Online file storage is a critical feature in todays mobile computing world.  We have large hard drives, but flexibility is important.  In my opinion SkyDrive is the best online file storage system today.

Many people have Windows Live logins for their MSN Messenger (now called Windows Live Messenger) account.  If this is true for you, head over to http://skydrive.live.com and claim your 25GB of free online storage.  I have checked around the net, and have not found any other systems that match the Microsoft SkyDrive product. 

Before I get a bunch of flame e-mails, NO I am not a Microsoft Apologist.  If a product is good, I will recommend it.  This post is just a short review on the pros and cons of this online storage product.

Pros -

• Size – 25 GB is a lot of storage space
• Free – Free is always good
• Stability – Microsoft is going to be around to keep SkyDrive from disappearing
• Flexibility – Works with the Gladinet Cloud Desktop Client to mount Drives on your PC 

 Cons -

• File Size Limit – 50 MB maximum file size (still pretty large)
• Drag and Drop interface only works with Internet Explorer
• Some people are Against Everything Microsoft so they cannot be convinced it is a good product
• Full Functionality assumes you are a PC user – I haven’t tried it on my Mac yet.

I personally use SkyDrive because of the Pros I have listed above.  The Gladinet Cloud Desktop client is great.  I use the free version, and have found it to be pretty stable.  It allows you to create a mounted drive letter on your Windows PC.  It does a good job of synchronizing and moving files in the background. 

Even if you chose not to install the Gladinet driver you can drag and drop files using Internet Explorer.  Maybe there will be some sort of Firefox Plugin in the future, but I wouldn’t hold out waiting for one. 

For the Anti-Microsoft folks out there, actually SkyDrive is a winner, the problem with many "FREE" programs and services on the internet, is that you are at the whim of the company.  So many of them just disappear overnight, or are purchased by another company and phased out.  Nevertheless I do warn people not to trust these free online file storage systems, make sure you have a local backup Just In Case.

I recommend you surf over to the SkyDrive website and give it a try.  Let me know what you think about this online storage product.  Any tips and tricks you can give are appreciated by myself and the other readers.

-Loren

Update - There are persistent rumors that Google is going to do something similar to SkyDrive, but nothing yet.  I have looked at some clever work arounds to store files on your Gmail account, but they are just that "workarounds" and not really online file storage.

Word Processing / Productivity Software
Open Office -
It seems these days that everyone has some version of Microsoft Office.  Microsoft is always trying to get you to upgrade to the latest greatest version of Office.  I personally run Office 97.  I bought it way back when I was in college, and it has served me well.  It does everything that I need in a Wordprocessor, Spreadsheet, Presentation package.  For those of you that haven’t taken the Microsoft Plunge Open Office is your program.  Go to the site, download and enjoy an office suite that will even exchange files with Microsoft Office.  You will not be an outsider to your friends.

Adobe Acrobat Reader -
Adobe Reader changes versions like the wind, and they make installation tricky.  I warn the new computer user to be VERY careful as they try to get you to download a trial of their software that will expire unless you pay.  The Adobe Site is always changing as well, so carefully navigate to find the FREE READER download.  If it were not for so many documents on the internet in .pdf format I would suggest that you just skip it, but I can’t.

Antivirus

AVG Antivirus –
AVG in my opinion is the best free antivirus out there.  It is simple to install and will do automatic updates.  Easy for beginners as well as advanced computer users.  Just be careful when you are navigating their site that you download the FREE version.  They make it kind of difficult to find and try to give you the NON-Free version which turns out to be a trial that expires.  The real free one does not expire and is free for non-commercial use of course.  If you just bought a new computer it probably came with some sort of antivirus that will expire unless you pay to get the updates.  Some of the commercial antivirus software is bloated and will bog down your system.  There is NO reason to pay for Antivirus Software.

Spyware – Malware
Spyware and Malware is a larger threat to your computer than even Viruses.  The issue with Spyware is that no single program will protect you.  I advise having multiple programs available to protect your system.  Windows Defender and Spyware Blaster protect your system in real time.  Spyware Blaster is unique, so be sure to read the details about it.  As with Antivirus software, Spyware and Malware protection programs must be updated regularly if they are to remain effective.  Be aware if the program you have installed updates automatically or if you have to do it manually.

Windows Defender -
Windows Defender is a good program that comes from Microsoft.  Therefore it integrates with Windows (XP or Vista) flawlessly.  Download and install it and forget it.  It doesn’t even show up as an icon in your system tray.  Set it up to do an automatic scan and forget it.  I wasn’t even sure it was running until I found it in the running tasks list.

Spyware Blaster -
I really like Spyware Blaster because as Windows Defender it runs in the background protecting you without you needing to do anything.  The unique thing about Spyware Blaster is that it actually sets up your computer so that you cannot physically go to sites that are known to contain spyware or malware.  The one thing you need to remember to do is update.  The free version will not automatically update so you need to remind yourself to go and get the latest update.  The updating goes quickly as all it really contains is a list of the latest “BAD” sites to prevent you from surfing to.

Spybot Search and Destroy -
Spybot Search and Destroy will go DEEP into your system and root out any spyware that you may have.  Again it is important to make a point to update the program.  It is easy to do and is vitally necessary.  You will need to run the program yourself, and I recommend once a week.

There is an option to run a resident version of Spybot Search and Destroy.  I advise new computer users to be careful and Not install the Spybot Search and Destroy Resident Protection.  The reason for this is that it will monitor everything that tries to modify your registry and will ask you questions whether or not to let the change happen.  This is a good feature if you are just surfing the web, but when you are installing software you must be extremely careful.  If you do not choose wisely and accidently don’t let a requested change happen when you install software parts of your computer will not work correctly.  This can cause much confusion for new users.  Therefore I highly recommend.

Conclusion -
In order to keep this tutorial short, I will conclued for now.  If I update this list I will re-post.  So for now, this is my list of MUST HAVE software to install when you get your new computer home.  Good Luck!

What are your suggestions?  Please leave them in the comments box, or send me an e-mail.

-Loren
http://www.theteachingbox.com

I did think of an addition this weekend:
SuperAntiSpyware -
Yes is is a cheesy name, but it has saved me a couple of times. The Free version will get done what you need. I discovered it when I was infected with the Vundo Trojan.  Many spyware programs will not remove this, but SuperAntiSpyware will remove it in Safe Mode.  I have actually purchased the professional version as it will do automatic updates and schedule scans. (the free one won’t)