We have had many requests over the past week since Google launched Drive their online cloud storage, asking us to write and article about cloud storage and what we think are the best alternatives.
What is cloud storage?
Cloud storage is where you store your files in the “cloud”. Storing your data in the “cloud” involves uploading or transfering your data to remote server farms.
What are the pros and cons of cloud storage?
There are many pros and cons of cloud storage. They all weigh each other out.
Pros
You are don’t have to worry about your computer crashing and losing your data.
Your data is backed up (in some cases) on servers in a different location to the original copy.
Cons
You data is in the hands of total strangers.
You don’t know where your data is.
You can be limited by space.
The pricing.
Most cloud storage hosting services give you some free storage when you sign up and some even give you storage when you bring people to their services by inviting them. But the cost of expanding is way to high for most people.
I have accounts with many different cloud storage sites some for actual use and some to review.
I use iCloud for backing up all of my Apple mobile devices, Dropbox for general sharing (I don’t use this anymore) and I also have accounts with, Google Drive, Zumodrive and Skydrive. But I use a a one off system.
Many people have asked me over the time what system I use, and I always reply “I use a system developed and hosted by myself.” This gets many people asking “So how does you system work?” I usually answer with “sorry but I don’t like talking about my system”.
But now I have finally decided to release the details of my system.
I use the following setup.
8x 2tb HDDs in a raid format for file storage.
1x 120g SSD for booting and the operating system.
Core i7 Processor running at 3.4Ghz
Standard graphics card built on to motherboard (I am not sure which motherboard it is with out taking apart the system).
Windows XP Professional
Bigfoot KILLER 2100 Gigabit Network Card for super fast network connectivity
Connected to gigabit wired network with Netgear firewall.
Speedtest.net test shows up 34.55MBps internet connection.
Filezilla server.
and 3x 2tb external fireproof HDDs. (I have this to back up extremely important files such as all computers, music, films and other important data).
I have been using this system for around a year now and it is amazing. I built a custom (Private) Android App (I am currently working on one for iOS) that requires a 4 digit pass code and the password for the ftp server. I also access the server internally just by dragging and dropping files from my computer to shortcuts to the server, as it is attached to home network I have direct access to it.
Google announced that you will be able to get 16tb of storage for $799 and for around £1100 I have a the same amount of storage, it is in my home, I know where my data is and I know that it is secure.
So is Cloud storage worth the money. Yes if you don’t want to go and set up your own server. But if you can and would like to set up your own server it is great alternative and is really worth the money
Tell us what you think of cloud computing and my home setup by leaving a comment below or pop us a tweet on @Gromfrog