OneDrive: Files Restores

Ignoring the awkward name, I'm always happy to see new features being released for the OneDrive service. OneDrive has stored revisions for a while, but Files Restores includes some neat enhancements - like the histogram so you can see the volume of changes.

I love the cloud and features like the Files Restores, but I still buy a USB hard drive every few years to do my own back up. That reminds me... I need to take my year-end snap shot and get the drive to the safe deposit box at my bank.

OneDrive for Business

So Microsoft is releasing the new and improved OneDrive for Business Next Generation Sync Client (OneDrive.exe), but you have to transition from the old client (groove.exe):

"There currently is no automated, in-place takeover or migration of content from the existing OneDrive for Business sync client to the new OneDrive for Business sync client. So we recommend the following steps for users to complete this transition:

• Stop OneDrive site sync on the existing OneDrive for Business sync client
• Rename the local folder previously created by the existing OneDrive for Business sync client
• Set up the new OneDrive for Business sync client to sync to a new local folder"

And, as OneDrive for Business is for the enterprise, you don't so much install the new client as deploy it:

"There are three steps in this process that an IT administrator needs to understand:

1. Add the configuration registry keys to each computer.
2. Deploy OneDrive.exe by running the installer (OneDriveSetup.exe) with the /silent command line parameter.
3. Run OneDrive.exe with desired command line parameters to launch the process."

It is a quiet week at work. Maybe I should give it a whirl.

Amazon Cloud Drive

Unlimited storage for 1 year for $10 using Amazon's Cloud Drive. I've not used the Amazon cloud. Does anyone have any experience with it? OneDrive/Office365 and Dropbox are $70 and $80 respectively for 1 year and 1 TB. (With Office 365, you do get to use Office during that same time frame, so not exactly apples to apples.)

Hate Prison

And OneDrive is Deer Vino. Explains a lot.

RT @HanSoloMio: @SwiftOnSecurity Hate Prison is an anagram for SharePoint… just sayin’ <<ha! #notcoincidence ;)

— Amy Renee (@amyengineer) December 15, 2015

OneDrive Changes

So unlimited space didn't last long with OneDrive...

"Since we started to roll out unlimited cloud storage to Office 365 consumer subscribers, a small number of users backed up numerous PCs and stored entire movie collections and DVR recordings. In some instances, this exceeded 75 TB per user or 14,000 times the average. Instead of focusing on extreme backup scenarios, we want to remain focused on delivering high-value productivity and collaboration experiences that benefit the majority of OneDrive users.
Here are the changes:

• We’re no longer planning to offer unlimited storage to Office 365 Home, Personal, or University subscribers. Starting now, those subscriptions will include 1 TB of OneDrive storage.
• 100 GB and 200 GB paid plans are going away as an option for new users and will be replaced with a 50 GB plan for $1.99 per month in early 2016.
• Free OneDrive storage will decrease from 15 GB to 5 GB for all users, current and new. The 15 GB camera roll storage bonus will also be discontinued. These changes will start rolling out in early 2016."

HP Stream Laptop - Plus Office 365

I've rolled the dice on an HP Stream 13" laptop. When I bought it, it was $200. It is back to $230 now. We needed something for my wife and I was thinking about shelling out for some cloud storage. The laptop comes with one year of Office 365 Personal which includes 1 TB of OneDrive storage. If I had bought the Office 365 subscription separately, it would have been $70.

I've completely rationalized this now, so it is just a $130 laptop. If it doesn't meet her needs, then we aren't out much. I could probably let my 6 year old use it. Although, she would probably be baffled by the lack of a touch screen!

Dropbox and Office

Wow. I'm surprised that Microsoft is working with Dropbox when they have their own cloud storage.

Dropbox Personal and Business

I had this in my queue before I just posted about the OneDrive unlimited space. I will note that I am already running my personal OneDrive account side by side with my OneDrive for Business.

Tip of the week: Connect your personal & work @Dropbox accts to keep everything in its place http://t.co/90RUzB8Kp7 pic.twitter.com/YseDKimq7E
— Dropbox for Business (@dropboxatwork) October 24, 2014

OneDrive - Unlimited Cloud Storage

Wow... Microsoft is going unlimited on its Office 365 OneDrive cloud storage.

Low Cost HP Windows Laptops

Low cost HP Windows Laptops. This looks really impressive http://t.co/whNPyoA143
— Wally (@wbm) September 30, 2014

"HP's Stream brand will now encompass laptops with 11.6-, 13.3- and 14-inch screens, while tablets will be available with 7- or 8-inch screens; all the devices will run Windows 8.1. The Stream 7 tablet is the cheapest of the bunch, priced at just $100, while the Stream 8 will cost $150. The Stream 11 laptop will cost $200, followed by the Stream 13 at $230. All the devices will go on sale in November."

It would be worth it for this alone... Office 365 Personal is $70/year:

"Each device will come with a one-year subscription package to Microsoft services that includes Office 365 Personal, 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage and 60 monthly minutes of Skype. Additionally, the Stream 8 will include 200MB of free 4G data each month for the life of the device at no additional cost."

Storage

I know there are pros and cons to various storage options, but the Microsoft Office 365 subscription is really attractive. You can get 1 TB of OneDrive space plus Office for $6.99/month. I may have to buy a laptop to support my consulting work and would like to get the new version of Office. Instead of shelling out for the full version all at once, I can pay $7/month or $70 for the year. (If you want to install Office on up to five devices, you can $9.99/month or $99.99/year.)

On-line storage comparison at the Technologizer

I can't wait to see how Google, Dropbox, etc. respond!

OneNote

So Microsoft is releasing a free version of OneNote. I'm still on my search for the perfect organizational tool. Lately, I've been using ToDoist for tasks and have dabbled with Evernote. I've still not settled on storage (Box, Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive) either.

Anyone a OneNote fan?

SkyDrive is now OneDrive

So Microsoft lost a fight over the name and their cloud file service is now OneDrive. I'm still using Dropbox, Box, and Google Drive in addition to OneDrive. I'm too cheap to pay for a service and I don't have a favorite at the moment, so I'll just keep using all them to meet my collective needs.