Documents anywhere, anytime

You have documents such as word files, pictures, videos, etc., on your desktop at home but want to access them on any Internet-enabled computer, smart phone or tablet anywhere, anytime. It is possible now. File storage and syncing websites such as Drop Box, Sugar Sync, Sky Drive, CX, Box.net and Google Drive have made it possible. Users can not only access their files but also make the content available to the public at large or send it to friends by sharing the unique link of the file with them.

The founder of Drop Box, Drew Houston, developed the online storage website because he used to forget taking his USB drive to class when he was a student. He made the website for his personal use and later made it public thinking it could help others like him. The website provides users with a facility to sync content on multiple gadgets by installing the Drop Box application.  

File hosting websites come loaded with hundreds of useful features. Users can send their files as an email attachment. They can edit documents online and save them without making any changes in the formatting of a file. Users can upload unlimited content for free though the upload limit and features vary from one website to another and a few websites charge for using premium features.

 If you are running out of storage space on Google Drive, you can buy an additional 20 GB for $ 2.49 per month. Sky Drive offers the same space for $10 per year or 50 GB for $25 per year. Drop box Pro offers 50 GB of storage space for $99 per year.

These websites come with built-in file viewers and users can see PDF, word files and other documents, whenever required.

Google launched its file hosting service Google Drive on April 24, 2012. The service is an extension to its existing service Google Docs. Google Drive provides 5 GB space and allows access from computers and mobile devices. The application that is available for Windows can create special folders that sync with your cloud-based repository.

Users can drag a file into these local folders and that file will be uploaded to their account. The files will appear in the Web version of Google Drive, in the Google Drive folders on the computers of users, and in Google Drive apps on smart phones and other gadgets. These local apps also sync any changes a user makes to the files. The website is yet to launch its supporting application for Android, Apple and BlackBerry platforms.