| Overview and History | | | | can be set to carry out an automatic option of your |
| Livedrive is backed by Andrew Michael. Andrew ran | | | | choosing or to ask what to do with each conflict. |
| Fasthosts Internet Limited, Britain's main and most | | | | There is also a feature called 'LAN synching' which lets |
| profitable Internet provider which was then sold in | | | | devices on the same network (for example you may |
| 2006 for over 120 million dollars. Andrew commented: | | | | use a MAC, netbook and iPhone all using the same |
| "Online storage is the future. Lots of companies are | | | | hub) to syncronize data inside your network instead of |
| trying to do it today but the products are crap and not | | | | sending every change to the internet and back. This is |
| a replacement for traditional storage methods. | | | | a really efficient feature especially if you have a load |
| Livedrive has been over two years in the making and | | | | of files that you have to initially update on one or |
| will be the standard by which all competing products | | | | several devices. Another very useful ability of the |
| are judged". Livedrive has 2 versions: LiveDrive | | | | Briefcase is the option to utilize a local copy of all the |
| Backup and LiveDrive Briefcase (Pro). The basic | | | | files on the logical shared drive. Thus you have access |
| edition allows backup of of unlimited online devices and | | | | to the L: drive even when you are offline. When you |
| an unlimited amount of data. The Briefcase or Pro | | | | re-connect to the web, the changed files will be |
| version has all the features of the basic version and | | | | updated on the web site and amendments are pushed |
| also allows sharing and synchronization of files via | | | | out to all other devices as and when they also go |
| multiple machines. | | | | online. |
| Feature Set | | | | File Sharing |
| Security | | | | File sharing is settable in the web portal and in the |
| LiveDrive uses 128bit SSL encryption to their web | | | | desktop software - if using the Briefcase version. |
| portal combined with password protection for your | | | | Merely click on the file or folder that you wish to share, |
| account. File transfer to and from the data centers is | | | | select the share option and then select to share |
| protected via 256bit AES encryption - the best | | | | privately or publically. Public File Sharing allows |
| protection we have found for file transfers. Once on | | | | everyone with the unique website address access the |
| their servers, your files are secured with 256 AES | | | | file. Using this option, you will be given a unique website |
| encryption (that's better than most banks!) and you | | | | address for the file. This can then be distributed to |
| can use your own private key if you wish. Physically, | | | | anyone you want. Private File Sharing means only |
| your data is stored on state of the art servers in | | | | people you choose have access to the file. If this |
| multiple data centers. These were originally only in the | | | | option is chosen then you must enter the email |
| UK, however, with expanding their service to other | | | | addresses for each user you need to have access to |
| territories, they have also broadened their grid of data | | | | the file. It is possible to insert a personal message to |
| centers which ensures your data's protection. | | | | provide more information about the file you are |
| Backup Features | | | | allowing access to. The utility then emails each of the |
| A really exciting features of LiveDrive Backup is that it | | | | addresses you listed providing general information, your |
| is actually unlimited. We have been using LiveDrive for | | | | personal message and a unique web address for the |
| a couple of years now and have backed up over 7 | | | | file being shared. |
| terabytes of data. Including files on the backup | | | | Web 2.0 Integration |
| schedule is as simple as right-clicking the file or folder | | | | LiveDrive has a music and video player built into the |
| and clicking 'add to backup' on the LiveDrive submenu. | | | | web portal, and a slideshow feature. LiveDrive is also |
| Once Included in the archive schedule, files are | | | | partnered to several online apps including: Facebook, |
| examined for changes and scheduled for backup | | | | Flickr, SmugMug, Photo Flexer, Zoho, Spibd, PicNik and |
| when they are changed. File versioning is automatically | | | | others. This means you can get to and amend most |
| enabled on any files within the archive set and are | | | | of your files directly from the web portal. |
| allowed up to 30 versions of any file. Open files will | | | | Customer Support |
| also archived regularly and because of the 'block level | | | | There is no telephone or online chat support. |
| incrementation' functionality only the altered bits of files | | | | Nevertheless, apart from wanting to ask obscure |
| are sent and these are then added to a new version | | | | questions (which we did via email) we have never |
| of the file. This technique greatly reduces the amount | | | | needed to talk directly to LiveDrive's support. There is |
