ZumoDrive is yet another example of cloud storage, similar to Dropbox, SpiderOak, SugarSync, box.net, and so on.

Dave, our illustrious leader of PCMech, uses Dropbox and Mozy for file sync and backup on his Macs. Per a recent discussion I had with him about cloud storage, he has no complaints for either service.

I went with ZumoDrive instead. To be completely honest, the main reason I did is because it’s integrated as an app in Yahoo! Mail, and I’m a Y! Mail user. Were I a Hotmail user, I’d be using SkyDrive and/or Windows Live Sync 2011. If I were on Gmail, I’d be using Google Docs as it allows any file you want to be uploaded.

It goes without saying that I like cloud storage solutions that integrate into email, because it’s just so darned convenient.

ZumoDrive has the standard multi-platform support that all the other guys do. Works on Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, Android and so on.

If you elect to use the free storage (as I did), you are given 1GB of space. However this can be bumped easily to 2GB by completing what they call “the Dojo”. This is actually quite intuitive because the Dojo teaches you how to use the system in order to get extra space. In other words, it’s a tutorial that gives you space rewards for completing tasks. When you install the software, you get 256MB. Upload a file, get another 256MB. Share a folder, get another 256MB, and so on. I sincerely appreciated that none of the tutorials did not require you to farm out an annoying request to a friend and have them sign up just to get extra space. Big plus there.

On my netbook I have Windows XP and on my desktop Windows 7. ZumoDrive works on both easily, syncs/backs up on both easily.

There are a few things I seriously like about ZumoDrive that some of the other guys don’t do.

I get a drive letter. Any drive letter I want that’s not in use.

Windows users such as yours truly like drive letters. A lot. ZumoDrive auto-assigns itself to drive Z. If that letter is in use, it takes the next available one. If you don’t like what drive letter it assigned itself, change it, then restart ZumoDrive (computer restart not required).

Dropbox doesn’t do this, by the way.

My cloud storage looks like a cloud

I know this is a seriously dopey thing to mention, but I genuinely like the fact ZumoDrive’s taskbar icon is an image of a cloud. You basically can’t mistake it for anything else but cloud storage.

Very-obvious-as-to-what-they-are taskbar icons are something I welcome.

When ZumoDrive is syncing, a small animated arrow appears.

In comparison, Dropbox’s taskbar icon is, of course, a box. When everything is synced up, there’s a small green checkmark next to it. If syncing it also animates. My only issue with their icon is that it looks too much like an installer program rather than a sync service. Yes, I know, this is a nitpick, but I did notice it.

Sync any folder

The reason I dumped Dropbox is because it only let me sync one folder. Granted, this folder can have subfolders galore and sync everything under it – but – you cannot go outside the root folder you pick.

ZumoDrive allows any folder to be synced. Right-click, “Link folder to ZumoDrive”, done. Unlinking folders is just as easy.

Verdict: ZumoDrive is good

I give ZumoDrive a thumbs-up. It’s a simple enough service, I get my drive letter, it works between XP and 7 flawlessly and is accessible in my Y! Mail. Works for me.

If you are already using a cloud storage solution and like how it works, I’m not telling you to switch to ZumoDrive. Whether you use Dropbox, SkyDrive, Google Docs or what-have-you, if you like what you have, stick with it.

In the same token however, ZumoDrive is the most Windows-friendly cloud storage solution I’ve used. If you don’t use Windows or Y! Mail, this service probably wouldn’t interest you other than the fact their extra storage pricing is tough to beat.

As far as service reliability is concerned, I just started using the service so I can’t really speak on that.

Will ZumoDrive be around tomorrow?

Cloud-based storage no matter the provider is still a very young market. ZumoDrive initially appeared in February 2009. In comparison, Dropbox, although initially released in September 2008, didn’t go to stable release until February 2010.

None of us at this point have any idea whether cloud-based storage service providers are going be around tomorrow or not.

Fortunately, anything that syncs does pull an original copy of the files from your hard drive or mobile device, so if the service goes away, you still have your original copies.

In other words, cloud-based storage is good, but periodically making local copies on DVDs or USB sticks is still a very good idea.

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