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G2G - File sharing using Gmail

Written by James Delahunty @ 30 Nov 2005 4:54 User comments (4)

G2G - File sharing using Gmail A Dutch student Robbie Groenewoudt has put together a file sharing service that just might help you fill up that 2GB of storage space that Google's Gmail service offers to its users. Basically the service relies on you handing over some login information of your Gmail account to get it indexed (so it's recommended you get a new account just for G2G). Uploading files is done by composing a new email, adding the attachment and sending it to yourself. The service uses Gmail labels to help with indexing.
Of course there is the problem that Gmail has an attachment file size limit of 20MB. However, if you use WinRAR to split large files up into smaller files, G2G will recognize all these files as one. Files that you add to your Gmail accounts will show up once G2G is updated every 24 hours. The reason for the 24 hour gap is simple; it's a very resource demanding process.

In it's current state, G2G is far from perfect. However, the website does remind users that it is still in beta phase. Google has not yet given any reaction to G2G, but if the service does grow then it is likely the company will be pressured into somehow blocking the service from groups such as the RIAA.



Sources:
PC Pro
G2G

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4 user comments

12.12.2005 08:50

I thought Gmail blocked rar and zip attachments? I'm sure it used to anyway...

22.12.2005 11:28

Well, you could change the extension and change it back again later...

33.12.2005 02:52

Yeah, that was a no-brainer to work out ;-) So does G2G change rar extentions to another, or are rar files now allowed, or do you have to do it manually?

43.12.2005 20:50

Well, I just tried to use my Gmail to send a RAR file, and it didn't let me. They still don't allow RAR files to be emailed. I repeated the experiment after changing the RAR extension to .Doc and I was able to attach and send.

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