A while back, Dan Suceava (head of Axosoft’s software development efforts) and I decided to embark on a mad-man-weekend-project. The crazy idea was for us to see if we could develop a simple web-based service that allowed a user to send large files (as big as 1GB) to another user without the use of FTP. We wanted the service for us! Sending large files via email was not an option since most email programs don’t allow large attachments, and we need an easy way to send 100MB+ files, videos and databases to friends, family and co-workers.
So the idea for TransferBIGFiles.com was born.
The service went live 3 years ago! Since then, more than 1.2 MILLION files have moved through the service and thousands more go through each and every day. An average of a 1/4 million people use the service every month and Axosoft has footed the bill for more than 147 TERABYTES of bandwidth usage. It’s pretty satisfying to see a weekend project generate such incredible demand. I’ve received hundreds of emails from people all over the world who have said everything from “you are a life saver” to “I can’t believe this incredible service is actually free.” People love it.
Today, I happened to run into my own article titled “Just a Weekend Project” where I wrote the story of how we created TransferBigFiles.com in just 20 hours and it brought back some memories. I wanted to revisit some of the images from that short journey:
We did a white-board design session in an hour and a half
I hand-drew the UI on my Tablet PC
We entered our 11 tasks into OnTime (it was V4.0 at the time :-)
This is Dan installing the server
That was me – holy cow I look so much younger!
Since then, TransferBigFiles.com has received a couple of hardware upgrades and a couple of software updates to manage the demand and we’ve kept it free the entire time. We think the good Karma has definitely rubbed off on Axosoft’s success, so we’re pretty happy with the results.
The title of this article is “Axosoft’s Secret Service,” because we really don’t do much to promote Transferbigfiles.com. But, I wanted to let the cat out of the bag for my blog readers, in case any of you are looking for a super easy way to send large files — no registration, no software to download, share files with anyone who has an email address!
Hi Hamid. Out of curiosity, how do you handle/deal with warez/pr0n, and all that bad stuff that people might try to use(abuse) your service for?
Comment by Sameer Alibhai — September 18, 2008 @ 1:40 pm |
Sameer, several ways:
1) files that go through TBF are not discoverable unless users publish their links somewhere else.
2) files can only be downloaded a maximum of 20 times and live for only 5 days, so it’s not a great way to publish some “warez” for others to download
# 1 & 2 pretty much make TBF not a good tool for doing that. However, as a 3rd measure, we also have a “Report abuse” feature that automatically removes files that have been published publicly that shouldn’t have been.
Comment by Hamid Shojaee — September 18, 2008 @ 2:18 pm |
Hey, thanks for your service! I just got a panicked call from a colleague 2000 miles away who lost his flash drive (and backup CD) before his presentation. The Google led me here, and he got a fresh copy of his 90MB file as quick as you please.
I owe someone over there a beer. :D
Comment by Dread Pirate Robert — September 25, 2008 @ 9:24 am |
This is awesome – I absolutely love reading firsthand stories about “the big startup”.. Congrats for the success and THANK YOU!!!!!!
Comment by Kyndal — September 25, 2008 @ 6:21 pm |
its the greatest service i ever came across on net!!!kudos!
Comment by Sudipto — September 26, 2008 @ 12:40 pm |
This service solves so many problems for Sound Post Production – sending mixes as wavs and sound source material as omf files, and even rough working copy video. The internet is now very usefull!
Thanks.
Comment by Andy Ludbrook — October 9, 2008 @ 3:46 am |
You guys look funny :)
Used your service again today for the n’th time. Thanks!
Comment by Radu — October 16, 2008 @ 3:57 pm |
You guys rock!!!!! Where can I send donations? Mail me if you have a PayPal account.
