About ownCloud
ownCloud is a suite of client-server software for creating file hosting services and using them. OwnCloud is functionally very similar to the widely used solutions such as Dropbox, Microsoft OneDrive and Box, with the primary functional difference being that ownCloud is free and open-source thereby allowing anyone to install and use it without charge on a private server. Because of this, the storage and client limits are defined by the physical capabilities of the server it's installed on.
Logging In
Once installation has been completed, you'll receive an e-mail with the login credentials. These will consist of the admin panel URL, username and password.
Using the admin panel URL will bring up the login panel in a browser window.
Use admin for the Username and the password contained in the e-mail you received and click the Login button.
Uploading Files
As with similar services, users can upload files simply by using their mouse to drag a file from their local computer desktop to the desired folder.
Alternatively clicking the + next to All Files also provides the ability to upload.
Viewing Files
ownCloud has a built-in media viewer which is useful for previewing photos. This can be accessed by clicking the three dots next to the file you wish to view and clicking Open in Media Viewer
Sharing Files and Folders
To share files or folders you need press Share next to the file you wish to share.
You can choose to share it with other users in your ownCloud system or make the file available to the public by using Sharing > Public Links > Create public link.
There are several different options available at this stage. Shared files can be password protected by choosing Password and you can also can set an expiration date via the Expiration feature.
Additional Resources:
- How to Configure External Storage in ownCloud
- Creating a public upload folder in ownCloud
- Using Federated Cloud Sharing between ownCloud servers
- ownCloud Community Forums
As you can see, ownCloud provides some great capabilities which match those provided by other services however you'll have the satisfaction of knowing that your data is self-hosted and managed in your Reclaim Cloud account. If you have any other questions or need additional assistance, please reach out to support@reclaimhosting.com and we'll be happy to help.