cloud storage for many years. One of the best free packages was that on SugarSync. SugarSync has many features, simple client and enough storage (free + referral). I can’t say it was perfect, but it is for sure one of the best.
Last week they announced that they will eliminate free accounts. I respect their decision, even if I don’t like it. I’m sure that many free users made a lot of commercial work for them.
I decided to delete my SugarSync account. There were some things that I don’t like with SugarSync and their latest decision goes over my head.
The main disadvantages were:
– no Linux client
– slow transfer rate
– unsupported network drive
– no encryption on local computer
– SugarSync support can’t answer why many times old SugarSync web page is opened
– SugarSync support can’t answer why sometimes web archive files are synchronized
– latest Windows client don’t support mapping drive any more…
And after all that – eliminating free accounts. I have to say – I’m moving. But moving where? I spent almost three days of reading, testing, comparing different cloud storage solutions. Many of them are good, some are even excellent. But in every solution I have at least one bigger misgiving. I want to stay on free packages, so I delete any payable solutions from my list.
Only a few solutions really understand what synchronization is and what is backup. I don’t like synchronization when I must use just one folder. I don’t like a backup if it is slow. I don’t like if client don’t allow me to change elementary settings. I don’t like if there isn’t information how long I have to wait to end a process.
I choose Wuala cloud storage. Like many others, Wuala isn’t without shortcomings, but I find just a few of them and system looks very promising. The biggest shortcoming for me is using Java. Wuala explains that they use Java to encrypt files on local computer and at the moment this is their solution. The second shortcoming is that people don’t know Wuala so good as Dropbox and other bigger players. Because of this (and local encryption of course), Wuala isn’t supported on applications on Android. For example – I really like to use ES File Explorer, but the Wuala isn’t supported.
Otherwise – first days with Wuala was without any problem and I really like their security approach and Linux client.
If you want to try Wuala, why not use my referral link (using this link you get additional storage). Both will benefit from it (additional 1 GB of storage).