Thanks to Daniel I was informed about Ubuntu One, which I now can use, as my invitation arrived. Ubuntu One, just like Dropbox, provides 2GB of online storage and can be used for free to share files. While I liked the idea since I got to know Dropbox, I’m not so sure if I like Ubuntu One.
The good
An easy installation process is provided and although a bug is known and the installation button has to be clicked twice (just read it, didn’t even realize that myself), everything worked flawlessly. A new folder is created and opening Nautilus, it’s shown on the left underneath documents, pictures and so on. Next to that, an icon appears on the taskbar besides the clock. Similiar to Dropbox, this icon is used to illustrate the syncing process. Overall, a seemless integration into Ubuntu 9.04, which is the required minimum for Ubuntu One.
The bad
It’s a new project and lots has do be done, so don’t get me wrong here, I’m just trying to point out things that disturb me and might not make me use the service for it’s current purpose (more below). For starters, there’s the need to have Ubuntu. Well, it’s a Ubuntu project, but hardly anyone I know actually does use this fine piece of operating system. My friend over at Schacknetz (see Blogroll) who introduced me to Ubuntu, went on to use a Mac. Next to that, I find it hard to convince people that Ubuntu or other Linux distributions work really well for ‘normal people’ since a while and to be honest, I don’t really care what they use. It’s actually fun to see people arguing about bugs in an operating system while I sit alongside smiling. 
My point is though, that I have to think of who I want to share files with and eventually end up using cross plattform software anyway.
The web interface is another issue. While I wasn’t able to check my pictures I uploaded for testing purposes, I found the whole appearance to be quite, …lets say…, naked. I will have to try later again and the idea of a beta phase is feedback but I miss so many features already, which are well known from other services like Dropbox. Since I am currently not able to view my files, I can’t say much about the way that works, but I miss something that Dropbox implemented: showing me details on changes of a file and/or folder.
Conclusion
I was fairly hard to this new project but can’t see myself using something that isn’t cross plattform, especially because I’m working with more than one operating system. Services such as Dropbox had a while to get better and I will have to wait how Ubuntu One will develop. What might be really interesting though, is the idea to build applications using Ubuntu One.
If you’re interested in trying out Ubuntu One, you can request an invitation here. Thanks To MacMacken, here are the terms and conditions as well as the privacy policy.
Anyway. Understanding that synced files which are also saved online (good if your computer suddenly doesn’t start anymore for example) are a nice thing, let me show you how it works.
