PipeBytes, File transfers Made Easy

PipeBytes, as it states, is a revolutionary way to transfer files to friends and coworkers across the miles, almost free.

As an avid connoisseur of transferring or exchanging files across the miles, I am always looking for a more rapid and reliable method of doing so with as little costs to me and defiantly no costs to the recipient. Gone are the days of Rogers high-speed cable service with its minuet flaw that with a little of a little proggie called F–kup IP, I was able to transfer files at over 430,000 bytes a second. My poor sister in Calgary can certify to that as more then once I crashed her computer during our multiple file exchanges. Once about every fifteen minutes or less if I recall correctly, sorry Sis.

Still using, msn, icq, skype and yahoo messenger as well as varied e-mail programs including Gmail, depending on the file size, and what the receiving party has installed on their computer, I am always on the lookout for better choices. Choices, which would allow me to transfer large blocks of information to a family member, friend or client without having to install needless software, fast and efficiently, which often may just be a onetime need.

Enter PipeBytes, a simple service, according to the creator, that allows you to transfer a file with, NO software to install, you just need a web browser. PipeBytes also states your file can be of any size. It goes on to state the exchange is private, as it is a one-to-one transfer and you can continue to work while the file or files are transferring without any interruptions or loss of computing power.

Apart from having to have JavaScript enabled, PipeBytes does have its limits with promises of better things to come. For instance, as it presently exists you can transfer files to only one individual at time. Personally, I feel that is more then acceptable unless you are planning on having a file transfer party.

Secondly, should your file transfer be interrupted there is no resume option, although PipeBytes assures us they are working on that as well as other beneficial options.

While PipeBytes is FREE, like all of us the creator of PipeBytes (Vadim Zaliva of Tristero Consulting and Crocodile Group aka CodeMinders) does have to eat. The income for the PipeBytes service is derivative of the advertising on the site itself.

Q: Great service! Is it really free? How do you plan to cover your bandwidth expenses?
A: Our service is supported by advertisement.

You can read further FAQ’s and questions for PipeBytes here.

Conclusion

While PipeBytes is a basic service without the frivolous bells and whistles, much to my liking I did note one little hiccup when doing a test file transfer of a 27.53 MB. The time to transfer was going to take me 7 hours and 48 minutes and climbing at a restricted speed of 128 kbps set by PipeBytes. To ensure I was able to transfer my files up to 1.5 mbps I needed to purchase a 24 hour speed pass for just 99 cents via PayPal. I would like to note that the receiving party and I were both using a high-speed cable internet connection.

Disappointed, yes because while I knew I had the option of purchasing a speed pass I did not think I would be limited as I was without one. That aside I was impressed that true to its word there was no software downloads, no click here to agree to terms of service or any other hidden undesirables. Just a quick and clean find and send my file as on any other file transfer program and the required link and key for your recipient to access and accept the file transfer in question. It was just that easy.

While I did not take the time to pay the 99 cents from my PayPal for a 24-hour speed pass, I found I was more then satisfied that PipeBytes was indeed true to its word when it stated, “No software downloads, just use your browser and transfer files of any size”. One concern I did have was would my computer slow down during the file transfer process. In all honesty, I found no lagging of my computer and other programs during the testing process. It was as if I was not even transferring a file at all. Can I verify that the speed pass would have made my transfer tests any faster, no? However, based on my personal research and testing so far, and the seemingly honest repertoire about PipeBytes and what it can and cannot do at present by Zaliva to date, I am sure that it will.