Managing Data Over Time
What we have found is storing data on external disks takes a lot of time, must be backed up. Furthermore, disks have a tendency to go bad and they take a of effort to maintain. In our view, data management is best left to people that specialize in it.

Hosts?
As for hosts, most hosts do not provide that much space for data storage, and they are not free, so if your payment lapses, you can lose your data.

The Alternatives
Two alternatives not ordinarily considered for data management are GMail and WordPress. GMail provides 7 gig (and growing of space) and WordPress provides 3 gig – which will probably grow.

Client
However, both need software to enable using them for data storage. With GMail there is an add in for Firefox that turns it into a drive. With WordPress, new software called Blogo, allows you to attach files more efficiently than using the WordPress web interface, but it only works for pictures. WordPress does not allow other file types aside from PPT, PDF, JPEG and a few others. Obviously WordPress does not want to be a file storage company. However, they may want to reconsider. WordPress allows a degree of organization and interrelationship with content, that is unsurpassed. Also, their space is very well priced.



25 GB currently can be had for $90 per year, which is $7.5 per month. So they seem to be warming to the concept. However, the trick is finding a client that allows bulk uploads to WordPress. Here is the list copied from WordPress’ website. (these are the Mac editors)

* Blogo – Also supports Twitter and Ping.fm, 21-day trial
* Ecto
* Flock
* JBlogEditor
* Journler (however blogging is being dropped soon from Journler)
* MacJournal
* MarsEdit
* QTM
* Qumana
* ScribeFire (formerly Performancing)
* TextMate
* WriteToMyBlog – web based

Here is a review of several

http://onecoolsite.wordpress.com/2007/10/26/offline-blog-editors-reviews/

These may be great clients, but none of them have drag and drop capability or mass media upload capability. Also, at this point, WordPress’ allowed files are too limited.

So for right now, GMail is the best solution that we see — with of course the addition of the GSpace plug-in. However, the interface is clunky.

Paid Service
The best paid service, which is very effective to use is called Box.net. We currently use the 5gb service, but are thinking of upgrading for $15 per month and getting 30GB of space.