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As digital files get larger, exchanging information can be more difficult. E-mail systems cap out at 10MB or 20MB attachments, and exchanging flash drives is a nuisance. Plus, neither system helps you keep track of versions.

Fortunately, there's Box.net to the rescue. Box.net is like a digital shoebox where you can store all of your files in a secure environment. The site lets you control access on a folder or file basis. You can also give your guests permission to edit or simply view your files.

Humble Beginnings

The service began 3 1/2 years ago when two college friends needed a way to exchange files between computers and couldn't find a suitable solution. We spoke to Aaron Levie, Box.net's CEO and one of the cofounders. The project that started on his college campus quickly grew.

Box.net now counts 2 million registered users who appreciate having a universal tool for sharing files. The service works with Windows, Macintosh, and Linux computers, as well as any mobile devices that go online. A Box.net storage account can share files of any type or size.

Easy Access

The idea from the beginning, says Levie, was to let people store their data online in the same manner that they do on their computers-with hierarchical folders. It's an organization method we're all familiar with.

In Box.net's folder system, however, you'll find some helpful extras. You can add collaborators, giving people permission to view your files and control their levels of access. Users can add comments to any entry with a new comment system. Best of all, Box.net automatically stores the latest 10 versions of any file, making it a safe way to collaborate with a group.

Security is important to Box.net's creators, and the site uses 256K SSL encryption of data transfers, and has redundant data centers to prevent data loss. The site also guarantees 99.9 percent uptime for its enterprise customers, a guarantee it's never failed on.

A Bigger Box

While the service doesn't use version numbers, it's had several significant milestones in its growth. The fist was when it adopted AJAX in 2006, making the site feel like a locally stored application.

The company completely redesigned the site in 2007, learning much from user feedback. It continues to add new features regularly. Just this summer the team added the comment ability for stored files.

Box.net was an early proponent of open systems, and made its APIs available for third-party collaboration. Users can edit documents, spreadsheets, and photos all without leaving the site, thanks to collaborative services.

Working with Enterprise

Lately, Box.net has found a lot of interest in its enterprise version. This offers the same storage and collaboration features as the consumer version, but with group management and reporting tools. MTV and Crocs footwear are among the companies using it, says Levie.

Box.net will continue to roll out new features to its customers. Next up are foreign-language localization options. Five languages have already been soft-launched on the site, says Levie. These plus three others will get full announcements as they launch one-at-a-time in the fall.

Pricing for Box.net is free for the Lite version, which offers 1GB of storage, and $7.95 per month for the Individual version, which provides 5GB of storage. Professional users should look at the $19.95 per month Business version, which offers 15GB of storage, or the Enterprise product, which costs $15 per month per user and offers larger storage amounts.

If you've been looking for an easy way to exchange files, give Box.net a try. With its collaboration features and easy access, it leaves other options way behind.

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