14 DAY TRIAL // Well, it's official: Microsoft's Windows Live Folders has been christened Windows Live SkyDrive. Currently, the online service added under the Windows Live brand is in beta stage and offers users no less than 500 MB of free storage in the Microsoft cloud. With the new name, the Redmond company also introduced an update to Windows Live SkyDrive, although there are no indications that the beta build has changed. However, accessing the service will reveal a number of improvements that expand the basic functionality delivered to testers concomitantly with the initial beta.
The Windows Live SkyDrive Team described the new features added with the update. "An upgraded look and feel - new graphics to go along with your new features! "Also on SkyDrive" - easily get back to the SkyDrives you've recently visited. Thumbnail images - we heard you loud and clear, and now you can see thumbnails of your image files. Drag and drop your files - sick of our five-at-a-time upload limit? Drag and drop your files right onto your SkyDrive and the ability to embed your stuff anywhere - with just a few clicks, post your files and folders anywhere you can post html," revealed a member of the Windows Live SkyDrive Team.
Just head over at SkyDrive.Live.com and sign up for your own 500 MB of free online storage. If you are still unconvinced that it will be worth your effort then simply watch the video embedded at the bottom of this article, courtesy of Microsoft's Brandon LeBlanc. But trust me, once you get your own hard drive on the Internet you'll wonder how you ever managed to do without it. Being able to access your files independently of a local system is a godsend. Still, the service is limited by the 500 MB offering. But signals from Microsoft indicated that this amount will grow.
"By default, you get several protected directories which you can store your files in. These directories are completed protected from the public. Only you can view them. However, Windows Live SkyDrive allows you create or choose specific folders to share with everyone (Public folders) or specific people on your Windows Live Contacts list. You can set specific permissions for those viewing your folders as well - such as someone who can contribute (add and remove files) or someone who is simply just a reader. Your Public folder allows ONLY reader permissions for the public in viewing files within the folder. No need to worry about people maxing out your account with files," explained LeBlanc.