by Steve | Mar 19, 2010 | General Information
Browsing the web and its million file-sharing possibilities, or walking past shelves of compact memory-storing devices (the majority costing less than might be spent on a night out, and in some instances even on a single drink), it’s hard to believe that at one time information was confined to what could be recorded only on sheets of paper. And not only confined, but held stationary: both cumbersome to store and unfeasibly expensive to transport. Before floppy-disk, CD, and DVD technology became mainstream, the choices were extremely limited. All things considered, it’s incredible how far technology has progressed in the last twenty years. Indeed, what was once clumsy and impractical has now been re-born, familiar to the smallest of children in the most distant corners of our planet. What’s more, it is digital and therefore instantaneous: a room full of information sent from Mexico can be in France in the time it takes to press a single button.
The Beginning
The invention of the floppy-disk (or FDD: floppy-disk drive) broke new ground in more ways than one: firstly it enabled the user to store what was then considered to be a large amount of information on small, compact disks. Secondly, entire operating systems could be saved and transported with terrific ease. The Japanese inventor responsible, one Yoshiro Nakamatsu (a.k.a. Dr. NakaMats), certainly had the credentials to back such a revolutionary concept up. The man owns in excess of 3,000 patents on a wide variety of things which have become the main-stays of our technologically sound society, and services such as My Docs Online.
A Growing Demand
Although it was clear from the beginning that floppy-disks would eventually become out-dated, it would be some time before commercial viability and rapid technology could find a suitable compromise, making a more powerful (and thus economical) memory-storing device widely available to the masses. But, as the demands of businesses grew at a ferocious rate, floppy-disks’ temperamental nature and persistent vulnerability to the elements (not to mention loss of data when confronted with magnets) forced speedy progress: the result was, eventually, and after a number of false-starts, CD and DVD technology. But, while this awesome new technology offered yet even more impressive memory-storing capabilities, this also soon began to flounder. The explosion of the world-wide-web was beginning to prove itself all powerful in a way that even the best experts in the field had failed to predict, and this meant that something faster, less bulky, and more web-friendly was greatly needed. The new important questions were these: 1) how can we easily send and receive large amounts of data without imposing excessive costs and 2) and how can we go about storing large files without the burden of physically demanding storage such as CDs and DVDs?
The Burning Question
File-cabinets, the staple of every office, appear to be the precursor to the idea of online storage: what would eventually become the proven choice of storing and maintaining enormous amounts of data off-site, without the hassle of shelving and loss of space. File cabinets were, from the start, the heart and soul of the office, making the organization and access of files a simple and affordable affair. And it was this idea that prompted technology companies to sit up and take note, realizing that the key to storing and sending enormous amounts of data was to employ the speed and power of the internet to do an updated job. Sure enough this happened quickly. As basic as online storage was at its initial conception, the idea that a business could keep their entire database of information at a separate location (accessible by any staff member at any time) was a powerful and contagious one. In a very short period of time this infinitely advantageous and practical solution inevitably became the status-quo.
by Steve | Mar 17, 2010 | General Information
The dawn of the information and technology age saw a tidal shift in the way physicians, CPA’s, and a number of other professionals operated their businesses: almost overnight the unimaginable (file sharing / high-speed web-folder storage etc) became an everyday thing as masses of paper was reduced to tiny digital devices. As a direct result once epic logistical problems were bypassed, manipulated, or entirely erased. The effect was enormous: Life became easier and more time was found during the working-day to do the things that mattered more: looking after patients / clients, and looking towards the future.
Up until the moment when online storage secured its place in history as one of the most valuable assets of modern times, the organization and time-management aspects of many companies were in dire straits. Here are a number of reasons that the best online storage, as provided by My Docs Online, should be top priority for you and your business:
Backup
Incredibly, hundreds, if not thousands of businesses across the world still fall in to the trap of not backing-up their records using web-folder storage. In the event of a fire or other incident the effects of not backing-up (to an off-site server) can be disastrous, regardless of the scale in question: while a small business, such as an accounting firm, may loose years worth of important data, natural disasters can easily wipe out the medical records of entire countries in one fell swoop. That’s why every professional needs to take advantage of services like My Docs Online to achieve excellent security: quite simply, it’s instant peace of mind for both the business and the client. Not only that but after a disaster, resurrecting a business’s records takes no time at all, meaning that clients, work-flow, and reputation is completely unaffected.
