Sharing big files via internet

After having vacation with my friends, I want to share the photos that I have taken with them. But the problem is, the size of the photos is too big to be attached on email and it will took ages for the photos to be uploaded. I have problem with Gmail when I try to attach file bigger than 5MB. Maybe my internet connection also contributes to the problem.

Then, I thought of sharing the files via free files hosting service like Rapidshare and Megaupload. After compressing the photo files, they took more than 1GB of space. Rapidshare only allows 100MB for each file and 500MB for Megaupload. Hmm, this is not a good idea exactly.

Then I thought of allowing my friends accessing my computer using FTP. If you are using Windows XP Professional, it is easy for you because you don’t need third-party software. The complete guide can be found here – Beginners Guides: Setting up an FTP Server in WinXP. Since I am using Windows XP Home Edition, I do not favour this solution. The tutorial does cover the part of using the third-party software using Serv-U software. But I had difficulties in installing the software. Besides, some of my friends are using internet from their university’s network which blocks port 21.

And the solution that I taken is to let them access my computer using Internet browser. I share the files using HTTP sharing, which is not too difficult by using a simple software, HFS (HTTP File Server). With great support from this website, even if you know nothing about setting up a server, you still can have your own HTS running. I must say that sharing is made easy with this software. By the way, it is free too.