At Macworld Expo, Apple debuted with a system presented by its iWork.com in the shape of an iDisk module that facilitates file sharing and this revised feature appears on the new facelift of MobileMe web applications. The iDisk for MobileMe is a WebDAV-based file share available on me.com website from where the subscribers can access or lift it as a volume on their desktop. The configuration for iDisk support is automatically activated the moment a user sets up his MobileMe account in System Preferences. Another way is for the user to set up the MobileMe on Control Panel existing in Widows, whereas for those that are in Mac OS X he ca sync the iDisk locally in order for his files to be available even when the system is off from the internet connections.
The files uploaded to iDisk are of a private nature to the user of MobileMe and they can be part of two special folders: Web (it means that the documents copied here including sites of iWeb app are hosted by MobileMe web service) and Public (meaning that the files copied here are available via http://public.me.com/user). In the latter folder subscriber has the option to choose what he wants to allow access to, having also the possibility to activate a password for selecting the sharing.
The “Share Files†feature uses the system Apple debuted in iWork.com, allowing users to choose a file from the iDisk web interface and share it. It presents a link that the user can manually email to others, or one can access the email directly in the sharing configuration sheet and introduce a short message. This feature enables the subscriber to set a period of time for the validity of the link and also with a possibility to assign password protection. For those who are selected to be part of the sharing process, the feature will appear to them in a shape of a received email with a link to download. If the files are not shared they will be displayed in a new section of “Shared Files†feature in order to be traceable as currently shared files. The user has the choice to click the “Sharing Options†button to be able to resend the file to new users, to extend the validity period, to change the password, but also to stop the process of sharing.Other changes are presented by an updated version of iDisk icon of a volume with a cloud on it, in order to match better to the iDisck icon existing in the Finder. The user silhouette is transformed in a gear icon to define the Account pane, this new icon resembling the one used by System Preferences or iPhone’s Settings. There are future Apple plans that show an expanding of iDisk feature for iPhone users allowing them to access their iDisk files and to share files with other iPhone users via the Public folder option. The same thing goes for iWork documents or video files that are too big to be sent through emails. iDisk proves to be a system that enables users to have quicker access to files and their sharing.