High-Speed Sharing
Viruses have millions of years of progress on human-beings: something which will always be the case. Equally, money and commerce is expanding at such a rate that entire economies can hinge on the careful distribution and analysis of money. Because of this, a physician or CPA needs access to information fast. And not only fast, but instantly. Anything less can mean the difference between an ideal resolution and, in some cases, an outcome concerning life and death.
The very best online file storage allows professionals to not only share financial records and patient information, but send and receive X-Rays, ultra-sound images, and various other scans which require consultation from doctors all over the world. For a CPA, Attorney, or those working with sensitive data, time is obviously also of the essence. By taking advantage of online file storage service, knowledge can be quickly obtained and collated from an infinite pool of sources, then translated (in to the desired language) using online services and compiled in a matter of minutes.
Faster Diagnosis / Damage Limitation
The Physician’s worst nightmare is, undoubtedly, the mysterious patient who is deteriorating rapidly, seemingly unresponsive to every kind of treatment. The best online storage, as My Docs knows from experience, is that which enables a speedy and accurate diagnosis to be found. In the past a physician had to rely solely upon his gut-instinct, but nowadays he / she may call upon a number of resources. Every single day, complex medical cases which would once have resulted in death are now solved in record time, thanks to online storage and the sharing of information which was once recorded only on hard to transport paper. Similarly, the CPA’s job has been made substantially easier: cases which may have resulted in court action or massive expense (due to a lack of paper-work, confusion regarding figures, or slow collection of data) are regularly put to rights.
by Steve | Mar 12, 2010 | Customer Support, General Information
With so many file-hosting web-sites now available to assist companies in the day to day saving and sending of information, and the majority sharing strikingly similar attributes, it would be understandable for a company to think that there is little to choose between them. As well as offering a quality service for a surprisingly affordable price, these shared attributes are usually as follows: speed, easy-usability, the capacity to store large files which may then be accessed from anywhere in the world at any time, and a customer support service.
Notice how ‘customer support service’ came last? Well, sadly that was no accident. Many file-hosting companies place customer-service low down on their list of priorities. Yes, they can handle every other aspect of your business, but what good is that when it’s the end of the day and something goes wrong?
Why Live Support Is Essential
Customer service is actually the most vital part of a file-hosting business – the link in the chain which you need to be sure is working perfectly before signing up to a long-term contract. It’s the difference between acquiring more clients (and maintaining a strong reputation) and being known as a firm who couldn’t care less. My Docs Online knows this only too well, offering the kind of customer care that is largely all but forgotten.
While some file-hosting services are only available online, making communication slow and sometimes confusing, My Docs prides itself on being a voice at the end of the line. Not everyone understands complex computer jargon, and we recognize that. Which is why we pride ourselves on talking you through any problems that may arise, enabling things to run that much more smoothly
Economically Viable
Many businesses become disenchanted with their customer service, and for good reason. Upon signing up and discovering that the service is not as they expected, they are forced in to an awkward and unexpected situation: to stick with it or spend extra money on external support? Both are costly, counter-productive, and nine out of ten times a headache.
By choosing My Docs Online, you’ll never experience that problem. The result will be money saved and less stress.
Round The Clock, All The Time
We all know this frustration: 4:45p.m. and the business world is, at least on the surface, winding down. But there’s a problem and it’s not small…No…In fact, it’s a problem you’ve never seen before. A problem which does not look likely to go away soon…
My Docs shares the general consumer view: that a file-hosting service, one which is critical to a business’s proper functioning, no less, should be available to help whenever you need us. Not only that, it should be available wherever you are in the world.
Future Problems Eradicated
Good customer service is more than just solving problems in the present. Equally, it’s about making sure that all problems are recorded, so that any future issues can benefit from a sound knowledgebase. A business choosing My Docs has this and all of the aforementioned elements covered. Not only that, but there is also an expansive FAQ database containing answers to many of the less complicated issues that crop up repeatedly.
by Julie Campbell | Mar 9, 2010 | General Information
What Exactly Is Online File Storage?
Online file storage is, quite simply, the holding of information on an external server which is designed especially to cope with large volumes of data. Instead of a business employing one person to send out information numerous times—sometimes to many different countries—a business uploads all their information to one place (like My Docs Online, for example) where it is accessible to all staff, twenty-four hours per day. The advantage of this is clear: time is not wasted on sending emails confirming what has and has not been downloaded / viewed, and every person in the company knows exactly where they stand.
