The free software program SkyDrive Explorer integrates the Windows Live SkyDrive storage space in Windows Explorer. It will display a new SkyDrive Explorer icon in the My Computer menu after installation. A login to Windows Live is required to access the data that is stored in Windows Live SkyDrive. The program will automatically display the login window with options to store the login data for easier usage.

SkyDrive Explorer currently offers the following functionality:

• View the structure and contents of folders in SkyDrive.
• View files information (type, size, creation date in GMT format).
• Create new root folders and subfolders.
• Copy files into the storage.
• Delete files and folders.
• Copy files from the storage to the computer.
• Copy folders and subfolders from the storage to the computer keeping their structure.
• Use Drag & Drop for files operations.
• Rename files and folders.
• Create links to SkyDrive folders on your computer.

SkyDrive Explorer makes it easier to work with files that are hosted at the Windows Live SkyDrive service. It provides access to some features that are not offered by the web service itself including multi-file-operations like renaming, deleting or copying multiple files or folders. The standard Microsoft library for Windows Live ID services is used which means that the personal information are not passed to the SkyDrive Explorer engine. The traffic between the local computer system and the online storage uses the https protcol to protect against network snooping.

Windows Live SkyDrive Explorer is available for 32-bit and 64-bit editions of Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7. The program executables can be downloaded from the developer’s website.

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The concept of ZumoDrive is to move the data to a server on the Internet. The data is accessible like any other local folder on the computer or electronic device which makes it interesting for various things like hosting the music collection online. Local software like iTunes acts like the data would be local content.

The online storage provider ZumoDrive uses an algorithm to sync popular documents with the local device so that the data is available even in situations without Internet connection.

ZumoDrive keeps track of edited files providing access to older versions of the same file. It also makes use of a trashcan that can be used to recover – or permanently delete – files. Both of these options are available when logging into the homepage of the service.

The service is offering 1 Gigabyte of free storage space with the option for paid upgrades. An upgrade to 10 Gigabytes of storage space for example costs $2.99 per month.

ZumoDrive is currently in private beta available for Windows and Macintosh. Versions for Apple’s iPhone and Google’s Android plattform will be released soon. You need to enter an invitation code. The following one was provided by Techcrunch and is working at the moment.

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OpenDrive is another service that enters the market which adds itself to the list of available devices in My Computer. It’s currently only available for Windows XP and Windows Vista users but a Mac version is in the making according to the developers.

It’s basically a remote drive that can be used to transfer and synchronize files with the online storage efficiently. One interesting feature is the ability to view links of the files in your OpenDrive folder that can be copied and send to friends and contacts immediately.

OpenDrive comes with basic security settings that allow the owner to manage the access rights of a folder. It can be set to be private, public or viewable to friends, family and contacts.

Users of BOXSTr.com can use OpenDrive without registering a new user account at the website. They can simply login with their BOXSTr user data and their files will be automatically synced with OpenDrive.

Users of the public beta get 1 Gigabyte of storage space which should be enough for most uses.

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