Cloud services have rapidly risen in popularity recently and it’s easy to understand why. The growth in use of multiple devices, devices on the go and generally devices with smaller storage capabilities have all heavily leant themselves to the growth in cloud storage but there is another factor. Multiple users having access to the same information for multiple locations.
This final factor more than others has lead to the uptake of cloud storage in business and churches but there are issues. The cost of some services and security of others has come into question recently and as a church you certainly don’t want confidential information getting out.
Luckily there is now a way that you access create your own cloud circumventing the risks of a hacker gaining access to the cloud storage companies data and thus yours (of course they could still hack your own personal cloud so that is always a risk).
It’s called ownCloud; a personal cloud service.
ownCloud
What is so special about ownCloud?
ownCloud is an open source cloud storage system that can be accessed from your computer or mobile device (there are Android and iOS apps) around the world. It has many of the features you associate with cloud storage systems such as uploading, downloading files, calendar sync, sharing files and contact sync as well.
Being open source this isn’t the end of it’s capabilities and many people have added extra functions including task, online music player, document viewers and more (have a look here for a full integrated feature list).
To set up your own…Owncloud you will need.
- A free copy of Owncloud (download here)
- A PHP5 and MySQL compatible webhost.
Quick install guide.
Some webhost offer a oneclick installation from within their control panels but even a FTP solution is very easy.
Installing via FTP
- Upload the “setup-owncloud.php” file to your hosting
- Enter the address http://www.yourdomain.com/setup-owncloud.php
- Follow the online installation instructions
Once you’ve set it up your good to go and you can set about uploading documents, sharing files, syncing services and installing apps.
This may be a great option for a church looking for it’s own cloud storage option which already has a domain and webhost with space to spare. Providing access to resources for the congregation or staff whenever they need it. (or for anyone who wants their own cloud storage service for that matter)
Head over to ownCloud and check it out now.
[via lifehacker]
Bob Miller says
I installed it for work last week and so far it’s really nice. Still getting the hang of it, but it shows a ton of potential to do something ourselves that would cost a lot of money to do with a third party.
Chris Wilson says
Glad to hear it bob 🙂
Eric Dye says
This is great to hear! When you consider how much server space goes unused, this is a pretty awesome solution.
Raoul Snyman says
Welcome to the party. You’re a little late, but I’m sure nobody will mind. 😛
Being a user of KDE, which is where the project comes from, I’ve been following them since the beginning. I’m glad to see they finally have a sync client, that was the one piece of software I felt was most important and shouldn’t be missing.
I must admit that I haven’t actually set up my own instance yet, mostly because I haven’t had the time or a sufficiently up-to-date server to run it on.
Chris Wilson says
well when you do set one up…welcome to the party 😉
I didn’t know it was a KDE development, interesting to compare this with Ubuntu cloud (or whatever it is called) where the desktop is open source but the cloud offering is controlled by canonical.