File sharing finally comes to MobileMe

[AppleInsider]

A file-sharing feature promised last July has finally arrived for users of Apple's MobileMe, capping a months-long delay that stemmed from the online service's rocky launch.

"We're pleased to announce that you can now use your MobileMe iDisk to share files with others simply and easily," reads a post on the MobileMe News website. "Instead of attaching a large document to an email and hoping it's not too big to be received, you can place the file in your iDisk and use the new Share File command in the iDisk web app."

Apple has provided a video tutorial to help users familiarize themselves with the new feature. Any file stored on iDisk can be shared (meaning it must be uploaded first) by clicking a "Share File..." button. Users can set an expiration date for each shared file and set a password for protection.

The new feature offers MobileMe users an alternative to free and fee-based online services like YouSendIt, Sendspace, Rapidshare, MegaUpload, and others.

Users should note that this capability cannot be found when accessing iDisk through the Finder, so one must first visit the Me.com site and log in. Although MobileMe users already have access to a Public iDisk folder, the new feature works on any file placed inside an iDisk while adding capability to email recipients and set the aforementioned download expiration option.

Users can set expiration dates and password protection for shared files.

Recipients of shared files receive an email with file information and a download link.

Last July, Apple sent an email to MobileMe subscribers acknowledging that iDisk File Sharing had been pulled at the eleventh hour ahead of the launch and apologized for the inconvenience. From then on, the MobileMe website said, "Soon, a new feature in iDisk will make it simple to share files too big for email."

Steve Jobs expressed regret and embarrassment with the mishandled launch of MobileMe, calling it "not up to Apple's standards". He then put Eddy Cue, formerly vice president of iTunes, in charge of bringing the service up to the Cupertino-based company's standard.

In an effort to make up for its early mistakes, Apple granted a free 30-day and later a 60-day extension to MobileMe subscribers. Since then, the company has steadily rolled out a series of improvements to the service.

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[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[JohnnyKrz]

I've been using a workaround by placing a document in my public iDisk folder and then emailing a link to it. (ex, http://idisk.me.com/~user/public/filename). My way is actually easier to me than logging into MobileMe. It would be easier if the feature was built into Mail as an attachment option. It could then automatically upload the file to one's iDisk and place the link in the email. Why did such a simple feature take so much time, anyway?

[tonton]

Originally Posted by JohnnyKrz

I've been using a workaround by placing a document in my public iDisk folder and then emailing a link to it. (ex, http://idisk.me.com/~user/public/filename). My way is actually easier to me than logging into MobileMe. It would be easier if the feature was built into Mail as an attachment option. It could then automatically upload the file to one's iDisk and place the link in the email. Why did such a simple feature take so much time, anyway?

I do the same thing, but I upload it to my "sites" folder. Your suggestion for Mail integration is great!

Off-topic: Am I the only one who really prefers the "myname@mac.com" email address? I hope Apple never phases it out completely.

[gibson10ma]

Why not just use dropbox which is FREE and allows you to share the file right from a folder on your machine with a simple right click:

https://www.getdropbox.com/

This and Blacktree's Quicksilver are probably the best pieces of software I have on my machine and they are both free.

[mariofreak85]

thank you baby jesus!!

I've been waiting for this FOREVER

[hotmarkb]

why does MobileMe not display my photos in the order I upload them in. And why can't I rearrange them????

99 dollars I will never get back.

[tonton]

Originally Posted by gibson10ma

Why not just use dropbox which is FREE and allows you to share the file right from a folder on your machine with a simple right click:

https://www.getdropbox.com/

This and Blacktree's Quicksilver are probably the best pieces of software I have on my machine and they are both free.

Because it requires the people on the other side to install third-party software.

[Postulant]

Originally Posted by mariofreak85

thank you baby jesus!!

I've been waiting for this FOREVER

you and me both...

[ktappe]

Originally Posted by gibson10ma

Why not just use dropbox which is FREE and allows you to share the file right from a folder on your machine with a simple right click

Because, like BackToMyMac, I've never gotten this to work. It may be because I have dual-NATting going on in my house (AirPort connected to a DSL modem, neither in bridge mode) but I've never been adventurous enough to change my network setup. So having the hosting done offsite works for me.