Comment by Stephen — October 20, 2008 @ 6:40 pm |
Your site is really a big help to us (IT students of Technological Institute of the Philippines). Actualy I indorce your site to my schoolmates because it’s so easy and fast in transfering datas. Hope you maintain your good service to your users. I’m very thankful that there’s a ‘transferbigfile.com’ :)
Comment by Gino — October 24, 2008 @ 7:34 am |
Great idea! Huge help for all the (good) people in need of big file transfers! You should get the Nobel Peace prize for your contribution to a better world :)
Comment by Michel Foucault — October 24, 2008 @ 7:09 pm |
Used this service alot, but the ads are bugging me. Anyone tried http://www.247share.net ??
Comment by Jeff — October 26, 2008 @ 1:28 pm |
I tried transfer bigfiles.com and found out o too slow in transfer. Its transfer rate was about 90kb/s. I had a large file about 500 mb and it took one and a half hour and even then the transfer failed. TBF Dropzone could not work at all. I realize that you are in beta version and this might give you a feedback on debugging the program. I was successful on one ocassion when the file was 105 mb. Yousendit ftp transfer which is free up to 100mb, transfers at a rate of about 600 kb/s – just for your info.
Comment by noor — November 8, 2008 @ 9:09 pm |
I installed the TBF DropZone Client. Getting a 900mb file from Australia over to a colleague in Italy. Left it uploading over night and came back in the morning to see the queue froze at 37%… you list a “resume after interruptions” feature but this does not seem to work.
Comment by Poida — November 17, 2008 @ 3:29 pm |
Keep up the great work! A friend sent me a file using this service and it worked great! Thanks!
Comment by User — November 18, 2008 @ 6:36 pm |
Awesome..
Superb.. amazingly easy and fast..
Really neat.
Comment by Ravi — November 20, 2008 @ 11:03 am |
i love you! you’re a lifesaver!
Comment by star — November 21, 2008 @ 1:07 am |
Very nice, but for those who want to send files larger than a gig, there’s 2large2email (http://www.2large2email.com/). You can try them out with their free plan first.
Comment by Jin — November 23, 2008 @ 9:26 pm |
I had 10 good sized video files to send to a client and came across your site in a cnet review. I was amazed at how simple and quick it was to use. As long as I didn’t mess around with other programs while a file was up uploading it worked great. The person on the other end had no problems at all. Thanks for sharing this great service with all of us.
Dan Browning
Dan@RainDancerVideo.com
Comment by Dan Browning — December 10, 2008 @ 8:45 am |
Me parece maravilloso
Comment by Gema González O. — December 12, 2008 @ 7:04 am |
Hi,
I was wondering why the only file transfer is faster than TBF drop zone. the rate is 45KB/s vs 28KB/s(TBF)?
Granted it recovers from a broken connection & will finish transfer. Where is my web browser resest the page it looks like the transfer is stopped. I can Upload up to 50KB/s Max. I’ve tested the line between me & my friend out in California. So, the question is why the difference? The transfer takes twice as long. Is there a back ground setting that needs to be changed? I do appreciate what you have done to provide large file transfer but so far only 1 of the 3 work. Also, do you guys change the way the files are handled? I sent a zip and only 3 of the 4 files worked. Unfortunately, this was the largest one at 87MB.
Thank you for you time,
Sincerely,
John Mondin
Comment by John Mondin — December 27, 2008 @ 3:27 pm |
This is truly the best thing I’ve stumbled on in a very long time. I did a google search saw your link went to it — nothing to download nothing to sign up/into. Just found my file put in my e-mail and there it was sweet.
Comment by Donna — January 6, 2009 @ 8:30 am |
I have been emailing you several times and do not get a response. I have used your website to send large files but suddenly it stopped working. I am no longer able to receive files from your website. I can send them occasionally, but I cannot receive them. I have switched my antivirus scan from Nortons to AVG. This has not helped either. I have called my server and they are not blocking any emails from this site. It says that it goes through but it never gets to me. Can you help. There are other sites out there to use but I like this one the best. Can you help me. dmorgan1@roadrunner.com
Comment by Debbie Morgan — January 6, 2009 @ 9:44 am |
You guys rock!
Comment by Annette Tomlinson — January 8, 2009 @ 8:17 am |
You guys rock! Thanks so much!
