Review Of Livedrive Online Backup, Storage And Sync
Overview and History
Livedrive is funded by Andrew Michael. Andrew started Fasthosts Internet Limited, the UK's largest and most successful Internet hosting company which was sold in 2006 for in excess of $120m. Andrew commented: "Online storage is the future. Lots of companies are trying to do it today but the products are crap and not a replacement for traditional storage methods. Livedrive has been over two years in the making and will be the standard by which all competing products are judged".
Livedrive has one of two editions: LiveDrive Backup and LiveDrive Briefcase (Pro). The basic edition can backup of unlimited devices and an unlimited amount of data. The Briefcase or Pro version offers all the functions of the Backup edition but also gives sharing and synchronization of data from unlimited machines.
Feature Set
Security
LiveDrive provides 128bit SSL encoding to their web portal as well as password protection for your account. File transfer to and from their data centers is protected by 256bit AES encryption - the finest encryption we have discovered for data transfers. Once on their servers, your data is managed with 256 AES encryption (that's better than most banks!) and private key encryption is also available.
As for the servers, your data is stored on military grade servers in geographically separated data centers. These were originally only in the United Kingdom, however, with expanding their service to other countries, they have also extended their web of data centers which ensures your data's protection.
Backup Features
A very notable features of LiveDrive Backup is that it is truly unlimited. We have been using LiveDrive for a couple of years now and have backed up many terabytes of information. Adding files to the backup schedule is as easy as right-clicking the file or folder and clicking 'add to backup' on the LiveDrive submenu. Once Included in the backup schedule, files are checked for amendments and scheduled for backup as and when they are changed. File versioning is automatically enabled on any files within the archive set and are allowed up to thirty copies of the same file. Open files will also backed up regularly and thanks to the 'block level incrementation' ability just the altered bits of files are sent and these are then added to a new version of the file. This precess massively reduces the total amount of information that must be uploaded.
Network drives and removable devices such as pen drives or other USB products can also be backed up.
Restore Features
You are allowed to restore up to 30 versions of any file you have backed up by logging into the web site, selecting the file you wish to recover and choosing the edition of the file via the timestamp. Then simply select where you would like it restored to and the service begins the restore process. independent upload and download bandwidth throttling settings in the desktop client but no processor controls. Socks Proxy servers can be setup which is useful when you are in a shared environment and can only get to the internet using a proxy server. You can also set priorities of types of files, for example, if you are gradually uploading your entire movie collection, you should configure excel docs and other file types before music files so that your more vital information is backed up more quickly.
Interface
LiveDrive integrates very well with the desktop on PC and MAC. It has a system tray icon to give fast access to information and option screens. The web site is extremely simple to navigate and use.
There are loads of collaboration, file sharing and synchronization options available in the professional version of LiveDrive which is called Briefcase. Devices do need the client software installed to run LiveDrive but this is a very easy and straightforward process that takes a few minutes to download and setup.
Device Support
At the moment LiveDrive supports Microsoft Windows - XP, Vista and Seven; MAC OS 10.5+; iPhone OS 3.0+; Blackberry and any net-enabled device via the web site.
Limitations
None found so far.
Collaboration and Synchronization
If you go for the Pro or Briefcase version of LiveDrive then you have access to a host of collaboration and synchronization tools added to your unlimited online backup solution. When you enable the Briefcase option a virtual drive is setup on every device enabling you to store all your shared files. By default the drive letter it L: however you can change this via the client software. Any file that is put on this logical drive is copied to the web site and from there to the other devices that have the briefcase feature enabled and are configured for the same LiveDrive Account. File conflicts are configurable and can be set to perform an automatic option of your choice or to ask what to do with each conflict.
There is also a beta ability called 'LAN synching' which lets devices on the same network (for example you may have a family PC, notebook and PDA all using the same router) to syncronize information inside your network rather than shooting every change to the net and back. This is a really great ability especially if you have loads of files that you have to initially update on one or several machines.
Another very useful feature of the Briefcase is the option to employ a local copy of all the files on the virtual drive. Therefore you have access to the logical drive even when you are offline. When you re-connect to the net, any changed files are updated on the web portal and changes are pushed out to the other devices as and when they also come online.
File Sharing
File sharing is possible in the web site and in the desktop software - if running the Briefcase edition. Simply click on the file or folder you want to share, click the share link and you will be asked if you wish to share privately or publically.
Public File Sharing lets everyone with the correct web address see the file. If you choose this option, you are given a unique web address for every file. Which can then be sent to anyone you wish.
Private File Sharing means only users you choose have access to the file. If this option is chosen then you will be asked to enter the email addresses for every friend you wish to have access to the file. You can insert a specific message to give more information about the file you are giving access to. The system then sends an email to each of the addresses previously setup providing general information, your private message and a unique web address for each file being shared.
Web 2.0 Integration
LiveDrive has a music and video player built into the web portal, and a handy slideshow feature. LiveDrive is also attached to quite a few online apps including: Facebook, Flickr, SmugMug, Photo Flexer, Zoho, Spibd, PicNik and others. This means you can access and amend many of your files directly from the web portal.
Customer Support
There is no phone or online chat support. However, apart from wanting to ask obscure questions we have never needed to talk directly to LiveDrive's support.
There is an email form built into the desktop software and on the web site which they respond to very promptly in our experience. The Forum and Blog are brilliant resources to get information or get questions solved from both other users and from LiveDrive's tech. support team. The FAQ and knowledgebase are good for normal inquiries as is the demo on their website and there are case studies available on their website. A free version is not available however a 14 day free trial is given on both types of account.
Ease Of Use
LiveDrive is very easy to use. After paying for your subscription, you can instantly download the program to your internet enabled devices and either start backing up your files or - if you have chosen the far more useful Briefcase version - initiate transferring files to your logical drive. Restores and file sharing are very easy to configure and integrating with internet utilities to view data even on the move couldn't be easier.
Cost
Initial setup:Free 14 day trial
Monthly plan costs: Basic - $6.95/mth; Pro - $16.95/mth
Yearly plan costs: Basic - $69.50 / yr; Pro - $169.50 / yr
Initial allowed storage amount:Unlimited
Cost of additional storage: No cost
Cost of additional devices / users: No cost
Referral Program: Yes
E-billing facility: Yes
Conclusion
LiveDrive is a great archiving utility, it hides away cleverly and only makes itself known when intervention is required. If you opt for the Briefcase edition then the huge amount of features you have access to by far justifies the extra cost. With the wide range of integration with online machines and online utilities you have a complete online storage and workspace which automatically syncs with all your web devices.
For small businesses this is a great way to link your team together and keep everything up- to-date. For individuals it is a brilliant method to have a secure central storage location for all your files. There are cheaper Online Storage and Online Backup solutions available; yet, I there are not better ones. LiveDrive's unique blend of ease of use and great range of features make it a sure winner. On top of all that, if you choose the annual plan, you get two months free and an extra 10% off FOR LIFE!
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