[jules771]

What a joke!

Why anyone would want this file sharing is beyond me. I called Apple customer support and asked why their download bandwidth tops out at 187 KB/sec.

Their answer "Mobile Me customers are not the priority for bandwidth at Apple, software updates are".

So basically they couldn't give a s**t about you and your $100 a year.

[solsun]

Originally Posted by jules771

What a joke!

Why anyone would want this file sharing is beyond me. I called Apple customer support and asked why their download bandwidth tops out at 187 KB/sec.

Their answer "Mobile Me customers are not the priority for bandwidth at Apple, software updates are".

So basically they couldn't give a s**t about you and your $100 a year.

If file sharing is your only use for MobileMe, then $100 per year is probably not worth it..

But for $8.33 per month ($100/12) the iPhone/Mac push calendar/mail integration, plus web-hosting, iLife integration, plus imap email account is a pretty decent price. Web hosting alone generally costs more than that.

EDIT: Why is there such a large amount of newly registered users all with complaints about Apple products taking part in these discussions over the past few days? Coincidence or not?

[jules771]

Originally Posted by solsun

If file sharing is your only use for MobileMe, then $100 per year is probably not worth it..

But for $8.33 per month ($100/12) the iPhone/Mac push calendar/mail integration, plus web-hosting, plus imap email account is a pretty decent price. Web hosting alone generally costs more than that.

EDIT: Why is there such a large amount of newly registered users all with complaints about Apple products taking part in these discussions over the past few days? Coincidence or not?

Ooh, new member!! Well, I'll just come right out and admit it, yes, this is Bill Gates writing this post, no point in trying to fool your incredibly sharp deductive reasoning.

As for web hosting costing more than $8.33 a month, perhaps you'd like to do some checking around before you come up with that opinion, say perhaps at Godaddy or OLM?

[solsun]

Originally Posted by hotmarkb

why does MobileMe not display my photos in the order I upload them in. And why can't I rearrange them????

99 dollars I will never get back.

You have to create and album in iPhoto and rearrange them there.

There is a 60 day free MobileMe trial.. Perhaps you should have tried that first before purchasing.

[solsun]

Originally Posted by jules771

As for web hosting costing more than $8.33 a month, perhaps you'd like to do some checking around before you come up with that opinion, say perhaps at Godaddy or OLM?

I have, and as I said, It GENERALLY costs more, not always.

[julesburt]

Originally Posted by tonton

I do the same thing, but I upload it to my "sites" folder. Your suggestion for Mail integration is great!

Off-topic: Am I the only one who really prefers the "myname@mac.com" email address? I hope Apple never phases it out completely.

I much prefer my @mac name (and would rather not change to @me) ....however on iPhone it doesn't push with the .mac account (in my experience) so already they are forcing the issue with that...

Anyone else got push working with their @mac.com name on iPhone?

Jules.

[jules771]

Originally Posted by solsun

I have, and as I said, It GENERALLY costs more, not always.

Alright, fanboy, calm down.

My original point was that it's a waste of time for Apple to add ftp as their download speeds are ridiculously slow.

[solsun]

Originally Posted by jules771

Alright, fanboy, calm down.

My original point was that it's a waste of time for Apple to add ftp as their download speeds are ridiculously slow.

And my point was in regards to "they could give a s*** about your $100 per year comment." MobileMe becomes valuable to those who use the service for more than FTP transfer.

Like say keeping contacts, calendars and mail in sync between an iPhone, laptop and desktop.. Or those who additionally wish to easily host a website built in iWeb.

[solsun]

Originally Posted by julesburt

Anyone else got push working with their @mac.com name on iPhone?

Jules.

Yes, I do..

Both .mac or me.com should work without problems. What is your setup?

[jules771]

Originally Posted by solsun

And my point was in regards to "they could give a s*** about your $100 per year comment." MobileMe becomes valuable to those who use the service for more than FTP transfer.

Like say keeping contacts, calendars and mail in sync between an iPhone, laptop and desktop.. Or those who additionally wish to easily host a website built in iWeb.