| of information that must be sent over the internet. | | | | an email form built into the client software and on the |
| Network drives and removable media like pen drives | | | | web portal which they respond to very quickly in our |
| or other plug-and-play products can also be backed up. | | | | experience. The Forum and Blog are great ways to |
| {and status messages so you know what is being | | | | find information or get questions resolved from both |
| backed up and what is still waiting to be backup up. | | | | fellow users as well as from LiveDrive's tech. support |
| Restore Features | | | | team. The FAQ and knowledgebase are handy for |
| You are allowed to restore up to 30 versions of any | | | | general inquiries as is the demo on the website and |
| file that has been archived by accessing the web site, | | | | there are case studies available on their website. |
| selecting the file you wish to recover and choosing the | | | | There is no free version however a 14 day free trial is |
| version of the file by means of date and time. Once | | | | offered on Backup and Briefcase accounts. |
| selected simply choose where you want the file | | | | Ease Of Use |
| restored to and the program will start the recovery | | | | LiveDrive is very easy to use. After subscribing, you |
| process. independent upload and download flow | | | | can instantly download the software to your internet |
| controls in the desktop client but no processor throttling. | | | | enabled devices and either start backing up your data |
| Socks Proxy servers can be setup which is useful if | | | | or - if you have bought the far more useful Briefcase |
| you are in a public environment and need to get to the | | | | version - initiate dumping data to the L: drive. Restores |
| internet by way of a proxy server. You can also set | | | | and file sharing are a breeze to use and integrating |
| priorities of types of files, so if you are slowly uploading | | | | with online services to change data when on the |
| your entire video collection, you should set documents | | | | move couldn't be easier. |
| and other file types before video files so that your | | | | Cost |
| more vital data is backed up first. | | | | - Initial setup: Free 14 day trial |
| Interface | | | | - Monthly plan costs: Basic - $6.95/mth; Pro - $16.95 |
| LiveDrive blends extremely well with the desktop on | | | | mth |
| PC and MAC. It has a system tray icon to allow fast | | | | - Yearly plan costs: Basic - $69.50 / yr; Pro - $169.50 / |
| access to information and option screens. The web | | | | yr |
| portal is really easy to navigate and use. There are | | | | - Initial allowed storage amount: Unlimited |
| loads of collaboration, file sharing and synchronization | | | | - Cost of additional storage: No cost |
| options dedicated to the pro edition of LiveDrive which | | | | - Cost of additional devices / users: No cost |
| is called Briefcase. Devices do need the client | | | | - Referral Program: Yes |
| software installed to run LiveDrive but this is a very | | | | - E-billing facility: Yes |
| easy and straightforward process that takes a few | | | | |
| minutes to download and configure. | | | | Conclusion |
| Device Support | | | | LiveDrive is a great archiving utility, it is tucked away |
| At the moment LiveDrive supports Microsoft Windows | | | | cleanly and only shows itself when necessary. If you |
| - XP and up; MAC OS 10.5+; iPhone OS 3.0+; | | | | go for the Briefcase version then the load of features |
| Blackberry and any net-enabled toy via the web portal. | | | | you have access to easily justifies the extra cost. |
| Limitations | | | | With the huge range of integration with internet toys |
| None found so far. | | | | and internet programs you have a complete online |
| Collaboration and Synchronization | | | | storage and workspace that automatically syncs with |
| If you go for the Pro or Briefcase version of LiveDrive | | | | all your internet devices. For small businesses this is a |
| then you get a host of collaboration and | | | | great way to collaborate your employees together |
| synchronization tools added to your unlimited online | | | | and keep your projects up- to-date. For individuals it is |
| backup solution. When you activate the Briefcase | | | | a great way to provide a secure centralized storage |
| option a logical drive is setup on each computer | | | | location for all your information. There are cheaper |
| enabling you to store all your shared files. Initially the | | | | Online Storage and Online Backup solutions out there; |
| drive letter it L: however this can be changed via the | | | | but, I there are not better ones. LiveDrive's unique |
| client software. Any file that is moved or copied to the | | | | combination of easy interaction and many functions |
| logical drive gets copied to the web portal and from | | | | make it a sure winner. And to make it even more |
| there to the other devices that have the briefcase | | | | appealing, if you select the yearly plan, you will receive |
| feature in use and are configured for the same | | | | 2 months free and an extra 10% off FOR LIFE! |
| LiveDrive Account. File conflicts are configurable and | | | | |