[nabs-l] Zumo Drive

Sun Mar 8 06:51:19 UTC 2009

Hey Peter,

To you and anyone else more interested in cloud computing.

This past year I purchased a media Linksys router that enables me to do the
very same thing with the only cost being the router and my choice of
storage. With some technical understanding I was able to utilize the ftp
software that comes with the router to originally turn my 1 GBS jump drive
into a storage device accessible either through my local network or via the
web. 

By obtaining your external ip address I can type in the ftp address with the
external ip address and get my username and password page to the jump drive.
When I log in I will have the web based windows explorer environment to go
into my jump drive and access my music or files. I now have a 200 GBS. Hard
drive connected to my router that allows me to access all my files from
anywhere I have internet access. 

I believe that Apple has a similar router called the Time Capsule, and I am
sure there are other routers available. I caution interested consumers to
not simply look for a router with an usb port, but to make sure that their
product has ftp capabilities. My ext venture is to see if I can run a web
server off of my drive in order to see if I can utilize a free web hosting
for personal items of recommendation.

All routers come with firewalls, and it is separate from my computers, so I
feel comfortable with the security of this drive. I also intend on
purchasing a terabyte drive to keep all my electronic life backed up in
addition to the two drives I regularly utilize. My current expense is a
$150.00 Linksys router, and a $100.00 hard drive. With current technology
trends I am pretty sure I can now get a Terabyte drive for $100.00 and
perhaps for $89.00 from looking blindbargains a couple months ago. 

For individuals that do not feel interested in wasting the time of setting
this venture up, it is pretty easy to ask a sighted individual to do.
Although the Linksys is completely practical for jaws users. The ease of
accessing the drive is even easier, so you do not have to be a technical
geek in order to accomplish this task.

I personally went this rout as I am pretty aggressive with my computers and
find my software explorations to be slightly destructive to the liability of
my laptops. I have yet to destroy a computer, but I like the opportunity to
sit at a campus desktop and access my life at the potential reality that I
might kick the bucket with my laptop.

Sincerely,

Mandarino

Router specs to consider -

Usb for external storage access.
Remote accessibility from the web,
ftp software,
duel band capabilities, (recommended)
1 Gbs. Processor,

-----Original Message-----
From: nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
of Peter Donahue
Sent: Saturday, March 07, 2009 3:27 PM
To: NFBnet NFBCS Mailing List
Cc: Professionals in Blindness Education Division List; NFBnet GUI Talk
Mailing List; NFB of Missouri Mailing List; NFBnet Blind Talk Mailing List;
nabs-l at nfbnet.org; programmingblind at freelists.org; nfb-web at nfbnet.org
Subject: [nabs-l] Zumo Drive

Good afternoon everyone,

    Some of you on certain lists probably heard me saying, "I'm putting my 
files in the clouds." I'm doing this via a neat service I heard about on a 
Web 2.0 Podcast. The service is called "Zumo Drive." It's a hybrid cloud 
storage application that permits you to store files remotely so they'll be 
available from any computer you use. Unlike other types of remote storage 
solutions Zumo Drive integrates with your PC and is accessed via My 
Computer. Those of you that use external drives know that it appears as an 
additional drive whenever you enter My Computer or Windows Explorer.

    Think of Zumo drive as an auxiliary drive without the physical hardware.

Instead of your files being stored on a physical drive they're stored on a 
secure remote server which can be accessed from multiple computers and 
mobile phones. This is achieved by downloading and installing the Zumo Drive

Application which you can obtain from their Web Site. Both the Zumo Drive 
Web Site and the application are accessible and very easy to use; 
particularly because it appears as an additional drive on your computer. I 
believe this is what's commonly called a virtual drive. The only 
accessibility glitch I encountered was when I needed to register my copy 
with their service. Using your screen reader's mouse cursor should allow you

to complete the registration on your own once the "Registration" Icon is 
activated.

    Once installed and your account is created Zumo Drive works exactly like

any other drive on your PC. It's possible to store files locally on your 
computer, or save them on your Zumo Drive from within any application; 
although larger files may take longer to save due to their having to be 
transferred to the remote server. It's also possible to save a file obtained

from another Internet location directly to your Zumo Drive. I did this this 
morning and think it's pretty cool.

    Depending on their type the files saved remotely will be downloaded and 
open in the application or in the case of audio and video content will 
stream to your PC. For example I was able to listen to a podcast on Virtual 
Colonoscopy on Mary's computer though the file does not reside on her 
machine. It was a simple matter of opening up  QuickTime, and typing 
Z:\path\filename. The file opened and the documentary began playing exactly 
as it would if stored on the local machine.

    Upon creating your Zumo Drive Account you receive 1 GB of storage space 
to allow you to try the system out. There are several subscription plans you

can purchass depending on the amount of remote storage you require. But 
enough from me. For additional information visit:
http://www.zumodrive.com

    Since file storage is always an important concern I wanted to share this

information with everyone. All the best for a great weekend.

Peter Donahue

 "Given a chance to dream it can be done.
The promise of tomorrow is real.
Children of Spaceship Earth the future belongs to us all."
Flying for Me,
John Denver 

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