Software Updates

2009

Release Date

Scope

Module

Description

2008

Release Date

Scope

Module

Description

FileShare Management (Edit links, View Links, Generate Links)

Editing, managing, and creating more FileShare links is now easier and faster. Change link settings, expire or extend links, or generate new copies of existing links in seconds, all from the Manage Links screen. The Manage Links also now keeps a history of all prior links, for your record keeping.

FileShare Link Creation

FileShare Links now have an "Auto Play" option, so guests can immediately View or Play files you share. Right after recipients click your FileShare link: Photos start playing in a Slideshow, Videos start, Music streams and plays, and Documents open online in the page viewer. You can also now send FileShare links directly from Microsoft Outlook® using the "Send with Outlook" button. File Sharing Links can also be set now to "Never Expire", so you can keep your files shared forever.

FileShare Link View and Usability

FileShare links have been redesigned to provide a vastly improved experience for file sharing recipients. Recipients are now able to access links from their favorite browser and easily navigate through folder structures from the updated FileShare Link.

FileShare link recipients now have a more fluid, optimized file layout. The new design implements preview thumbnails, dropdown menus, text-in-file search, paging, enhanced online document viewing, streaming media playback and simple multi-file downloading. With all of these improvements, it is easier than ever to share any number of files, of any type, to anyone.

Improved ZipDownload Compression

Improved automatic multi-file Zip downloading: fastest-ever compression for convenient folder and multiple-file downloads.

File and Folder Properties Module

Redesigned Folder Properties, File Properties and Keyword selection screens.

Shared Folders Report

Shared Folders Report shows important details about who has access to your shared folders. View on-screen or export to Excel.

Handy Backup 6.1.0

The Latest version of our Handy Backup program is now available.  Now includes support for backing up Outlook 2007 and Windows Vista mail!  This update also makes it easier to sort backup jobs, and create encrypted exports of your backup job definitions.  Install the latest version update here.

AJAX Storage Calculator

Calculate your overall account files and storage space used on demand, with the new AJAX account calculator.  Just click Recalculate and you can continue working in FilesAnywhere while the total account storage is computed in the background.

FilesAnywhere Inbound Fax Service

Now you can Go Green with our paperless faxing solution, allowing you to do all of your faxing by web! FilesAnywhere Web Fax is the only service that allows you to receive faxes from any standard fax machine directly into an electronic document stored in your FilesAnywhere account. You get your own dedicated fax number immediately after activating this feature. View, Print, Forward, Send, Organize, and Store Faxes all online. FilesAnywhere can also forward all new faxes to your email.

To Start, right click on any folder within your account, choose the 'Service Plugins...' option and then 'Receive Fax'.

View and Share your pictures like a professional using FilesAnywhere's all-new Flash Slideshow!  Share your photos with family, friends, and the world with this smooth, easy-to-use, professional gallery and slideshow.

Actual FileShare link with FilesAnywhere Flash Slideshow: FilesAnywhere Slide Show Example

FilesAnywhere Interface Profiles  

FilesAnywhere now invites you to select an interface profile that matches your individual needs. Interface Profiles include: Professional User, Simple, Home/Media, and FA Standard. The toolbar, menus and screen tabs change to show the features that match the chosen profile.

How to choose a profile: click 'Profile' on the toolbar, select the 'Screen Settings' tab, then select a profile under 'Custom Menus/Toolbars'.

FilesAnywhere Streaming HD Audio/Video Player

Experience HD-quality video and audio directly from your FilesAnywhere account.  Using the Media View, simply click play on the movie file and enjoy the smooth playback!  FilesAnywhere Video Player supports playback of industry-standard H.264 and HE-AAC in existing MP4, M4A, MOV, MP4V, 3GP,3G2, and FLV files.  MP3 and WMV (Windows Media) files also stream from FilesAnywhere.  

FilesAnywhere Fax Service

Send faxes directly from your online account to any fax machine in the world! 
How to Fax: right-click any file in your account and choose Service Plugins - Send Fax. Directly fax any MS Office document (.xls, .doc, etc.), PDF, graphic/photo or text file. You can also browse and view all sent faxes online. 

