Data Storage

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Silex uses online "drives" (or cloud services) to store your files. This is a way to let you own your data, and it makes it possible to edit your website from anywhere without installing anything.

So when you want to open a website, save it, or insert an image, Silex will ask you for permission to access one of your accounts.

Developers can add a custom cloud service to host the users files, which make Silex behave like a classic website builder - no login to third party service. Please read this doc for more info.

Github

Among the online "drives", there is a very special one, Github. Initially Github was designed for software developer collaboration on open source projects. But Silex make it easy for non-developers to use it. It has two great features for designers

• collaboration (click here to know more)
• hosting on github pages (click here to know more)
• Version control allows designers to keep track of changes made to websites.
  • It allows designers compare code from different updates in the history.
  • It allows designers to discard changes and go back to a previous version of a project.

Please note that Github is a company and there are conditions to accept when letting them host your data.

Cozycloud

contribution / help wanted explain what it is, how it is good/bad for users privacy, price, etc.

Owncloud

contribution / help wanted explain what it is, how it is good/bad for users privacy, price, etc.

Dropbox

Overview
Dropbox provides free cloud file storage which caps out at 2 gigabytes. Users of the service can store any type of file and access their data from desktop computers, tablets, or smart phones using the dropbox app which is compatable with Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iOS.

Features
Share files by simply sharing a link and collaborate through synchronized shared folders.

Pricing
Besides the free basic service, Dropbox provides yearly subscription plans with expanded services for professionals that are probably far beyond the needs of Silex users. Subscriptions start with the Plus plan at $99, which includes 1 terabyte of storage and collaboration tools for software such as Microsoft Office. Users also get expanded file sharing bandwidth

Positive
Dropbox uses a very intuitive interface, sharing files and collaborating is as simple as modern browser navigation. Dropbox uses industry standard encryption for private file storage and transmission (128 bit - 256 bit AES).

Negative
Dropbox saves user data provided when individuals sign up for the service including: usernames, emails addresses, ip addresses, phone numbers, credit card information and social network details. Dropbox shares acquired information with Amazon based on usage of Amazon S3 cloud technology. Also connecting to Dropbox through services such as Google gives them access to some of the personal info listed above, which will certainly be uses for profit.

See Publish on Dropbox and Host Your Website Online

ftp

Overview
The ftp protocol allows developers working online to manage file transfers between home computers and web hosting accounts, often provided by third party companies. Websites are stored in server space maintained by webhosting companies. Wed developers frequently use ftp clients to connect with web-host servers to manage files.

Silex allows users to transfer webpages developed in the cloud directly to their web-host accounts, bypassing any local storage requirements.
Logging In
To begin the ftp transfer process you need to acquire your ftp account login information which includes the following:

• host - In order to make a connection with your server you will need to get the hostname used to make an ftp connection to your server account. You can acquire this by logging in to your account. host name example- files.000webhost.com.

• username - Use the username given for ftp access to your server account.

• password - For ftp access users generally use the same password they would use to access their server account.

• port - Port 21 is the standard for ftp server access, unless otherwise noted by your webhosting service provider.

Using the ftp option in the Silex is quite simple. To save to your website files:

1. Select the file menu.
2. Select save website.
3. Click on the ftp icon.
4. Fill in the appropriate fields with host, username, password, and port number (most likely 21).
5. Click the login button.

Once you are logged in a list of file folders are displayed in a list. You can click folders to open them. Drag and drop files to put them on the server in the same files are managed in Dropbox.

Price: Free

Positives
Users don't have to rely on third party companies to back data in the cloud. Ftp users only have to rely on ftp client applications to manage file transfers from local computers to servers.

Negatives
Users have to have access to a local computer to transfer files to the server via ftp. If other individuals get a user's webhost login information they will be able to manipulate a users hosting account any way they see fit, until the logins are changed.

WebDav

Overview

contribution / help wanted explain what it is, how it is good/bad for users privacy, price, etc.

remoteStorage

contribution / help wanted explain what it is, how it is good/bad for users privacy, price, etc.