How Things Used To Be
Before online file storage was the powerful, high-speed, globe-encompassing entity that it has evolved in to today, running an online business of any size was fraught with challenge and difficulty at almost every level. Companies the world over relied on postal and courier services to deliver important information, with no choice but to accept a less than impressive time-scale, not to mention the strong likelihood of client dissapointment. With ever tighter deadlines to meet and clients expecting more and more value for money, companies struggled daily with a myriad of inter-connected problems which are now easily sorted in a matter of seconds.
How Things Are Today
Today things are very different—almost to the point that online file saving is now unrecognizable: like a gold-fish turned into a streamlined killer-whale. Instead of taking hours, sharing, accessing, and editing information happens in seconds. In minutes deals are done and dusted, crossing oceans and hurdling consecutive time-zones on a daily-basis. As a result the working day has been made infinitely more productive. In the space of a week a company can achieve what used to only be possible in a matter of months. The best part? Not only can we now do it fast—it’s also very affordable.
The Standard Has Been Set
Quality service and a thorough dedication to efficiency may be the norm today at My Docs Online, but in its infancy, the online file storage industry as a whole was also a costly, slow, and cumbersome affair. With only a few specialist online file storage companies to choose from, companies were stuck with less than a handful of frustratingly costly options. In the age pre-broadband, staff struggled to properly do their jobs and companies fought against the constant headache of sending large files from point A to point B. All that’s relegated to the past now, of course. My Docs Online makes it possible for businesses to implement the ideal online infrastructure, whatever their needs. In only a few simple steps, staff can send and receive information which is far too big to be sent via email (not to mention expensive). And there are several other prominent reasons why a business can benefit hugely from utilizing the best in online file storage:
Security Issues
Security is of paramount concern to every business, and My Docs Online file storage offers a number of obvious and distinct advantages over hard-drives and other data-holding equipment. Theft is one serious problem which online file storage—with its well-engineered safety features—is unaffected by. Fire is another. With information safely held off-premises, crucial data is safely kept out of harms way.
Diversity And Customization
Many levels of service are available, from economical plans to suit small businesses of only a few people to multi-user options capable of meeting the needs of networks containing hundreds. Increasingly powerful technology enables staff to navigate a sea of virtual information, and discuss its merits with colleagues at the touch of a button.
by Steve | Sep 25, 2009 | General Information
You may have noticed the new look of the My Docs Online website as we just installed an updated version.
We have been working on this for some time, implementing the newest web design technologies and better support for modern displays and the newest browsers.
It’s been thoroughly tested in the following browsers and operating systems:
- Internet Explorer versions 6, 7 and 8
- Firefox 3.5 on Windows and Mac
- Safari on Mac
- Google Chrome on Windows
If you see any problems with these or other browsers let us know.
This update is almost exclusively focused on the part of the web site where users are not logged in. Once you log in to the site from the secure login page you’ll see that the look and feel of the product is essentially the same, for now. We are turning our attention to the logged-in portion of the site next, but will proceed with considerable caution, as we understand that changes must be carefully made as many of our users have been using the current interface successfully for many years.
A big shout out to Sarah at Huddy Design for her excellent work on our new logo and site design. Sarah was a joy to work with and we are very pleased with the results.
by Steve | Mar 10, 2009 | General Information
We received the following question from a customer earlier today. The question was something that many people are curious about so we’ve posted both the question and the answer below.
Q – Is there any way to keep a space from changing to “%20” or “#” from changing to “%23” in a file name that’s being uploaded to MDO through web folders or in the Public Folder?
A – The short answer is “No”, and there are other special characters as well.
Using web folders means each file has to have a web URL and web URLs cannot include certain characters because they are used in HTML itself. “#” is one. Also blanks are not allowed. When a file name includes one of these characters they get replaced with an “escape” character which will start with % and a 2-digit code (%23 = # %20 = blank).
This is a web/internet thing, not a My Docs Online thing. All you can do is avoid using them in file names.
Here is a complete list (many of them aren’t allowed in filenames in any case):
| Table of URL Escape Characters |
| Character |
Escape Character |
Character |
Escape Character |
| Space |
%20 |
# |
%23 |
| $ |
%24 |
% |
%25 |
| & |
%26 |
@ |
%40 |
| ‘ |
%60 |
/ |
%2F |
| : |
%3A |
; |
%3B |
| < |
%3C |
= |
%3D |
| > |
%3E |
? |
%3F |
| [ |
%5B |
|
%5C |
| ] |
%5D |
^ |
%5E |
| { |
%7B |
| |
%7C |
| } |
%7D |
~ |
%7E |