Comment by Annette Tomlinson — January 8, 2009 @ 8:18 am |
Hey. I was wondering how you guys afford to pay for this. Where do you get the money from to pay for the websites and transfering files??? Please reply.
Comment by Annonomous — January 9, 2009 @ 7:41 pm |
May God bless you for your gracious act which I’m sure has blessed many by now.
Comment by RK Wright — January 14, 2009 @ 3:04 am |
Fantastic service, a friend send me the link. Well done for creating and keeping it free guys :)
Comment by Baby — January 19, 2009 @ 3:12 pm |
I love this service for sending big files, it’s way much better than crappy “skydrive” provided by microsoft. I think it’s better than “bandongo” or “rapidshare – megaupload”. It’s so simple and effective. Great!
Comment by Percy — January 25, 2009 @ 4:07 pm |
Hi thanks a lot for your incredible service.
Comment by Nazeer — January 31, 2009 @ 12:58 am |
Absolute Genius! more powerful than God!
Comment by Andre — February 6, 2009 @ 12:35 pm |
As a retired old time IT guy (started in 1980 with TRS-80’s in a classroom) I love the spirit in your story. Years ago it wasn’t always all about money – just so much fun, and the challenge, and yes, the karma.
I had been looking for a way to share the video of my model RR with friends and my granddaughter who live far away. Now I have found it. Thank you!!
Comment by Earle Hancock — February 8, 2009 @ 6:20 am |
This is very good work, fellows.
I often need to exchange high res photos with a work colleague and your programme steps right up to the mark.
You are very generous to share it with us.
Thank you.
Tom Brady
Comment by Tom Brady — February 9, 2009 @ 3:19 am |
Please figure out a way to transfer objects and matter through the internet. think of it – you turn someone into data, transfer them thru your site and viola, someone downloads them on the other side of the earth. no more UPS no more AIRLINES. you guys are really onto something!
Derek – vegaswood.com
Comment by Derek Stonebarger — February 11, 2009 @ 11:50 pm |
Yes–that would be a big file transfer I could truly support. If you could do it with baggage you could perhaps also do it with pets and small children–and household goods. Think of the energy savings and savings to businesses as they relocate far-flung employees. Maybe even as a solution to time-consuming commuting! It could be called “Unwieldy Stuff Transfer” (.com). I’d love to see the white board when you guys decide to tackle this side of the business. You could have a division called “matter” and one called “data” and another called “matters more”.
Comment by Amie — June 1, 2009 @ 3:32 am |
Yeah, but the “Resume Interrupt” feature could prove r-e-a-l-l-y messy!
Comment by JasonQ — June 29, 2009 @ 12:56 pm |
Just wanted to say thanks for this. A group of us studying for veterinary pathology boards have been using this to send each other study material – all the digital pictures make the files huge, and this works great for us!
Comment by M — February 17, 2009 @ 8:08 am |
THis is awesome guys…so much better then http://FTP... Thanks for sharing!!
Comment by Cherrylola — February 27, 2009 @ 4:33 am |
Very good
Comment by M.Sri Hari — March 6, 2009 @ 4:17 am |
Just used it to send a Proshow file to 3 friends of a photo trip we took to Utah. Thanks!!!
Comment by Bill B — March 7, 2009 @ 8:12 pm |
I use a lot of video and as anyone knows that means huge files. This site really has solved the problem of getting such large files to the people who need them.
So thanks very much indeed for the time, effort and money that you give towards running this service.
All the best,
Mark Moxom
Comment by Mark Moxom — March 8, 2009 @ 10:48 am |
This is great. I truly appreciate it…
Comment by Craig Campbell — March 10, 2009 @ 10:08 am |
Please, make a progress bar and the site will be PERFECT!
Comment by Jules — March 11, 2009 @ 4:59 pm |
hi,
I want to send some soft copy of photographs to UK..do I pay for it or to whom I send this file .
