Build Private Peer-to-Peer Network with Windows Live FolderShare

Mehacomp_91

- Does perpetual beta equal death?

WindowsLive FolderShare sounds like an excellent idea from Microsoft. Theservice under the Windows Live brand umbrella allows users to buildprivate peer-to-peer networks and share and synchronize content.Microsoft permits file sharing without transfer and quantitylimitations and sharing of materials up to 2 GB. Also, the Redmondcompany does not restrict the file types, allowing synchronization andtransfer of content in native formats. Moreover, Windows LiveFolderShare strives to be platform agnostic offering support for bothWindows and                         Mac platforms.

"FolderShare allows you to create a private peer-to-peer network thatwill help you to synchronize files across multiple devices and accessor share files with colleagues and friends. You no longer need to sendlarge files via email, burn them to CDs/DVDs and mail them, or uploadthem to a website. FolderShare allows you to share and sync importantinformation instantly with anyone you invite, making it the perfectsolution for personal or small business use", Microsoft informed.

But this is where Windows Live FolderSharehits a rough spot. The service seems to be in perpetual beta and isvirtually unusable by today's standards and using current technology.Windows Live FolderShare consists of two components, My FolderShare anda downloadable item dubbed FolderShare Satellite. But the systemrequirements are laughable. In order to access Windows LiveFolderShare, users would need Windows 2000 / XP / 2003 or Mac OS X10.3.8. And the service seems to be optimized for Internet Explorer5.0, Firefox 1.0, Opera 7.x, Safari. In fact, the last time that FolderShare Satellite was updated is almost two years ago, all the way back in November 2005.

"Synchronize all your devices - Retrieve work files at home or accessphotos at work. With your devices in sync, you no longer have to befrustrated that your information is on another computer. Share files,photos, and home videos with your peers - Select the content you wantto share, invite members, and they will be able to access the sharedfiles directly from their device. Access your computer or deviceremotely - FolderShare mobile access allows you to access your computerfrom any web browser," reads a Microsoft invitation posted on theofficial website of FolderShare.

At this time, Windows Live FolderShare is still live, and still inbeta, although Microsoft has completely failed to advance the servicein over two years. Moreover, the company has recently introducedWindows live SkyDrive, also a Windows Live service aimed to provideanywhere access to files, but with the emphasis placed on storingcontent in Microsoft's operating system in the cloud.

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