FileShare Cover Page
Capture Handwritten E-Signatures

Use this feature to add a Cover Page to any new FileShare link.  Use the Cover Page to display terms and conditions, entire agreements, instructions, or a welcome message, before guests can access the files you share.  Require an input field of any type, a simple "I Agree" checkbox, or capture a handwritten signature electronically on the screen, as an official record that guests agree to your cover page language, before receiving files you are sharing.  Access this feature by choosing the "Cover Page" option when a creating a FileShare link. 

Picnik: Edit Photos Directly From Your Account

Edit Photos or Images directly from your account (works with: JPG, BMP, GIF, TIF).  Apply popular effects to enhance your pictures, like resize, rotate, contrast, color, red-eye removal, overlay text notes and more.  Changes are saved directly back to your account, with no upload or download.

To edit photos in your account:  Right-click on any photo in your account, choose 'Service Plugins', then 'Picnik Editor'.

AutoDesk Engineering Drawing Viewer

View AutoCAD engineering drawings directly from your account, without any download. Drawings open in Autodesk Freewheel inside your web browser.

To view AutoCAD files:  Right-click on a DWF file in your account, choose 'Service Plugins', then 'Autodesk Freewheel'.

Zoho Editor for Spreadsheets, Documents Slideshows

Edit Excel sheets, Word docs or view PowerPoint presentations, directly from your account, all without downloading.  Files open in Zoho, a trusted third-party web application.  Make and save changes to any XLS or DOC file, entirely online.

2007

Release Date

Scope

Module

Description

FilesAnywhere Document Scanning Services

FilesAnywhere now offers Document Management!  Converting your paper documents to online digital format will bring added productivity and organization to your office, in addition to securely archiving your documents offsite.  More information on Document Scanning Services

FilesAnywhere Music Player

Enjoy streaming music directly from FilesAnywhere! Now play all of your favorite music files from your FilesAnywhere account. This cool new feature allows you to just click on any MP3 and the player starts playing that song immediately, then continues to play all other songs in the folder, including subfolders. You can also create your own Playlists, by adding songs to a File View (Add files to Basket, then Save Album).

MetaData Spreadsheet - Direct Editing Online

Using MetaData Spreadsheet, you can search for all data entered on custom MetaData fields and data can be entered on the fly within the grid.  The new feature gives you the options to define Filters, Export entered MetaData into an Excel Spreadsheet, and edit any current MetaData entry form.
To use this feature in your account: Right-click any folder and choose MetaData to define fields for that folder. Then enter data for any files or subfolders in that folder. Simply look for the 'MetaData Browser' button on the MetaData page to give it a Try!  More information on MetaData

Also available now:  FilesAnywhere Document Scanning Services

Folder Contents Report
We released a new feature to output the entire contents of any folder into an Excel report. Many of you requested a way to output a folder listing like the DOS directory command.  The exportable text report opens in Excel and includes every file and subfolder under the selected folder, along with the file size, the path and the upload date.
 
This feature is accessed from the Properties page of any folder. You can use this to document your file inventory, for sharing purposes, compliance reasons, or to compare online file versions with local files.

FilesAnywhere Meets Social Networking
We're excited to announce our new application on the Facebook Platform.  We just released a new Facebook App called "Share Files". This new App combines the power of social networking with simple, effective file sharing, and adds all the great storage features at FilesAnywhere.  If you don't have an account at Facebook yet, it's worth taking a few minutes to signup.  This is a great way to connect to the people you already know.  Our new Share Files app adds a totally new dimension to Facebook - once you login to Facebook you can easily upload and share files to all Friends, or just ones you select.  Your Facebook Friends can also upload files into your Facebook Dropbox.  Best of all, everything is integrated with your FilesAnywhere account, so you can access all of your Facebook files directly from the web login or mobile!
Get the new Share Files app here: FilesAnywhere Facebook App

MetaData - Custom Data Entry Forms for Folders
Using MetaData, you can define your own Custom Data Fields for any folder. Create text fields, checkboxes, dropdown lists, and much more. Then use the MetaData data entry page to add detailed information to any file in the folder. Use MetaData to catalog files or to keep notes on files as they are being worked on (workflow tracking).  Try it out!  Just login and click MetaData on the toolbar or right-click menu to define fields.

