The technological revolution has lied to us. The average computer user believes that he or she can attach any kind of file, no matter how large it is, to an e-mail without any dilemmas. But whenever we set out to send that blockbuster video or that folder of heart-warming pictures by sticking it inside of an e-mail, the only thing that we experience is a three-hour load time.
Ten minutes after this treacherous anticipation, a letter from the e-mail server pops into our inboxes, crying, “Delivery Failed.” However, the technological revolution is still progressing: we now have YouSendIt.com, an online service created to deliver bulky files, thus voiding the “Delivery Failed” message once and for all.
YouSendIt.com may be the most user-friendly website that I’ve ever explored. The interface is a simpler, more coherent version of a basic e-mail server. YouSendIt.com is truly no more difficult than typing your e-mail address in the “From” line and your recipient’s address in the “To” line (“from” is on top, “to” is on bottom).
You can type a message if you feel so inclined, and then simply press the “Select File” button to browse for the file that you wish to send. The free, and thus quite basic, service has a size limit of up to 100 MB, and you will be prompted to create a free account if your package is greater than 20 MB.
Once your file is sent, the recipient acquires an e-mail containing a link to where YouSendIt.com stored your file. The recipient is also informed of the limited time frame that he or she has to obtain the file, but this window is by no means narrow. The speed and simplicity of YouSendIt.com truly make it a force to be reckoned with.
My problems with the website are few and far between, and I am actually willing to live with them, considering how effective the free file transfer service is. A recurring annoyance that one experiences when sending files is a pop-up box asking the user to upgrade to the professional service for $10.00/month. While this is not exactly a bad deal, considering that this feature allows you to send files of up to 2 GB, it is tiresome to see the advertisement each time you need to send a file. But I am more than willing to overlook this issue. In this modern world, we must realize that the true price for most commodities is our patience.
Overall, YouSendIt.com is a fantastic website. I have employed it on numerous occasions academically and professionally, and I have never seen a single problem with any delivery. The website truly is close to perfection: it is an obvious A+.