Apple iCloud: Replacing iDisk, iWeb and Gallery

By Jonny Evans

Apple [AAPL] will introduce iCloud services this fall, and will kill its popular iDisk Gallery and iWeb services in 2012, leaving many searching for an alternative. Apple hasn't clarified if iCloud document sharing will offer iDisk's features, and most don't expect it to. Gallery and iWeb are also being cut -- how will you replace them?

Replacing iDisk

Dropbox is a great service for keeping files in sync across platforms and devices, but recently-disclosed security problems mean it may not be ideal for everyone. If you want an iDisk-like virtual drive folder on your Mac, you might prefer Box.net.

Box.net offers 5GB of storage for free which you can use to store files of up to 25MB in size. You can arrange to store larger files or larger quantities of data, but this incurs fees. The free service also offers file-sharing links and mobile app access.

The company promises 99.9% up-time, SSL encryption, redundant storage, configurable permissions, and more. Features include online access and editing of your files, along with iOS apps.

The also available Business Service costs from $15 per user per month and allows you to store 500GB of data with files of up to 2GB in size. (Also take a look at SugarSync, which offers another interesting selection of online back-up and sharing tools).

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Open your box

Once you have an account set-up you can easily gain WebDAV access to your Box.net account from your Mac:

Step One: Navigate to 'Go > Connect to server' in the Finder menu.

Step Two: In the next box write https://www.box.net/dav.

Step Three: Enter the full email address you used to create your Box.net account as your user name, and you Box.net password.

Step Four: Look there -- you now have a little drive on your Mac called 'dav'. This can be your iDisk replacement and is accessed in the 'shared' menu in your Finder window's left-hand browser bar.

If you want a powerful online back-up solution, then I recommend taking a look at the powerful and secure service from Carbonite. This fee-based service offers unlimited capacity and automatic online backups.

Replacing iWeb

If you need to transfer your existing iWeb sites to another server, then Apple has published instructions to help you achieve this. If you're looking for a quick and easy Website-building solution, then you could try any of the following. You do, of course, also need to get yourself some website hosting and server space (or a Dropbox account and some ingenuity).

Sandvox
More sophisticated than iWeb, Karelia Software's Sandvox costs $77 and works in a familiar WYSIWYG style. There's a selection of site templates, Facebook and Twitter integration, standards-based code support and a selection of website publishing options. Integration with Google Webmaster Tools gives you a fighting chance to deliver a little SEO with you site. There's a free trial download here.

Rapidweaver
RealMac's  $79 solution boasts a simple and easy-to-navigate interface with a selection of website templates and page editing tools. There's a library of widgets and support for third-party add-ons, called 'stacks'. You can get a free trial download here.

Freeway
Softpress publishes Freeway Express ($69). Of these three alternatives this is probably the most well-featured solution, but focuses less on out-of-the-box templates and more on your own design and creativity. WYSIWYG Editing, CSS Menus, image-editing and other tools make this alternative worth a look. Guess what? There's a demo version here.

Replacing Gallery

If you used MobileMe's Gallery service you probably liked it. If you didn't, then you likely already knew that when it comes to sharing images online you're spoilt for choice. Don't be alarmed -- Apple has already said it will offer its new Photo Stream service which partially replaces Gallery, but if that doesn't appeal, there's a plenitude of image sharing services available, ranging from the free to the fee, the simple to complex. Try Flickr for best in class image sharing from multiple devices, try Facebook for the socially-connected approach. If you decide to stick with Photostream that service will allow you to create an album, and share it by e-mail and others may view online.

What are you favorite image-sharing services? And what advice do you have for iWeb users seeking a webhost and space to host their site? Or for Gallery users trying to get their precious images out of MobileMe for republishing elsewhere?  Please let them know in comments below. Otherwise, please follow me on Twitter so I can let you know when new reports get published here first on Computerworld.