New Add-in for Microsoft Office Outlook
The add-in gives you a new button in Outlook that automates Uploading and Sharing so you can send any local files to anyone, effortlessly. Let's say you need to send someone 100 files totaling 750MB - How do you do it? You could burn a disk and mail it, but that takes too much time.

After installing the Outlook add-in, draft a new email message in Outlook, and instead of choosing "Attach File", choose "Send Files via FilesAnywhere". The add-in will prompt you to select local files, and you click Upload Now  that's all you have to do! FilesAnywhere takes care of the rest: the files are automatically uploaded and a FileShare link is created and inserted into your email message, all in one step. No need to login at the website. Recipients just click the link in your email to download your shared files from our server. The add-in encrypts and saves your username/password, so the next time you use the feature in Outlook you don't have to enter your FilesAnywhere info. This add-in will save you time. Best of all: no more size limits sending files in email!

Install the add-in from this page: FileShare Outlook Add-in

The new ZipDownload feature allows huge folders and file selections - now up to 2GB in size - for download as a single compressed file. An "in-process" page is displayed while your files are being compressed. ZIP files are cached for optimal performance when downloading the same file selection again (ideal for FileShare recipients who choose the same ZipDownload multiple times).
 
This feature is directly available from the main toolbar, the right-mouse menu, the Selection Basket, and from Advanced Search.

Handy Backup 5.7.1 is now available.  This version is 100% compatible with Microsoft Windows Vista, and is still compatible with all earlier Windows versions. Install the latest version update here.

Release Date

Scope

Module

Description

Use FilesAnywhere now to store and publish your web content. Create direct, publicly-viewable links to images or document pages, from files saved on your account.  Publish MediaLinks on eBay, MySpace, web blogs, personal web pages, within documents, emails, or anywhere that can display dynamic content from the web!  Just upload a file, then choose "Send Files" then "MediaLink", to create a MediaLink. This is now the fastest and easiest way possible to publish files for public viewing on the web.
   
More Info:  Use MediaLinks to publish photos, graphics, Office document pages and PDF pages, directly from files on your FilesAnywhere account. Each MediaLink is a direct URL to an image of your file. Unlike the FileShare feature, MediaLinks can be inserted into your documents and web pages for direct viewing. Our logo appears as a footer on the bottom of the image displayed. You can publish individual pages from documents! All popular Microsoft files types are supported along with PDF, TIFF, and all popular graphics file formats.  Watermarks can also be added.

Example: the small photo to the left is an actual working MediaLink.

Subfolders of GroupShares previously did not show the sharing status. Now the parent folder which is shared shows in the GroupShare tab when you select a subfolder of the actual GroupShare.

Enforce admin rules by Division.  Useful for setting policies for FilesAnywhere user maintenance for different company departments.  Set the maximum assignable storage size and maximum number of users by Division.

Create FileShare links to files and Dropbox links for guest uploads directly online.  No need to wait for an email to arrive - you can make immediate use of these links.  To use the feature, create a FileShare or Dropbox and choose the new option at the top of the screen: "Create a Link for immediate Copy/Paste". 
 
Additionally, whenever a standard FileShare or Dropbox is created, the confirmation page now shows all emails and links that were created.  This is a nice additional confirmation, and if needed these links can be copied/pasted for immediate use.

Now change your default Main View screen to your favorite view!  When you login, and whenever you refresh your browser, your Custom main View page will be displayed on the right.  This really comes in handy for displaying the MediaFolder by default, File Search, Sharing options, Workgroup Management, new FileShare Link, and more - so it is always immediately available.

