Cloud (for Mac)

An old adage states that sharing is caring, so when it comes time to send that big file make sure that it arrives in the intended recipient's inbox without suffering bounce-backs because the photos, video, or documents are too large. Linebreak SL seeks to eliminate the bounceback problem and speed the sharing process with Cloud (for Mac), a popular freemium utility that makes sharing a near-effortless endeavor. The Web-based application performs its function with aplomb.

Getting Started With Cloud
Getting started with Cloud is quick and easy. You create an account by entering your e-mail address and a password at the start screen. Cloud sends a confirmation email to your address, but you don't have to click any links to confirm the set up?you can dive right in. Cloud doesn't place an icon on the Mac's toolbar; as with file-syncing program Dropbox?(Free, 4 stars), Cloud's icon lives in the menu bar at the top of the screen and is accessible from any Web-connected computer. Although both applications let you share files via links, Dropbox isn't a true competing product; it's file-syncing software.

By default, snapped screenshots are automatically copied to My CloudApp, an online storage locker that's automatically created when sign up for Cloud. In order to place other file types into My CloudApp, you must manually move them there by dropping the file onto the Cloud icon. Clicking it opens a drop-down menu that lets you view all of your stored files (in either Grid or List views) and the last five uploaded files. The drop-down menu also contains "Preferences" which lets you tinker with options. CloudApp is powered by Heroku and Amazon's Simple Storage Service. Files are redundantly stored on multiple devices across multiple storage facilities to prevent data loss.

File Sharing Made Easy
Sharing a file is equally easy: You simply click a file from within My CloudApp, and click "Direct Link" in the upper-right hand corner to generate a non-expiring URL that's automatically coped to your clipboard. This link is then yours to share at will by pasting it in an e-mail, IM conversation, forum, or any other area (if you upload multiple files at once, Cloud generates a shareable zip file). You can also set the link to public or private (it's set to private by default). The free version limits you to sending just 10 files per day that are less than 25MB each, and Cloud's domain name is at the heart of each URL.

Fortunately, you can send more files and customize the links for branding purposes by entering the CloudApp store. There I was I was encouraged to sign up for a CloudApp Pro account which offers a handful of benefits including using your websites domain name in the generated URLs (this requires DNS tweaking), and the ability to share an unlimited number of files per day, and upload files that are up to 250MB in size, features that SMBs will appreciate.

The contract-free, affordable subscription plans can be purchased in one month ($5), three month ($15), six month ($25), and 12 month ($45) increments. Dropbox, on the other hand, sets its pricing based on capacity: 2GB (Free), 50GB ($9.99 per month), and Pro 100 ($19.99 per month). Cloud has a more wallet-friendly price scheme, but it lacks Dropbox' folder system which places files on each computer on which it's installed. If you don't have a Web connection, you can't access Cloud's saved files. In other word, Cloud is not a syncing program.

I signed up for the $5 plan and had no problems sending several zip files (containing large mixes of photos, videos, and audio) to friends without getting the dreaded bounce back. The recipients reported that when they received the URLS, they simply downloaded the zip files to their hard drives to access the content.

Cloud also includes a feature called "Raindrop" that integrates the app with other software. For example, pressing Control + Option + R automatically shortens URLs when you're browsing using Google Chrome and saves it to the Cloud Web App. Raindrop also works with Finder, Firefox, Grab, Photoshop, Safari, iPhoto, and iTunes. It really is an extremely useful tool for quickly capturing and saving files for sharing at a later time.

Should You Download Cloud (for Mac)?
If you need to send large files to others on a regular basis, Cloud (for Mac) lets you do just that. Chances are that if you need a service of this type you'll probably want to shell out cash for the premium service?which is cheaper than using Dropbox?in order to avoid the free model's limitations. Still, although you need a Web connection to access your saved files, you'll find it worth the price of admission.

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