Speaking of on-line/cloud storage... Wuala

[Richard Pieri]

On Apr 23, 2011, at 9:57 AM, Doug wrote:
> 
> The security looks better. All files are encrypted, then shipped around.

That is the foundation, a cryptree file system fronted by a FUSE driver for Linux and Mac or a callback file system on Windows.  Everything is encrypted locally on the cryptree and then synchronized with the remote/traded storage.  This is what makes the space trading option work.

The early versions had security problems but the Wuala crew are very open to constructive criticisms and have done a really good job of tightening security.

> Is the UI that different? I have been impressed by the simplicity of Dropbox.

Wuala gives you two views into storage.  If you use the FUSE store or "go pro" coupled with the sync option then you get your native file management tools on the native or native-looking file systems.  The Wuala client (written in Java) provides a Finder-like view into the cryptree pool.  There is no web client.

An interesting point about trading.  You don't need to use storage on the trade client.  I currently have one of my Minis running the client as a trader without mirroring any of my data to that node.  The time x space counts towards my account.  That node is already up 24x7 anyway so it incurs no additional cost to me.  My laptop isn't trading storage.

--Rich P.