Gladinet Cloud Desktop Starter Edition 3.2.799

Overview

Gladinet Cloud Desktop Starter Edition is a useful application that facilitates synchronization between your computer's files and Amazon/Google cloud storage databases, so you can always have a live backup of your computer stored online, and/or you can always access a continually updated backup of your Google Docs directly from within your desktop.

Installation

With a file size of about 17 MB, this software takes up very little disk space and downloads quickly. Depending on which installer you use to download the software, you may be asked to install third-party applications, however doing so is not necessary to complete the setup. After completing the installation process you'll be given a comprehensive visual tour that walks you through setting up all of the basic features.

Interface

The user interface is visually appealing, intuitive, and conducive to productivity. A drop-down menu in the top left corner provides easy access to your Gladinet Cloud, Advanced Backups, and Advanced Settings. You can quickly attach new cloud storage accounts to your drive, open the existing drive, adjust proxy setup settings, and upgrade to Pro edition by clicking one of the appropriate button icons located along the top of the main window.

Pros

• Two-way synchronization offers ultimate redundancy, as the data on your computer is constantly being backed up to an online database, while you're online cloud storage is continually backed up to your computer or a designated external storage device. You can synchronize specific folders on your computer with designated folders in your cloud storage accounts to ensure that the file versions are identical between the two

• Seamlessly integrates with Windows Explorer to provide streamlined functionality

• Offers transfer task scheduling capabilities, so you can automate the process of transferring files between your computer and your online cloud storage account

• Lets you upload/download folder structures, so your files will be backed up in archives that are identical to that of the original

• Pro version makes it possible to sign into multiple cloud storage account using a single set of login credentials. This feature is particularly useful because it simplifies the process of managing multiple online backups and cloud storage databases

• Makes your Gladinet Cloud Drive (a centralized collection of multiple cloud storage spaces), available on your local hard drive at all times, so you can access it even when you're not connected to Internet.

• Each cloud storage account is synchronized to a specific folder within your Gladinet Cloud Drive

Cons

• The free version only lets you synchronize your Google Docs account, so if you want to manage/backup multiple cloud storage accounts you need to upgrade to the Pro version

Alternatives

Although Gladinet provides a unique service because it centralizes the synchronization of multiple cloud storage accounts with your computer's desktop, there are a number of other file synchronization software that help you keep files updated and backed up. The most relevant and notable alternatives include Dropbox, SugarSync (Win, Mac), Microsoft SkyDrive, Google Drive, and Syncplicity.

Conclusion

If you're looking for an easy way to manage all of your cloud storage accounts from within your desktop, Gladinet Cloud provides an excellent solution. The free starter edition is particularly ideal for users who only need to synchronize their Google Docs account with their hard drive.