The FilesAnywhere Flash Uploader is a great new all-in-one upload tool. This replaces the original Upload page, once you login to your account using the website. The new Flash Upload is very fast and allows multi-file uploads directly from the main view. The new progress bar shows upload status in real time, file-by-file progress, bytes transferred, time remaining, and status bar. Uploads are extremely stable, plus any files uploaded before an interruption are saved to your account. For those who cannot run Flash,  "Classic Upload" is available from the new Profile "Screen Settings" page.  Note: Flash Upload is currently only available using IE/Windows or using the non-SSL login with all other browsers.

The File History Browser, Checkin/Checkout History Browser, and a new "Checked Out Files" Browser have been merged now into a single view.  Using this screen, you can easily see all files that are checked out, and "Undo Checkout" any of them.  Along with detailed File History Logging on individual files and folders.  Note: activate these features from the Properties page of any folder.

Users can now directly open account folders using a very simple WebFolder Access page. WebFolder access allows direct editing of files, and standard copy/paste actions like any standard network folder. Available on both Windows and Mac.

Click here: Simple WebFolder Access

This new build of Handy Backup for FilesAnywhere has an auto-update feature, which will alert you about any new updates automatically.  This version also adds POP3 email backups, so you can backup emails automatically from a remote server to a local folder (for POP3 email server accounts).

The online Web Administration Console to manage user accounts is now supported on all popular browsers and platforms (Windows/Macintosh, IE, Firefox, Safari).

Users of shared folders (GroupShares) can now create Dropbox links to receive files from guests directly into the shared folders. Full Access or Create/Update permission is required for GroupShare users to create Dropbox links.  GroupShare users can also manage their own Dropbox links and track uploads into the shared folders from guests.

Workgroup Administrators can now setup new Workgroup SubAccount users and assign shared folders, all in one step. When adding a new Workgroup SubAccount, the admin can now select an existing folder, or have a new folder created in the Primary Workgroup user account, which is automatically shared to the new user.  The "Disable Personal Space" option is now more intuitive, and this setting follows the folder sharing option that is chosen.

Viewing folders in the web interface is now even faster. A redesign of the folder tree now provides 35% faster refreshes on average.

For rapid search of text inside files, users can now re-index the entire account from the "Advanced" page. Users can now opt to "Run in Background" and get an email when re-indexing finishes.

QuickTime videos you upload to FilesAnywhere will now Play as they download, similar to streaming.  Tip: MOV files need to be saved from QuickTime Pro to play with Progressive Download.

2006

Release Date

Scope

Module

Description

Select files from the MediaFolder thumbnail view or list view, then click "Share Selected" to conveniently share all of the selected files.

Login to FilesAnywhere perfectly from any web-enabled mobile device. Access your account folders with all basic features using your Windows Mobile, PocketPC, Palm or Blackberry device! Browse folders and transfer files with a click of your stylus. Share files with anyone, even view photo and document pages directly from your mobile!

Mobile login: http://m.filesanywhere.com

Online Viewer functions are now available from the Developer API.
 
> Download API Technical Documentation 

Now you can upload a file and send a FileShare link all in one step. To try this: click "Send" on the toolbar, then "Share a Local File".

Simply put a checkmark on all thumbnails of images you want to share and click "Share Selected Items" to share the selected files to anyone. 

Indexing all text in all files for the first time can take several minutes. Instead of waiting, first-time indexing jobs now run in the background and an email is sent when the indexing finishes.

Internet Explorer 7 and Firefox 2.0 web browser versions are now officially supported by FilesAnywhere. To avoid unneeded warnings, we recommend Windows users add this entry to the Trusted Sites list in the IE Security tab:  https://*.FilesAnywhere.com

FilesAnywhere WebFolders are now fully supported on the Macintosh.  FilesAnywhere appears in the Mac Finder just like a network drive, allowing direct file editing.

You can now open documents using the Online Viewer that have as many as 2000 pages.  At the request of some of our enterprise customers, we implemented a Next/Previous paging feature within the document to load thumbnails in paging groups. You can still immediately go to any page in the document.  This also speeds up the load time of all documents with 10 or more pages.  Online Viewing eliminates the need to download. 

