Moving “Big” Data – Even with the prevalence of broadband internet connections, large files take more time to move than smaller files. Various file-size limitations, some imposed by browsers, some by OS and others by your ISP also get in your way. Currently (2017) there are also bandwidth / file size limitations which conspire with your greatest enemy; time.

There are still situations when it is faster to use a shipping carrier to physically deliver large amounts of information. One must take into account the time to upload data plus the time to download. If the speed limitations of your internet connection will result in a total transfer time approaching 24 hours – the shipping carrier option can make sense. There is no major population center that an express carrier cannot reach within 24 hours.

Although there are now many “Cloud” file storage solutions, such as; Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, Apple iCloud Drive, Box (Personal)  and Dropbox, I am still using Rackspace Cloud Files/CDN. One reason is RS does not try to strongly connect your online identity to your storage usage. Unlike Microsoft OneDrive or Google Drive which directly connect your ID to their service. With Rackspace you create a Logon and password. With MS OneDrive your device ID logon is used. Hence, it is connected by default to all other activity’s performed on that device. With Google Drive your Gmail account and Google+ ID are connected.

See also: Sneakernet
Books:

• Taming The Big Data Tidal Wave: Finding Opportunities in Huge Data Streams with Advanced Analytics (Wiley and SAS Business Series)
• A Simple Introduction to DATA SCIENCE