Opinons wanted...

In your opinions, how much file size is too big to transfer via email?

I'm talking .jpg, .psd, .tiff, .mpg, .mp3, whatever...

I've been asking around, but unfortunately, the people surrounding me all day making demands are about as tech-savvy as an Amish electrician.

thanks

Well it depend on 2 things...

Is the person using a paid account or hotmail (or other free mail)...

Hotmail user are very limited so do not send very large file, avois video. 2mb max (they may never recive-it if it bust thei account size)

The best way is to send the file to an ftp account (if you have a website just put the file on your server) and send them the link... This way they can down load it when the want... I used this trick a few time and it work fine for any size (even on hotmail)!

If they have paid account (really larger inbox) They have much more spacce avaible so you can send larger files... something like 10 mb is starting to be bit big... Also consider their connection if they have only a 56k it will be heavy on their bandwich and they may get upset. Again you can try the ftp and link trick...this more more polite

A genreal advice... avoid sending big image via e-mail... if the file is for a client who wish to see is work, a low resolution jpg could do the trick (less than 250 k)... If you choose to send large file via e-mail make sure to warn the reciver...

Delisk, please use a spell checker dammit, a spell checker!

If it's email, it's best to send in 1~4MB fragments, and FTP would be the full size. Depending on the file (ex. .mpg, .mp3, .avi), it's safer to send as a split compressed file (ex. .rar, .ace) and attach parity files as well so it minimizes the change of the recipient getting a CRC error.

thanks,

maybe I should have been more specific... came off like a total nOOb there...

*IF* you were asked to email a file - to anyone, hotmail or otherwise - how big is too big, in your opinion?

I assure you, I'm very aware of broadband, .sit, .zip, FTP, hotmail and yahoo accounts. Personally, I prefer FTP or good, old-fashioned FedEx with a burned CD or DVD, next-day air style. - - However, my clients are severely technologically challenged in most cases. For example: "can you email this to [email]_____@aol.com[/email]" comes around a couple of times a day. (a sure sign of incompetence: aol).

My experience.... If a large file clogs the mail servers, the company that manages those mail servers get real ****ed....

If it's over about 1.5 megs, try to use the ftp or just use a link to your server. Much easier. I use the link method like Delisk said. Been using that for a long time.

I know 1.5 megs isn't much, but not everyone is on cable or dsl and mail servers are slow....

If it's over 1.4 MB, burn it on a CD and overnite it...

<--- from the man who sends 10+ MB emails

Lately I've been regularly exchanging 15-25MB files with my brother and a couple clients.

We've been using iChat/AIM standalone for file transfer via broadband connection and it works great. Of course, all parties involved are accessing via broadband....

At work, if it's over 3 MB, it is either delivered via CD (If at least 50 MB), otherwise it's put on the web server and the link is given to the party.

<= 3 MB: Email
3 MB to 50 MB: put on web server and link is given to file(s)
> 50 MB: burned to CD and delivered