Comment by subir basak — March 12, 2009 @ 1:26 pm |
just can’t get enough of your site. Many a deadline and job saved. thankyou
Comment by Neil — March 13, 2009 @ 8:12 am |
Love this service. It helped me keep a client as I had to get my large file to a printer in another city ASAP to meet a deadline. Large Tiff files take a long time to transfer, and if I go back a screen, the transfer is lost. Love the progress indicators.
I would like to give more input for glitches and then would be happy to buy the alpha? finished version.
Comment by beverley — March 13, 2009 @ 4:38 pm |
Try verzend.be:
- 1GB size limit
- 100% free
- files and folders
- Fast, No limits, No adds!
http://www.verzend.be
Comment by steven — March 20, 2009 @ 4:02 am |
I have 2 large video files that I needed to send to a friend about 1000 miles away. Transferbigfiles’s service failed to upload every time I tried, and I tried it at least half a dozen times using both my Mac and my PC laptop. So, I tried this verzend.be service. After 5 tries, I was able to successfully upload the first of the 2 files. This is a 90MB file. My friend was also successful downloading it. I then tried to upload the second of 2 files. This one being 156MB in size (my maximum being just over a gigabyte). This time it took me 7 tries before I was able to successfully upload the file, but I did upload it. However, my friend could not download it. The download page did not have a download button. I tried and was able to upload the second of 2 files again, though it took several tries. However, as with the other, the download page did not have a download button. As you can see I’m having all sorts of fun.
Comment by Bart S — June 7, 2009 @ 3:54 am |
Hi. This is very helpful. i hate yahoo mail who cannot transfer big files.. this transferbigfiles is so fast and easy.. thanks for the service! thanks to google also who led me here..
Comment by Lourdes — March 22, 2009 @ 3:49 am |
Excellent service. It sometimes takes a little time to download files which is acceptable given that the service is free. However some sort of progress marker or bar would make the slowish transfer times even more acceptable.
Comment by Steve G — April 2, 2009 @ 4:05 am |
Yes, something that would indicate if it’s working at all would be a start. After that, a progress marker of any kind would be very helpful. I wish I could add to all the positive comments here, but this has not been my experience. I’ve been trying to upload/send a 90 MB file for almost 3 hours now using a standard broadband connection. I have no idea if this is working or not. I walked away from my computer for the first 2 hours just so I wouldn’t screw anything up accidentally. I’ve returned, and I haven’t a clue whether anything has or is happening. I copied myself in on this first try, and so far nothing has shown up in my mailbox. Feeling very frustrated and annoyed. Sorry. Getting this file to point B by the end of the day was pretty important.
Comment by Bart S — May 31, 2009 @ 2:46 pm |
Check out Swap it! Encrypt it! Swap it! Encrypt it! lets me send large files fast and with out buying a membership! Plus I can send files to and from computers or mobile devices. Just select the file size you’d like to send and then pay accordingly. Swap it! Encrypt it! Lite is a free (no membership required) way to send files up to 25 MB in size fast.
Comment by SubZero — April 11, 2009 @ 1:32 am |
hi
Comment by sivareddym — May 8, 2009 @ 2:28 pm |
Amazing! At first it looked too easy and expecting a catch!
I trasferred 156 Mb in 45 minutes that would have taken 12 hours on hotmail.
You made my friend happy in China! Thanks so much you guys.
Comment by Nikki — May 9, 2009 @ 8:56 am |
I photograph On-Location head shots. This is THE BEST WAY to get files transfered to my clients.
I also write an online article on http://www.ShootSmarter.com, a photographic web site with over 50,000 visitors EVERY MONTH
This is going to be in my next smARTICLE….
Thanks and WAY TO GO
Comment by Fred Levine — May 10, 2009 @ 5:27 pm |
Why Dont You Add a Message Box at the Bottom Of the Web page So You Can Add Important
Information To the File? Secure Message File Encryption as Well as Message Enryption
So the Government and Hackers Cant Read or Get Into Your Personal Details.
Comment by Robert — May 13, 2009 @ 8:56 pm |
Hi!
