by cyberwriter

Created on: February 27, 2007   Last Updated: April 19, 2007

An easy way to share large files over the internet

You've just captured the most amazing video of your family vacation. You want to share it with everyone, but there is no easy way to do so. Creating DVDs or video CDs is just too complicated and time-consuming, instant messaging is too slow, and so on.

What is the solution?
There are a number of services and websites cropping up to help you handle the task.

One of special interest is called Pando. The difference with Pando is that you need only send the file once, and anyone you tell about it can download it.

The process of sending a file through Pando first requires that you download and install the Pando software client. Access it at www.pando.com. It is completely free. Once you have your Pando client running, simply drag the files you wish to send into the files window. Pando will create a package file, essentially a link to the files you want to share. After the package is created, you simply add the e-mail addresses of the intended recipients, and hit send. Your package will be uploaded to the Pando server and made available for download.

The great part is that the files are now available on the Pando server, which means your computer doesn't have upload to everyone again and again.

A couple of things to remember. First, your upload speed will be likely lower than your download speed. That holds true especially on high-speed Internet connections. So, you may want to upload large files during the night. Besides, with the free version, your file(s) will be purged from the Pando servers if the file(s) are not downloaded every 14 days.

Pando supports Windows and Mac. It enables you to attach files directly from your e-mail software - including Yahoo, Gmail, Outlook Express, Outlook, Hotmail and AOL mail.

Pando supports file sizes as huge as 1Gb (1,000 mega bytes). This is more than enough to send a complete CD worth of data or movies. You simply send the invitations to your friends via email which allows them to open the pando "package" and start the download.

Pando has since added fee based services that offer several different features. Pando Plus, Pro and Publisher subscriptions start at $4.95 per month to $49.95. They offer 2.5 Gb storage to 50 Gb storage, and 30 day expiry to unlimited expiry dates of your packages. With these paid subscriptions, you can also enjoy higher priority queueing of your files, and can send them to up to 100 email recipients. Pando free version offers only 10 recipients.

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