151 What cloud storage do you use?

[jno]

Store your files in the cloud? The cloud? Where is it anyway? Russia? Camborne? The North Pole?

Do you like to store your files online, if so, where? Prefer ye olde storage instead,  if so, why?

[felixdeburgh]

I’ve never really got ‘into’ cloud storage so keep my stuff on hard drives, sticks and backup drives. I’ll confess that it’s the accessibility (switching between iOS and Microsoft devices) that confuses me slightly so I’ve never really looked into it in any detail. I did wonder about it only last week as I was thinking there must be an easier way to transfer stuff between devices than having to rely on a 3rd party app that has limitations as to the size or amount you can move. I’m aware you can buy ones that make it easier but why should I? It’s my stuff, I just want to see it on a different device!

[jno]

For years I have avoided using "the cloud" (and streaming) and I still do as much as I can. It is only lockdown that has forced me into using OneDrive and MS Teams. It IS handy having stuff accessible from any device but being from the old school, I know connections can die and it will guaranteed be on the one day I need it.

What I like about OneDrive it is that is does just fit into Windows and an extra drive, which doesn't seem to much of a hardship for an old dinosaur like me. Pay for it though? You must be joking.

I think it comes down to this - do you rely on an internet connection? For cloud and streaming you do, and I just know any network connection is unreliable. Then there is the whole "but who OWNS and looks after the data, really?"

[Arch Stanton]

I don’t like using iCloud.
In the past I’ve stuck everything on discs but these days I can’t be bothered, so I’m starting to get lazy with that.

I don’t like or trust big tech companies, and I don’t like having things stored in the cloud because then I feel like I’m stuck with that one company.

Personally I think it’s a lie and a trap, we don’t need any of this cråp.
We should revolt against it..... Now where did I put my stone club, I need to go out get something to eat and find a wife.

[gustav]

I don't store anything in these places usually but if you have to transfer large files to other people, as I do from time to time, you have to use OneDrive or Google Drive or something like that. I have used Dropbox in the past as well. The best way to transfer stuff I think though is WeTransfer. However, I don't trust the Cloud in any form and try to keep stuff out of it, you don't know where it goes or who gets access to it.

[Portland Road]

I normally back up my files onto SDHC cards or USB memory sticks.

My employer uses Drop Box so I am familiar with that, but I don't normally use it for personal reasons.

[jno]

I often use filehorst.de (a German site) to transfer large files.



I know cloud storage is way more popular with those born in the 90s. 

[Arch Stanton]

Nov 18, 2020 6:24:36 GMT jno said:

I know cloud storage is way more popular with those born in the 90s. 

That’s why I use it occasionally jno, to remain relevant and down with the kids.
Same reason I occasionally listen to “gangsta rap” and get stroppy when I have to tidy my bedroom.*




*Actually, that last bit is a lie, I just order Mrs Tonkin to tidy it.

[ltd]

I don't use cloud storage very often but have made use of Box from time to time. Lately have been using Google drive as I play boardgames and rpgs and it's useful for distributing handouts and other documents to the players.

Keep my proper backup stuff on a pair of external hard drives.

[kelotoph]

I use Microsoft OneDrive, mainly because it's convenient and pre-installed on my desktop and easily installed on my tablet and phone. However, I generally don't use it for anything confidential, so if any hacker can make use of photos of my in-laws' wedding anniversary or a recipe for cheesecake then they're welcome to them!

[chopper]

I cloud for home, as I only use Apple devices - I have had i phones for years (approx 10 years) and use an i pad at home, I spend nearly all day at work using Microsoft devices and applications, so last thing I want to do at home is switch on another - I can’t stand the things anyway!...

[jno]

Nov 18, 2020 19:41:45 GMT chopper said:

I cloud for home, as I only use Apple devices - I have had i phones for years (approx 10 years) and use an i pad at home, I spend nearly all day at work using Microsoft devices and applications, so last thing I want to do at home is switch on another - I can’t stand the things anyway!...

..not that we want to open the can of worms that is MS v Apple.



I think there will come a point where we will forced to move away from our storage media and be coerced into the cloud. MS programs are already defaulting to OneDrive over local computer which is a sure sign for me.

