Hands on: iTwin shares files without a cloud in sight

A new USB-based device lets you share files remotely and securely between two computers.

Computerworld - iTwin lets you share files between two computers using a USB-based device. It's not a perfect solution, but some will find it very useful.

What does it do? The iTwin is a solution for those who want to share files between two computers, but who don't want to deal with (or don't trust) cloud syncing application such as Dropbox, especially since that service left its accounts vulnerable for several hours last June.

iTwin

 

iTwin is quite simple to operate: It's made up of two small devices that look like two standard USB keys, with one modification. While each has a standard USB connector at one end, at the other end the two keys connect together -- making it the Tweedledum and Tweedledee of tech devices. When you join them together, you basically get a single unit with a USB connector on either end.

You start by plugging the joined iTwin into the first computer. You are then prompted to install the iTwin software (which is resident on the device and only takes a few seconds). When that's done, the software asks if you want to be sent a unique number via email that can be used to disable either key if you need to (in case one goes missing). At that point, a virtual folder appears on your desktop onto which you can drag and drop any files you want to share. It's a fairly simple process -- anyone who has used applications such as Dropbox or Zumodrive will be familiar with it.

Once you've included all the files you think you'll want access to, you can pull off the half of the device that's not connected directly to your computer -- and plug that into any other online computer. The software installs and the virtual folder pops up, containing whatever folders and files you chose to share. You can, of course, also drag any files or folders from the second computer into the iTwin folder to sync those as well.     More