This feature displays a customizable Center Watermark on photos and document pages and/or a Footer Watermark. Watermark options become available when you opt for View-Only sharing, preventing downloads. Watermarking helps protect photos, graphic images and document page views, with a non-removable imprint.  FilesAnywhere Watermarking also provides a convenient way for you to comment shared images without changing the source image.

WebFolder User Guide, Help Glossary, Hotspot Definitions, Software Update Bulletin, FAQ Updates, new Popular Topics section.

When creating a FileShare link, you can now Disable Downloads.  Your guests with this new "View-Only" permission will be able to see the list of documents you are sharing, and open them for viewing in the Online Viewer (DOC, XLS, CSV, WKS, WK3, VSD, PPT, PUB, MPP, PDF, TIF, JPG, GIF, BMP, TIF, PNG), without being able to download these files. 
 
The same View-Only feature applies to Video and Music Streaming- your guests can stream play audio or video files using the integrated player, but the Download option is removed. Streaming Media files supported: WMV, WMA, MP3, ASF. You need to upgrade your plan to have at least 1 SubAccount to use the Media Streaming features.

Recipients of FileShare email links can now view your shared files in the Media List View.  This new view displays a Thumbnail image of each item, along with Comments and file statistics.  Items are displayed in a row-by-row list.  Link recipients can still switch between the List view, MediaFolder view (tiled thumbnails) and File Details view.
 
You can also set which view you want your FileShare recipients to see, when they click on the link.  This is done at the time of setting up the FileShare.

Along with the new FileShare Comment Search, comment searching was enhanced. Now you can include "OR" and "AND" conditions and wildcard characters in the Advanced Search screen. Use this feature to search for Comments saved in the Properties screen for any files or folders.
 
Ex: "Joe Smith 1234" OR "Smith, Joe" AND 123*

Guest recipients of FileShare links can now search for Comments to retrieve specific files to download, play, or view online.  This is a great way for guests to find the file they are looking for, among an entire folder and subfolders containing many files.  This option is visible in the main recipient FileShare screens for the MediaFolder and Media List view types.

When creating FileShare and Dropbox links, you can now set the link expiration period to one full year.  Earlier the maximum was 30 days.  This new file sharing allowance makes it much more convenient to share files to non-members (guest recipients do not need to sign up at all).

Note: Corporate Plans have indefinite FileShare and Dropbox links (no expiration on links). 

New home page released for WebAdvanced users.  Also added: new direct login page for a login-only shortcut.

New Web Account home page with Feature Cube and Graphical Overviews of the most popular FilesAnywhere features. Also added: new direct login page for a login-only shortcut.

Release Date

Scope

Module

Description

FilesAnywhere Application Programming Interface (FAWAPI) provides a simple web service interface to accounts. FAWAPI enables FilesAnywhere storage and file access to be integrated into applications and web sites, using standards-based web services protocol (SOAP). The FAWAPI Documentation is available in downloadable format (Word doc). 
 
 > Download API Technical Documentation
  
A new Developer Page just for programmers will be added in the near future, including a working sample application. The API must first be activated within the User Profile, available for any paid user account.

"Promo Code" that can be embedded in the signup URL that the business partner publishes. The Promo Code improves referral tracking for resellers. A new online Business Partner Commissions Report allows resellers to filter by pending commissions or prior commissions, down to the customer level detail, so they can track their sales activity completely online.

Dropbox senders can choose an option to prompt the guest recipients to enter a name - this name is then used to create a SubFolder under the owner's Dropbox folder.  This allows you to send a Dropbox to a bunch of people and each one enters what is prompted - a company name for some, others will want the full name, others may want an id number.  All files uploaded by each person are dropped into that SubFolder.  Without this feature, until now, you would have had to create separate Dropboxes to keep guest uploads organized.

The new Upload Drop Pad is easier, faster and more reliable than any other upload method tested using a web interface. Access this feature by clicking the 2nd tab in the web interface. Direct drag-and-drop capability from your local File Explorer, as well as multiple file and folder selection. Recursively adds subfolders without duplicating the empty parent path structure.  Optional Popup Dropbox window for easy drag-and-drop from the desktop. This was developed as a Java control, so it is completely cross-platform compatible: Win/Mac/Unix using any current web browser.