Nice service but……
I try to upload some files through a registered DropZone account and by the TBF DropZone client from
my pc but what i see is that the upload speed dasent go up than 12Kb/s
When i try to upload the same files on other same service site, it get uploading by 102Kb/s max which
is my normal upload speed!
I dont know where is the problem on this!
I have DSL connection with 1MB upload and 24MB download!
So when i see this speed i give up and stop the uploading of my files!
Can someone please help me on this or give me any idea about it?
Thanks in advance!
Comment by ZEROLINER — May 21, 2009 @ 9:55 am |
hello
thank you all
best regards
Comment by hazem — May 28, 2009 @ 4:47 am |
Great work yall. Keep it up
Comment by J.D. Smith — May 28, 2009 @ 1:26 pm |
Works like a charm every time.Thanks a lot!!
Comment by Sashi — May 29, 2009 @ 8:58 pm |
Works like charm is which way?
How you use it and works for you and not for others?
Its a bit strange for me!
Comment by ZEROLINER — June 4, 2009 @ 3:51 am |
I tried 3 separate times today to send a simple, 90 MB video file (.wmv). I gave each try over 2 hours to do its thing. All three times were failures. I don’t know what all these other people did that they were successful, and are happy about it. The program doesn’t indicate that anything’s actually happening; doesn’t give you any kind of progress indicator… I’m totally frustrated and have given up!
Comment by Bart S — May 31, 2009 @ 5:59 pm |
As i have say also on a before message i have try to send some files to a friend through a registered
DropZone account and by the TBF DropZone client (which you give on your site as a beter way to send
files and that it keep longer the time which the files stay online) but what i get it was that to
upload (the highest) not more than 8kb/s by a connection of 1MB DSL upload speed!!! I have as i have
say also before DSL connection of 24MB-D/1MB-U and my normal upload mesured also by other sites of a
same type of services on 95-102kb/s.
How it can be possible that your service upload by so low speed? Where is the problem on this cituation?
Do i make (or do we make because i see im not the only one who have this problem) some mistake?
Something wrong on installation or in use? Some wrong configuration maeby?
As i see no one give any answer on our questions :-( No one care about this service!
My first commend was at May 21, 2009 but since then no answer from anyone about it!!!
Why? Do you realy care about this service or not?
Comment by ZEROLINER — June 4, 2009 @ 3:49 am |
YouSendIt Copy Cats!
Comment by slayer — June 7, 2009 @ 12:04 am |
Copy cats, how so? Any more so than myriad other large file services? Your accusation doesn’t make sense. YouSendIt does allow free sending of files, but the maximum size is 100MB, and there are several other limitations. However, for $3/month one can send a file on YouSendIt as large as a gigabyte. However, I didn’t want to take the chance after having so much trouble with Transferbigfiles’ and verzend.be’s services. Copy cats these services are not, however.
Comment by Bart S — June 7, 2009 @ 4:03 am |
I have the impression that despite not making sense, this service is not Mac friendly. I’ve tried to use it many times to send a file, including right now, and I’m not able to get anywhere. I tried using this service on my work PC laptop, and DID get a progress marker but in the end, the file did not upload. I wish I knew what these others who’ve posted having success are doing that I’m not.
Comment by Bart S — June 7, 2009 @ 2:56 am |
Because i have post without to take any answer on my post and not any idea at all
for solving my (our) problem, i have check around the internet and i have find this
http://www.filemail.com site where works smothly and fast and give you the right to upload
for free, files of 2GB at a time.
You can check its payed services also where they work also fast!
Greetings!
Comment by ZEROLINER — June 18, 2009 @ 3:11 pm |
An option is File Apartment (http://www.fileapartment.com):
- Up to 1 GB
- Easy to use
- Free, Safe and secure
- No software to download or registration required
- Fast
Comment by Manish M. Shah — June 25, 2009 @ 5:35 am |
[...] is an interesting story on how TransferBigFiles was designed. Here is a Whiteboard design of [...]
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