Cloud Storage Options?

So NotebookReview.com probably isn't the ideal place to ask about this, but I've found that people here are pretty knowledgeable and I don't want to deal with registering for another forum to ask one question, so I'm trying here first.

I'm looking for a cloud-storage option for work-related storage - the school I work for recently got me a way-outdated desktop PC so I don't have to bring my laptop every day, but I do work at school and at home, so I need my files to be available to me in both locations. I could always do the tedious USB drive thing, but with the rise of cloud-computing, it's worth looking into.

What I'm hoping I can find is a service that does cloud storage that:

- Works like a normal file system with a logical and easily-navigable hierarchy of folders.
- Updates automatically (both uploading and downloading, a manual button to initiate the update process would be fine)
- Stores files on user's PCs as well as online for anytime access

Cheap or free would be ideal, and low-capacity is okay - ideally I'd have at least a couple hundred MB, but even 10MB would cover my needs if necessary. Are there any cloud services that work like this?

Edit: Did a little search and found a few names - Windows Live Mesh, SkyDrive, Dropbox, Box.net... Mesh sounds ideal, but the work PC runs XP and Mesh is too sophisticated for this obsolete behemoth. Anybody know much about those others?

Edit again: Also, it looks like Dropbox, which appeared to be a good second place to Mesh, is blocked in China. Leave it to the Great Firewall of China to pull a move like that. Paranoid $%#&!'s.

 

I have only used dropbox. I only use it with docs that I don't have to worry about any issues if they become compromised. It gives 2gb free, and is easy. But again, I don't put anything on there that could come back to haunt me. Having seen all the issues that have been going on lately, I don't put any trust that anything is secure in "the cloud". I know there are others, I just haven't used them.

 

dropbox or sugarsync

 

S. How is sugarsync? What are your opinions?

 

Hmm, looks like the GFW doesn't like Sugarsync either... Maybe I'm gonna be stuck with the USB thing after all...

 

Dropbox works nicely. Actually at my work most of our academic members use dropbox. And I think dropbox is your best option. But you may consider to use Skydrive (from MS Live for sync options and 5Gb space) or even google docs.

 

the GFW shows the problem with the way currently cloudsolutions are implemented. with a centralized server, it's very easy to get it blocked from politics, companies, service providers, parental controls, etc..

you could consider having your home system serving a solution for external access. something with dyndns or such.

other than that, usb stick would be a very valid solution in that case.

 

Dang, looks like I'm stuck manually transferring my files. It's not that it's that hard or anything, but something automatic would definitely save me some hassle.

Worst of all is that the GFW is actually getting worse, not better. When will they realize that all this censorship makes them look worse around the world, like they've got something to hide?

 

when using the 'cloud' remember to encrypt EVERYTHING you put up there.

Truecrypt is your friend.

There are no enforceable guarantees of security or confidentiality.

 

I haven't used it. I was just reading an article comparing it to dropbox, but both were recommended.

 

Looking into ZumoDrive - anyone know anything about it? It looks like I might have to do a little extra work to sync the stuff to local folders, but it appears to cover most of the bases. I'm usually in reach of a wireless connection anyway.

As for encryption, if I were storing anything of any actual value or sensitivity I would, but there's nothing worth stealing or using for blackmail, so I'll forgo that. Thanks for the suggestion, though - I wouldn't have thought of it even if I were storing sensitive documents, so it's good to have the reminder out there.

Edit: Also checking out Syncplicity - anyone know much about it?