Option to encrypt backup and synchronization file transfers using strong 128-bit Secure Shell (SSH2) encryption. No special password or separate software needed: built right into the software as a simple checkbox option.

Logoff your PC and run unattended backups as a Windows Service. This feature is ideal for servers, but all PCs can benefit by running backup and sync jobs independent of the Windows login.

Request an email to be sent with all account information, with optional password inclusion.  Available from the My Profile screen.

Workgroup Administrators, Private Site Administrators, and individual account holders can choose not to send the Password in emails that contain user account details. This option can also be set as the default, to "never send passwords in emails".

Open any MS Office document, PDF and other file formats directly online!  Share files with anyone - email recipients click a link to view your files instantly using the Online Viewer (no account needed, no downloading, and no installations!).  Use the new Index feature, from any MediaFolder or from the Advanced Options, to create images of every page in every document in the entire account, or in particular folders - this prepares documents for fastest viewing in the Online Viewer.  Supports files from Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Visio, Publisher and Project.  File formats: DOC, XLS, CSV, VSD, PPT, PUB, MPP, PDF, TIF, JPG, GIF, BMP, TIF, PNG and others.

Now you can email files directly to your storage account. Once you enable this feature from the Profile screen, you can start sending emails to a simple email address the system assigns to you.  Email attachments can either be directed to specific folders, using keywords that you type in the Subject Line, or incoming files will simply be routed to an Inbound Email folder for later review and sorting. The complete message text is also saved off to a file.

Now access files on the road or anywhere at all with your Windows Mobile phone or Blackberry device. Simply go to the web on your hand-held or wireless to open a WebFolder link for your account. WebDAV provides access to your files/folders for downloading and streaming video/music.

Quick, easy, secure, multi-file transfers. Excellent for uploading and downloading large files and entire folders. Works in all web browsers. FTP-style interface. Choose the type of connection for advanced security: Secure FTP: SFTP, FTPS, SSH-2, SSL 3.1 TLS Encryption. Available for WebAdvanced accounts as a link in the Main View after logging in.

This option in the User Details screen allows the Administrator to completely turn off a user's personal storage account, so that it is no longer visible. Only the GroupShares created for that user will be visible. Earlier, we had Disable Uploads, but the personal storage account was still visible, causing some users confusion. Now, it is very clear to these users that the GroupShares are the only folders they need to use.

This command in the User Details screen allows the Administrator to send the user their login information again, including username, password, URL, and instructions.

Users can now protect the downloads they are sharing using the FileShare link feature, by limiting the number of downloads allowed per file. When the recipient clicks the FileShare link emailed to them and clicks the Download button for a shared file, a countdown is checked and if the maximum number of downloads have been reached the file can no longer be downloaded. This is useful to prevent unwanted forwarded of download links, to better control distribution of shared files.

In the past, the URL to access a FileShare was very long - too long for many email readers. The link was getting broken due to line wraps and the FileShare link would fail for that reason. The new FileShare Link algorithm encrypts the URL in a shorter length, so these links will now work reliable from any email reader. In addition, an option is available to the user to include an htm attachment that takes the reader directly to the shared files.

A new "List View" was added to MediaFolders, allowing users to browse files vertically, with file details shown. The List View includes a thumbnail, the file/folder comments, keywords, and statistics, in a scrollable list. This can be set as the default view for MediaFolder, via a setting in the User Profile. Users can also quickly add comments and keywords to files in this new view.

This handy calculator will forecast the time needed to upload or download files, based on a measured speed test that is also accessible from this screen. To access this feature click on Advanced Tools, Upload Estimator.

Shortcut icons will now appear in the main screen when you login to your account, for direct WebFolder and FTP access to your files. Click either icon and save it to your Desktop for instant access using either WebDAV or FTP in Windows, without having to go through any other steps. This is a very convenient feature that makes it easy to access your account using WebFolders, and supports drag-n-drop, copy/paste, and direct file editing.