RSSMicrosoft Acquires FolderShare for Windows Live
By Nate Mook | Published November 3, 2005, 1:49 PM
AudioGalaxy founder Michael Merhej is now a Microsoft Employee with grand plans. On Thursday, Microsoft announced it had acquired Merhej's new company, FolderShare, which provides software to remotely access and synchronize files. Microsoft will incorporate the technology into its Windows Live services.
With its launch in 1999, AudioGalaxy pioneered P2P technology and quickly became the number-one file sharing service online with over 80 million users. But after Napster came crumbling down in 2000, AudioGalaxy was a prime target for the RIAA and Merhej opted to close up shop rather than face the legal attack hounds.
But Merhej took what he learned and applied the same concepts and technology to a more legitimate business, which became known as FolderShare. Users of the free service simply download the FolderShare Satellite -- the name Merhej also gave to his AudioGalaxy software -- that keeps track of document changes and offers remote access to files using a Web browser.
FolderShare parent company ByteTaxi says its target audience is anyone needing to share files with friends and colleagues, or those with multiple devices who want to keep their documents always up to date wherever they are. The approach seems to be working; in the last year, the service counted 350,000 users.
Microsoft has not said what it plans to do with the FolderShare technology, but promised to keep the free service running as is. The acquisition fits into the company's new Windows Live vision of online services to complement Windows desktop functionality.
A company spokesperson did offer BetaNews one example of how it envisions integrating FolderShare into future offerings.
"On Nov 1, we announced Windows Live and one thing we demonstrated in the technology preview of Windows Live Messenger was something called Sharing Folders that allows two Messenger contacts to set up synchronized folders. FolderShare technology could potentially help us add additional features to this basic level of functionality in the future," the spokesperson said.
But for now, no "Windows Live Remote Access" or "Windows Live File Sync" service has been announced.
I have been using Folder Share for a while now. I use it to sync my Favorites and another folder between four computers that I use (home and work). I really hope that Microsoft doesn't mess with it too much.
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|There is an ad for Google Desktop Search!
I logged into the other computer I have connected and there is an ad at the bottom for Google Desktop Search.
I wonder if Microsoft realizes that....
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|Yup. If you have GDS installed on the computers you setup, you can *instantly* search all files on them. It's incredible how fast it is. I have 2 120GB drives almost completely full, and a complete search takes less than half a second.
***EDIT***
Just a clarification: what I meant is that you can search your computers from the FolderShare website if you have GDS installed on them. I wasn't just advertising GDS lol.
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|My co-worker just installed it at home and at work and he can access all his home pc's files from work. What I don't understand is why Microsoft would do this. It's a cool program and all but wouldn't make it easy to illegally share music and other copyright material(P2P)?
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|Probably. But it's _highly_ traceable if it is used for that.
I don't think they're too worried about it. Anyone who would use it for illegal filesharing is an idiot.
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|Wow. Just installed Foldershare on my computer. The ease of use is really cool and really scary all at the same time. I mean... there's my whole computer.... online...
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