[jno]

One thing I would say about the cloud - I regularly use an 8Mb Excel file with a macro in it - does it save quickly to the cloud? No, a few seconds LAG and I have a pretty good internet connection. So tbh, the cloud STILL ain't all it's cracked up to be and working with stuff open from the cloud, especially large files, is not really great.

[Arch Stanton]

You know what, I don’t think we have gone woke but there is an automatic naughty words filter.
Which jno sets to ‘disrupt’, the other settings are ‘stun’ and ‘kill’.. But jno has never found a reason to apply those.... yet.

[jno]

Yup, see 15a and 15b that everyone signs up to when they land:

minder.proboards.com/thread/617/forum-rules-read-asap

[mybodyguard]

Clouds aren't entirely secure, so I really only use them to share calendars, notes, and non critical things. I would never store photos or important documents there.

There's too much asking for allowing to share everything and permissions for apps and programs. I hate it. I really want to have a computer setup like Gene Hackman in Enemy Of The State and be off the grid. Amazing movie, by the way. It has an Xmas setting, too, so I may watch this again soon!

[ltd]

I find p0rn works just fine.

[jno]

Dec 1, 2020 18:12:10 GMT mybodyguard said:

Clouds aren't entirely secure, so I really only use them to share calendars, notes, and non critical things. I would never store photos or important documents there.

There's too much asking for allowing to share everything and permissions for apps and programs. I hate it

mybodyguard for president. I totally agree. 

[jno]

I just installed Windows on a mini "NUC" pc from Intel.

Microsoft seemed obsessed with tying you into saving OneDrive which is flaming nuisance, constantly synching everything. I'd much rather save everything locally then back it up when I'm ready to do so. Depending on an internet connection involves a third party to do the simplest of things.

Sorry, but a PC is NOT a personal computer if I have to depend on a third party to access my files. C: drive forever!

[Portland Road]

Absolutely 

[bensonrad]

I only use hardrives, I don't like the thought of putting my stuff somewhere external on a cloud, mind you I am not sure how the law operates with 1000s of stored old TV episodes etc.

[jno]

Mar 20, 2021 20:14:06 GMT bensonrad said:

I only use hardrives, I don't like the thought of putting my stuff somewhere external on a cloud, mind you I am not sure how the law operates with 1000s of stored old TV episodes etc.

1000s? Sounds like your a man after my own heart Benson

[Terry]

Using Google Drive....up to now mainly because of the gratis space for photos. But I think I will stick with it and pay the monthly fee because I did not find any usable alternetaives. I have a 12 TB NAS which can also do it but the accompanying photo storage software is cr*p and doesn't do what its told.

I don't care about privacy, if Google want to know my grades from the 10th grade then so be it....

And the at the moment 273 seasons of series and stuff I don't keep there, so no legal problems there.

[jno]

I've found myself using OneDrive more recently. Why? Being forced between work and different computers at home I got fed up of transporting USB sticks for the 3 or 4 files I use all the time.

Nevertheless, still not a fan of cloud AND the 'Sign In to OneDrive' on Windows 10 is an annoyance.

One other thing, my internet has gone off during lockdown due to to so many people using this at key times with a fault at the provider. Cloud based stuff all flops when your internet isn't available - the total plus for local storage.

[simon316]

I use One Drive because its easier to transfer from Computer to Android phone.
I use Google Drive because it was the first one I recall.
iCloud for pics and books from iPhone
The one I use the most though is Cloud Mail.ru. This too is full of epubs and my personal pics but very easy to use and recommended.
However I also have about 50 USB sticks full of either television or rail videos - my passion

[AlanH]

I was going say I don't use Cloud storage, but thinking about it, I do use one and it's not listed: mega.nz.

[jno]

Nov 5, 2023 1:16:54 GMT AlanH said:

I was going say I don't use Cloud storage, but thinking about it, I do use one and it's not listed: mega.nz.

The only time I see mega.nz is when I get to download stuff I shouldn't be if you know what I mean.

[AlanH]

Oh, I know exactly what you mean, but their 50GB free capacity is very useful and I feel less suspicious of them than I do of the giant corporations like Apple, Google, etc. Probably naively.