How to make magazine submissions easy with iDisk

Apple recently released another feature for the iDisk which is part of the mobileme package. With that you can share files easily over your iDisk which offers 20 GB storage or even more if you upgrade.

Many people already have a mobile me account to sync their iPhone, to use the eMail account, iChat, etc. but this is another great feature.

The new sharing option is a great tool for photographers who want to send a submission to a magazine they've never worked with and don't yet have their FTP info, or the magazine doesn't even have a FTP (yes, still happens). You don't want to send your work loose in an eMail and bulk someones account with all the photos attached. Creating a download link with mobileme is a great way to deliver large files to your recipient.

• First make a tight selection only of your best shots you want to submit
• compress the folder with your selection as a zip archive or just upload the folder to your iDisk and create an zip archive using the web-based tool
  
• use the upload option, store the file in any folder on your iDisk
• using the mobile me web interface, click on the file and see the button "Share File..." appear on the right under the items description
• click on it and you'll get a pop up, see screenshot below
• now you can set how many days you want to share the file, means how long people can access the download link, and create a password if you want to
  

• if you don't want to use the built in email function, you can simply copy the download link from the menu and paste it into your email

extra tip: if you're not happy with the browser upload tool, some FTP clients can deal with iDisk as well, Transmit is worth a look.

It took Apple a little while to release the "sharing" feature since they announced the mobile me service. It's a great alternative to web based file delivery services and many people already have an account anyways.