HAHA,

okay, let me revise, since it's obvious you need very literal comments. Apple couldn't give a s**t about their customers when it comes to ftp speeds.

happy now? Appleinsider should really change the forum name from "Applications" to "Solsun's definitive answers and omipotent opinions on Applications"

[mariofreak85]

Originally Posted by jules771

Alright, fanboy, calm down.

My original point was that it's a waste of time for Apple to add ftp as their download speeds are ridiculously slow.

It's not a waste of time. I find it to be a very valuable feature. I occasionally have to send large files (about once a month or so), currently I put the file in my iDisk and send people a link to my public folder, however this is much easier and lets me control who gets to see what files. And the download speeds are MUCH faster than something like rapidshare.

If I was constantly sharing large files on a daily basis, mobile me wouldn't be the best solution, but for someone like me it's perfect.

[solsun]

Originally Posted by jules771

HAHA,

okay, let me revise, since it's obvious you need very literal comments. Apple couldn't give a s**t about their customers when it comes to ftp speeds.

happy now? Appleinsider should really change the forum name from "Applications" to "Solsun's definitive answers and omipotent opinions on Applications"

Or you could just say what you mean next time.

[pjc10000]

I tested the new feature. I send small files via regular e-mail embedded as an attachment. But the process of sending larger files via iDISC is a little bit more intensive for some of my clients.

I found this service to be a lot more intuitive for my clients to review their work verses referring to my iDisc site, search the files and then open the files. I usually have to do a little handholding when I send them something.

Only things I noted on this new service from Mobileme were:

The inability to Change the Message Header --so that I could insert my name in the E-MAIL format HEADER. The person receiving the e-mail might not realize the e-mail is from me.

The second thing-- there was not any Audible cue to tell me message was sent.

When I clicked on the message download button -- A BLANK WEBPAGE appears that looks like its broken. There is no indication that downloading is in process -- Until the file appears.

I would assume the larger the file was , the longer it would be to give any sensory indication a download was taking place. Even a few seconds is too long without sensory cues that the download is in process.

I like the simplicity of this service for longer files. It just needs a little polishing on the basics

[Wiggin]

Originally Posted by solsun

You have to create and album in iPhoto and rearrange them there.

There is a 60 day free MobileMe trial.. Perhaps you should have tried that first before purchasing.

Unless you are using Aperture, which also integrates with MobileMe's photo galleries. In that case, when you are on MM's web site and rearrange your photos (which is an advertised feature of the web application), it will look like your photos are rearranged, but then a few minutes later you'll watch in astonishment as your photos slide back to their original configuration.

I'm not disagreeing with your point about the free trial, just saying that there are a lot of nagging little inconsistencies and missing features that are implied in Apple's advertising. Things that you may not discover during the trial period.

As an example, you have web based email and calendar, but you can't accept a meeting request that is sent to you. You also can't send a meeting request from the web apps. These seem like pretty obvious features that I might not think to test during a free trial period. (Although, personally, I'm not really surprised because iCal is by far the weakest part of the whole iLife/MobileMe set of applications.)

[solsun]

Originally Posted by pjc10000

The inability to Change the Message Header --so that I could insert my name in the E-MAIL format HEADER. The person receiving the e-mail might not realize the e-mail is from me.

The message is sent using the persons name who owns the MobileMe account and/or the name of the person assigned to the MobileMe email account.

[solsun]

Originally Posted by pjc10000

When I clicked on the message download button -- A BLANK WEBPAGE appears that looks like its broken. There is no indication that downloading is in process -- Until the file appears.

On a Mac, the download manager pops open when the "download" link is clicked. Not sure how Windows behaves.

[solsun]

Originally Posted by Wiggin

Unless you are using Aperture, which also integrates with MobileMe's photo galleries. In that case, when you are on MM's web site and rearrange your photos (which is an advertised feature of the web application), it will look like your photos are rearranged, but then a few minutes later you'll watch in astonishment as your photos slide back to their original configuration.

I haven't tried doing this on the Web App, so I'll take your word for it.. But you can arrange photos in an album in iPhoto. When published, they will appear in the same order.

[pjc10000]

Originally Posted by solsun

The message is sent using the persons name who owns the MobileMe account.

