File-sharing is the practice of distributing or providing access to digitally stored information, such as computer programs, multimedia (audio, images, and video), documents, or electronic books.
Types of file sharing:
- Peer-to-peer file sharing: Users can use software that connects in to a peer-to-peer network to search for shared files on the computers of other users (i.e. peers) connected to the network. Files of interest can then be downloaded directly from other users on the network.
- File hosting services: These sites host files so that others can download them. Sometimes these services are used together with Internet collaboration tools such as Forum, blog, or any other medium in which links to direct downloads from file hosting services can be embedded.
As for virtual Learning file-hosting services are the better solution as it is fare easier to use.
If the files shared are videos in our context we speak of video-sharing .
Features:
- Possibility to add descriptions, tags
- Public (files are accessible to everyone) vs. Private (e.g. password-protection)
- automatic synchronizing with local computer: Some file-sharing providers offer clients which enable you to create a virtual drive on your local computer, which is automatically synchronized with your virtual space. If the client is installed on various computers (e.g. of a learning group), the files are automatically updated on all computers, once they go online.
- mobile clients: some services also offer programs for mobile-devices like smart-phones
Normally any learning-platform would include the possibility to upload and share files with partners and participants. Depending on price and service storing space might be limited.
Other file-sharing services are:
- dropbox (2 GB storage for free [Aug. 2011])
- sugarsync (5 GB storage for free [Aug. 2011]) - favorite at the moment
- zumodrive (2 GB storage for free [Aug. 2011])
Uploading ....