Pando and large attachments

Actually, this suggestion from Walt Mossberg comes just in time. Have been working on a presentation using Keynote, and the file has ballooned to over 10 megs, which presents obstacles sending it to clients. Uploading to our FTP site is an option, but usually requires more explanation than just asking someone for an email address. Even though FTP is nearly as old as email, many people are not familiar enough with the technology to be comfortable downloading files without some hand holding.

WSJ.com - The Mossberg Solution How many times have you wanted to email a large attachment -- like a bunch of digital photos, an album of songs, or a hefty video -- but didn't do so because it exceeded your email provider's, or the recipient's, limits on attachment size, or because it might max out the recipient's mailbox? ... This week, we tested a new, free, application called Pando that aims to solve this problem without requiring you to use an intermediary Web site. Pando lets you email huge attachments -- up to one gigabyte each -- to anyone, without breaching email size limits, or clogging anyone's inbox. It comes in versions for both Windows and Macintosh computers, available for downloading at www.pando.com.

It sounded fishy to us, too, but Pando, from Pando Networks Inc., performed really well in our tests -- even in its current “beta,” or trial, stage. It's simple, fast, and effective, and it solves the large-attachment problem.

Pando works by merging the mechanism of email with its own small program and a modified version of BitTorrent, a back-end file-transfer system best known until now for speeding up the downloading of large, unauthorized files, like pirated movies.

My first concern with any 'free' Windows application is always spyware, but according to Pando:

Pando is 100% clean of spyware, adware and viruses. And yes, its free. Enjoy it, and if you run into problems, drop us a quick note directly from Pando by clicking the “beta feedback” link.

So, how are they making money? Not sure, yet, though the corporate blog might say, but am about to test out the program today regardless.

Mossberg continues:

Here's how you use Pando. First, you download and install the small Pando program. Then, you select the files you want to send. These can be any type of files you want, or even whole folders of files. Then, still using the Pando software, you type in the addresses of the recipients, the subject, and a message. The software then does three things: it creates a Pando Package, a small special file that instructs the recipient's computer on how to fetch the files; it sends an email containing that package file, plus any text you want; and it uploads the files to a Pando server.

On the recipient's end, an email is received in his or her normal email program containing the Pando Package as a tiny attachment (one huge 94 megabyte attachment we sent required only a 22-kilobyte attachment). The recipient just opens the Pando Package attachment, and it in turn launches the Pando software, which then downloads the files or folders you sent. The first time the recipient receives a Pando email, he or she will have to download and install the Pando software. There's a link in the email to the download site.

Once downloaded onto the receiver's computer, all Pando files can be found in a special folder that Pando automatically creates. In Windows, it's called My Pando Packages and is in My Documents. On the Mac, it's called Pando Packages and is in the home folder. The files are also listed in the handy Received list in the Pando software.

As a bonus, Pando can sometimes transmit these large files faster than your email program or Web browser could. That's because it uses a modified version of the speedy BitTorrent technology.

From the legal mumbo-jumbo

As a condition of your using the Software and the Service, you agree that you will not (a) use the Software or the Service to download, upload, use, share with others or otherwise copy or distribute music, movies, images or other content for which you have not obtained all necessary rights from the owner or rightful licensor of such content; (b) modify content identifiers (such as the title or the name of the creator of that content) in order to disguise the origin or description of any content; (c) download, upload, use, share with others or otherwise copy or distribute any content that is defamatory, harassing, obscene, invasive of another's privacy, or is otherwise illegal; (d) harm minors in any way, including without limitation by sharing or downloading child pornography; (e) upload, share with others or otherwise distribute any material that contains software viruses or any other computer code, files or programs designed to interrupt, destroy or limit the functionality of any computer software or hardware or telecommunications equipment; (f) interfere with or disrupt the Service or servers or networks connected to the Service, or disobey any requirements, procedures, policies or regulations of networks connected to the Service; (g) export or re-export the Software except in compliance with the export control laws of the United States and other relevant jurisdictions; or (h) collect any information about Pando Network's network or users of the Software or Service by monitoring, interdicting or intercepting any process of the Software or the Service;

Tags: Macintosh, /Technology