I find that I very rarely look at the senders name as I scan the list of e-mails I get. I'm reading the Subject headings. I get through the listing much faster. It would be useful to have the ability to embed the name into the subject.

I went back to the e-mail listing and did find the sender name-- but its not something I normally do-- and my clients are use to reviewing their e-mail lists the same way... Just the option of having the ability would be nice.

Thanks
Pete Collins

[solsun]

Originally Posted by pjc10000

I find that I very rarely look at the senders name as I scan the list of e-mails I get. I'm reading the Subject headings. I get through the listing much faster. It would be useful to have the ability to embed the name into the subject.

I went back to the e-mail listing and did find the sender name-- but its not something I normally do-- and my clients are use to reviewing their e-mail lists the same way... Just the option of having the ability would be nice.

Thanks
Pete Collins

I've never considered this as I always look at the name of a sender before opening an email... The MobileMe email subject header will be the name of the file being shared.. A workaround could be to name the file with your name in it..

But I see your point.. You should submit feedback to Apple.

[hotmarkb]

Originally Posted by solsun

You have to create and album in iPhoto and rearrange them there.

There is a 60 day free MobileMe trial.. Perhaps you should have tried that first before purchasing.

Using iPhoto defeats the purpose of storing your photos in the 'cloud'.

[manray]

This sorta ticks me off. I am currently working on file managing site..Which is totally free, with unlimited storage capacity. Darn Apple, its like they know what I am doing 24/7. Still going to work through this upsetting news.

[solsun]

Originally Posted by hotmarkb

Using iPhoto defeats the purpose of storing your photos in the 'cloud'.

Huh?

The purpose of MobileMe galleries is to share and publish albums or photos that you have in your computers/iPhones photo library. It is not an online photo storage solution.

EDIT: Meaning you can not publish photos directly to MobileMe if they are not stored on your computer or iPhone first.

[solsun]

Originally Posted by manray

This sorta ticks me off. I am currently working on file managing site..Which is totally free, with unlimited storage capacity. Darn Apple, its like they know what I am doing 24/7. Still going to work through this upsetting news.

Now I'm convinced!

[manray]

Originally Posted by solsun

Now I'm convinced!

Convinced about what?

[solsun]

Originally Posted by manray

Convinced about what?

Big Brother.

[Wiggin]

Originally Posted by solsun

I haven't tried doing this on the Web App, so I'll take your word for it.. But you can arrange photos in an album in iPhoto. When published, they will appear in the same order.

Originally Posted by hotmarkb

Using iPhoto defeats the purpose of storing your photos in the 'cloud'.

Managing your photos via the web app was one of the features Apple highlights here. But not all changes you make online get reflected on your Mac (works in iPhoto, but not in Aperture). And if you create a new album on the web app (ie, when you are traveling and upload photos for people to see). They don't sync back to your Mac. They are stuck in the cloud. There may be some way to force it to sync back to my Mac, but it's certainly not an intuitive or seamless integration.

[Bregalad]

I much prefer my mac.com identity over me.com. I don't think I'll ever stop thinking it refers to a particularly bad version of Windows.

Having iDisk features in Finder, but having to log in through a web browser to set permissions seems like a completely stupid design. Maybe proper integration is coming in Snow Leopard.

Does anyone actually get decent upload speeds to iDisk? Even at work where I've got 10Mb/s upload capability it's unbearably slow to upload even a 2MB file. I can't imagine trying to use all 20GB for backup.

[manray]

Originally Posted by solsun

Big Brother.

This has happened to me on a number of occasions. Its really weird. Not just from Apple

[jules771]

Originally Posted by solsun

Or you could just say what you mean next time.

just gotta get that last word in huh?

Mind telling me what you don't understand about slow ftp speeds? Sounds like a match made in heaven with your IQ

[solsun]

Originally Posted by jules771

just gotta get that last word in huh?

Mind telling me what you don't understand about slow ftp speeds? Sounds like a match made in heaven with your IQ

1. Yes
2. No
3. Ignore

[hotmarkb]

Originally Posted by jules771

just gotta get that last word in huh?

Mind telling me what you don't understand about slow ftp speeds? Sounds like a match made in heaven with your IQ

Hahaha your IQ comment gets the best comment of the year award haha. Funny cause it's true