Community-supported ownCloud 3 rolled out in early 2012, and just a few months later, ownCloud 4 is packed with new features, including file versioning to allow users to roll back to previously saved versions, a new developer API, and the ability to view Open Document Format without downloading them.
An experimental feature in ownCloud 4 allows mounting of external file systems, such as Dropbox, FTP, and Google Drive, so users can access sync and share tools in a single ownCloud interface.
Frank Karlitschek, founder of ownCloud, says, "The latest ownCloud offers features businesses and service providers have been asking for, and adds new features and applications that meet the needs of the community and will greatly enhance our upcoming commercial editions."
The ownCloud project idea started at a KDE community event in 2010, and ownCloud already has more than 450,000 users. Because it is built on open source technology, ownCloud claims to be more flexible and secure than other file sync and share solutions. ownCloud users can use the service with their own hardware and storage or with commercial services.
ownCloud 4 features include:
- Drag and drop file uploading
- Shared calendars
- File encryption
- A to-do syncing plug-in
- Improved contacts and groups
- Improved file sharing
- Enhanced photo gallery
- Improved system performance
- Easier installation of third-party plug-ins
- Improved WebDAV, CalDAV, CardDAV compatibility
- System/User Exporting/Importing
- Logging via syslog
Try an ownCloud demo at:demo.owncloud.org/