View source for File Sharing

{{Term|FILE SHARING|File sharing refers to the public and private sharing of computer files or data in a network, with varying levels of access privileges assigned. Typically file sharing requires users to upload and download files from a server. Peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing, however, does not follow the traditional model of uploading and downloading files from a website. Instead, files are shared directly between personal computers with no intermediate server, making it a peer-to-peer exchange. File sharing allows a number of people to access one file, being able to combine elements like reading, writing, modifying, copying and printing. In order to share files, a file transfer system called the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) has become widely-used. FTP can be used to access (read and possibly write to) files shared among a particular set of users with a password.<ref>http://searchcio-midmarket.techtarget.com/definition/file-sharing (26 September 2011), http://www.bsacybersafety.com/threat/p2p.cfm (26 September 2011)</ref>}}



{{Tool|File sharing tools|Below is a list of file sharing tools that allow users to share content online:}}
{|border=1; width= 100%
|-
!Tools
!Description
!Characteristics
!Advantages
!Disadvantages 
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|[http://www.dropbox.com/ Dropbox]
|Downloadable tool (15.5 MB) which works like any other folder on the computer
|
* Free up to 2 GB
* Enables access to files from anywhere
* Any files or folders saved inside Dropbox are automatically synchronized to Dropbox's servers and are accessible from any other computer using the account.
* Authors can share files after inviting people to a particular folder
|
* Keeps track of every change made to a document. Enables one to view or restore any previous version of a given file and to undelete files accidentally trashed.
* Mobile application access
* Allows sharing files with non-Dropbox users. Users can save their files on the Public folder and send the link to these documents to others, without requiring people to sign up for Dropbox.
|Doesn’t enable users to edit a document at the same time
|-
|-
|[http://www.box.net/home/ Box.net] 
|Cloud content management system to manage and access content online
|
* Free web storage up to 5 GB for non-commercial use
* File size limit of 25 MB
|
* Files can be shared as links
* Access available on mobile devices like iPhone or Blackberry
|Features like syncing files to desktop and integration with Google Docs only available through paid subscription
|-
|-
|[https://docs.google.com/?pli=1#home/ Google Docs]
|Online space which allows you to share and collaborate online
|
* Free
* Enables access to files from anywhere
* Authors can share files after inviting people
|
* Keeps track of who made changes to a document and when. Enables one to view or restore any previous version of a given file.
* Has an integrated chat that allows commenting in real time.
|Requires the user to have a gmail account
|-
|}

=='''Job Aid'''==
[[Image:pdf.png]] [[Media:Toolkit_Template_File_Sharing.pdf‎|File Sharing]]

== References ==
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