OwnCloud 4 Released, Now With Encryption, Versioning, More

Computer users who want to store data in the cloud, or synchronize data between their own devices, have the choice between so many different cloud hosting services that it is becoming quite difficulty to keep an overview over all of them. If you prefer full control over your data, ownCloud may be an option, as it is an open source solution that lets you host a cloud service on your own servers.

The core benefit here is privacy and full control over the data. This can be extremely useful for businesses who do not want to or can't host files on third party services, and individual users who want full control over the whole hosting and synchronization service.

The developers have just released a new version of ownCloud which raises the version of the program to 4. The new version introduces several requested features that improve the service significantly.

• Versioning - With this feature enabled, it is possible to restore an older version of a file. A core advantage here is that you can configure the versioninig feature, which you can't do at third party cloud hosting and synchronization services.
• Encryption - You can now configure file encryption so that all files stored on the server are encrypted, and thus only accessible with the correct password.
• Drag and drop upload - The ownCloud web service now supports the dragging and dropping of local files to a directory on the server.
• ODF Viewer - Open Document Format files are now supported by the viewer, and can be read right in the web browser without the need for plugins or programs.
• Themes - If you do not like the look and feel of the ownCloud site, you can now theme and style it yourself, or install a theme created by others.
• Application Store - This makes it easier to install new applications, like the encryption or versioning application on the server.

There is more though to the new version. Here is a list of additional changes and improvements:

• External Storage - This is an experimental feature that allows you to mount Google Drive and Dropbox storage as folders inside the ownCloud structure
• Syslog support - OwnCloud can now write to syslog log files, and of course the service's own log files
• LDAP / Active Directory - Admins can manage users and groups from LDAP and AD.
• Migration - Options to migrate user accounts between different ownCloud instances, for instance between a primary and backup server.
• Tasks - A to do list that is synchronized automatically.
• Share Calendars - You can now share your own calendar with other users or groups
• File Notifications - Users can now be notified when files are shared with them.
• Galleries - Control over galleries have been improved, including sharing per email options and sort oders.

You can check out the version 4.0 feature overview here on this page. All in all some excellent new features. Have you tried ownCloud yet? If so, what is your impression so far? (via Caschy)