Bits & Bytes: How to Email Large Files

How to Email Large Files

by Tom Kettman, Tech Help (http://www.gotechhelp.com/)

Have you ever tried to send large video files or photos by email, only to be informed that the attachment you're trying to send is too large? The reason for the size limit is that email was not designed to handle large file formats. Large files can bring down entire networks, crash email programs, and frustrate your friends, family, and coworkers. There are alternatives, though--and no, I'm not going to tell you to use the post office.

There is a new crop of web services available that allow you to upload large files to their sites and just send an email with a link to download the file. The advantage is that as people are increasingly using iPhones and BlackBerries to access their email on the go, they can see that you've sent them a file to download but they don't have to suffer through trying to download an email that is too large.

The simplest service I've used is http://www.yousendit.com/. To use the service, simply go to their website, enter the recipient's email address, choose the file you want to upload, and then start the sending process. This service offers a variety of options, both free and paid, depending on file size and usage.

One of the newest sites to offer large file delivery services is http://www.pando.com/. Their system involves installing software on your computer so you can use Outlook directly to complete the process. If you are someone who regularly sends large files, the convenience of being able to use Outlook may be worth the extra hassle of installing the software. This service also has both free and paid options.

Other services are available as well. Some focus strictly on business documents, while others are geared toward casual users. Read through each provider's options to make sure you're getting the right service for you.