PipeBytes: Simple Internet File Transfers

[Ralf Maximus]

Sometimes you just want to send somebody a file, period.  If you're lucky enough to have an FTP server handy, or your ISP permits emailing big files it's not too hard.  But occasionally you might find yourself using an alien computer on the wrong side of the firewall.  What then?

Enter PipeBytes.

http://www.pipebytes.com/index.php



It's an internet service accessed by going to the PipeBytes web page.  Nothing to install, and (they say) it works in most browsers on most operating systems.  It's absurdly simple and requires no registration to use -- and free to you, since it's ad supported.

To send a file, click the "Send" button and browse for it.  Attach an optional message describing what you're sending.  Hit the "Upload" button and instead of spooling your file immediately, you get a nice hypertext link and a pickup key.  Send your recipient the link + key, they login to PipeBytes and enter the key.  THAT's when your file streams to their computer.

At no time is your file stored on anyone's server, so it offers a bit more privacy than other solutions.  However, the model only supports one-time A-to-B transfers, which means it's not a broadcast mechanism or file sharing platform.  And that may be exactly what you need sometimes.

[nite_monkey]

I just tested it, and I don't know if it was just me or what, but the transfer was very slow.
I started the upload from FF, and downloaded it with IE, on the same computer, and it would take about 30 min.
The file was like 30 megs, and I am using cable. I downloaded the file from the original server in less then 30 min.

[Renegade]

There are a ton of sites like this. Perhaps the most popular is RapidShare.de... Or at least in the warez and porn scene anyways...

YouSendIt.com is good as well.

Of course they have limits though. I think the PipeBytes "no limit" thing is a gimmick to get attention for the time-being.

The company I work for has been doing the same basic thing for years now. There's an English demo site at http://engdemo.internetdisk.com/ (It's not geared towards end-users, but as a demo for corporate use). It's a bit different though in that it comes as a packaged solution for companies/organizations and as a turn-key solution for ISPs. The scale and function set is much larger than on all the web sites that do it. e.g. It is accessible via the web through a browser, as a client application, and also integrates into the OS to make your virtual disk space look the same as a local hard drive. There are other companies that have similar solutions, but I haven't seen any with as complete a function set as InternetDISK.

[f0dder]

Hm, does it stream through their server, or directly from client to client? Probably through their server...

[Ralf Maximus]

I just tested it, and I don't know if it was just me or what, but the transfer was very slow.
I started the upload from FF, and downloaded it with IE, on the same computer, and it would take about 30 min.
The file was like 30 megs, and I am using cable. I downloaded the file from the original server in less then 30 min.

I doubt the java code or whetever they use to manage the transfer is smart enough to know both of your computers are inside your firewall.  So your file is taking a tour of the internet.

When you consider what's happening -- bytes streaming up to your ISP and back down again -- a 30 minute round-trip that originally took 30 minutes to download one way is pretty good.  If you're using standard consumer-grade broadband, your upload limit is probably capped way lower than your download speed, so that'd be the limiting factor.

Of course they have limits though. I think the PipeBytes "no limit" thing is a gimmick to get attention for the time-being.

The "no limit" thing makes sense when you consider that all PipeBytes does is negotiate a peer-to-peer transfer then backs out of the process. 

My understanding  is that you are not uploading to their servers at any time.  Think of it as an easy two-computer BitTorrent session, utilizing some browser-based code to do the heavy lifting.

Thus, no reason for them to impose limits, and no worries about what you're transmitting... since the file is never on their hardware, they're never hosting it, and thus avoid prosecution for potential copyright violations.

RapidShare and other services *do* store the file, even if for a limited time.  And many of the free sites impose stupid user tricks on the experience, like making you wait for a queue position.

I'm not saying PipeBytes is wonderful; I hardly know them.  But it's certainly different than anything else I've seen out there.  Even if they're out of business in six months it's an interesting approach to a common need.

[Renegade]

I so totally skimmed... I missed that it wasn't stored on a server. 

Nifty!

[f0dder]

I so totally skimmed... I missed that it wasn't stored on a server. 

Not stored on, but buffered through - still 'meh'.

[nosh]

Here's an app that lets someone download/upload straight to your PC using just a web browser, no intermediate server involved. I haven't tried it though. I'm guessing it's secure enough but anything that opens up door to my PC frankly makes me paranoid. 

http://www.wfshome.com/

[scancode]

Here's an app that lets someone download/upload straight to your PC using just a web browser, no intermediate server involved. I haven't tried it though. I'm guessing it's secure enough but anything that opens up door to my PC frankly makes me paranoid. 

http://www.wfshome.com/

HFS does the same, and it's free.
http://www.rejetto.com/hfs/