Sprend never quits

At Sprend, we don't just move files; we're building connections. Since 2004, we've been the team behind sprend.com, a leading file-transfer service committed to making digital exchanges effortless and reliable. We're proud to serve a diverse range of B2B customers, including the fast-paced construction industry, dynamic media businesses, meticulous public agencies, and municipalities. Our success is built on two pillars: unmatched simplicity of usage and customer service that genuinely cares, ensuring you always connect with a human, often without any wait (unless you call in the middle of the night). Additionally, our superior upload stability ensures that your crucial data reaches its destination.

We're not resting on our laurels, though. The digital landscape is evolving, and so are we. We're excited to share our ambitious plans for the future, focusing on three key areas that will enhance the file transfer experience.

Unrivalled Deliverability

In a world where every second counts, the reliable delivery of your file packages is paramount. We understand the frustration of failed transfers and delayed projects. That's why our top priority is to achieve unrivalled deliverability. We continually optimize our sophisticated algorithms and leverage robust systems to ensure that your files reach their destination flawlessly, regardless of size or network conditions. This commitment means more certainty for your workflows and less time spent troubleshooting.

GDPR Compliance

In today's data-conscious world, privacy and compliance are non-negotiable. We recognize the critical importance of protecting sensitive information, especially for our European clients. That's why we're making a significant move towards GDPR compliance with a unique European infrastructure. While many of our competitors (or all of them?) rely on American servers, we're committed to providing a solution where your data remains within the strict confines of European data protection laws. This strategic decision will provide an unparalleled level of security and peace of mind, particularly for organizations that handle sensitive personal and corporate data.

The Plain Joy of Usage

Let's face it, transferring files can often feel like a chore, akin to "watching paint dry." We believe it doesn't have to be that way. Our vision for the future includes transforming the user experience from a mundane task into a genuinely pleasurable one. We're exploring innovative ways to infuse the plain joy of usage into every interaction. Imagine a file transfer service that engages you, tells a story, and makes the process not only efficient but also enjoyable. We're pioneering new approaches to include storytelling into the user interface, and constantly working to remove friction and irritation, ensuring Sprend always works in harmony with society.

Building the Future, Together

These are exciting times at Sprend. We're not just building a product; we're shaping the future of file transfer and building a team that will lead the way.

• For Developers: We're a Product-Led Growth (PLG) company, which means much of our marketing and growth is driven by the software itself. We deeply value our free users; they're truly our marketing army, spreading the word through their positive experiences. We're building a world-class, distributed developer team focused on Europe, individuals passionate about innovation, user experience, and robust engineering. If you're looking to make a direct impact on product development and customer experience, we invite you to explore joining our team. You can find more about our collaborative team culture, exciting tech stack, and straightforward recruitment process in our dedicated articles.

• For Our Valued Customers: Your trust is our greatest asset. These plans are designed with your evolving needs in mind. We aim to provide you with an even more reliable, secure, and enjoyable file transfer service, reinforcing our position as a serious and forward-thinking partner. Sprend has been here since 2004, and we intend to keep serving your file transfer needs into the next century.

The future of file transfer is here, and it's brought to you by Sprend. We're excited about what's to come and look forward to building this future with you.

Join the Flying Coffee Machine Team

Hi everyone, I'm Arne from Sprend. Let's discuss how we recruit new talent for our software development team.

The engineer

From an engineer's perspective, whether freelancing, working with an outstaffing company, or seeking a permanent position, the ideal scenario involves having control over the process. Ideally, engineers would discover us themselves through a (specialized) search engine, and then thoroughly research our future plans, our technology, and our way of working. Still interested? Tell your agent or call me directly, Arne: +46707145299. When I say agent, I also include your boss or salesperson – they are working for you.

For Sprend

For me, the ideal search engine for finding engineers would be similar, but filtered by skills, experience, and location, with a crucial emphasis on matching attitudes such as a drive for excellence, a commitment to continuous improvement, and a strong sense of responsibility. It helps a lot if the developer has written about software development and their professional goals.

The agent

Agents play a key role as bridge builders, connecting the engineer with the project. However, a conflict can arise between quality and quantity. We believe that relying solely on CVs emphasizes quantity over quality, and the agent should have a genuine understanding of the developer and be able to effectively advocate for them without merely sending over a CV. The goal is for the agent to make us want to meet the developer so much that we're begging for a meeting! When that happens, the agent contacts the developer and “sells” the Sprend project to them.

The role of the company where the developer is employed is vital, as it provides a productive working environment. Well of course, it is provided along with Sprend.

Let’s try working together

Finally, once there's a potential match, we like to have a "Let's work together" task for the engineer. This involves a programming challenge based on real Sprend issues. However, the true goal is to assess how well we communicate, collaborate, and solve problems together – do we genuinely enjoy working together? This is more important than just raw technical skills. It's all about seeing if there's a good team fit. At Sprend, we're seeking developers who share our values and can truly thrive within our team.

And then the magic happens

What would the Sprend workshop be like in the times of Leonardo Da Vinci, and what problems would we be solving? Would we be inventing a flying coffee machine that could deliver a fresh brew to crane operators, gladiators, and vaporetti pilots?

The Sprend workshop in the year 1492

Also, don’t forget to check out our future plans, our technology, and our way of working in the dev team.

Sprend.com Tech Stack Overview

Welcome to the Sprend.com development team! This document outlines our current technology stack and future aspirations to help you get up to speed quickly.

Backend

Sprend.com is built as a monolithic Java-based web application. We prioritize simplicity and maintainability, opting for a unified codebase over a distributed microservices architecture.

• Language: Primarily Java, with new development and ongoing refactoring transitioning to Kotlin. This move is driven by Kotlin's modern features and enhanced developer experience.

• Framework: We leverage Spring for our backend development, providing a robust and comprehensive framework for building enterprise-grade applications.

• Server: The application runs on Tomcat instances, with an Apache server handling traffic forwarding. This setup allows for deployments of WAR files with minimal downtime, ensuring continuous service even during updates.

• Database: Our primary data store is MariaDB, which runs on the same physical server. We maintain a thin data access layer in our code, aiming to keep it close to standard SQL for clarity and direct control over data access. We're open to incorporating NoSQL patterns where they demonstrably reduce development costs and complexity.

Frontend

Our frontend is designed for directness and performance.

• Language: The entire frontend is written in vanilla JavaScript. We appreciate its simplicity and direct control over the browser environment.

• UI Framework: We currently do not use any dedicated UI frameworks, such as React or Angular. This keeps our dependency footprint small, allowing for fine-grained control over the user interface.

Relax, enjoy the views and have some ice cream. Your files are safe with Sprend.

Infrastructure & Operations

Understanding our infrastructure will help you navigate the development environment.

• Operating System: Our web application runs on a Debian Linux server.

• Server Location: The physical server is located in Stockholm, Sweden.

• Deployment: We deploy WAR files directly to our Tomcat instances. Our current setup allows for seamless deployments without interrupting ongoing file transfers.

• Hardware: Production runs directly on physical hardware with no virtualization or containerization (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes).

• Load Balancing/Failover: Currently, we do not utilize any dedicated load balancer or failover mechanisms.

Development Workflow & Tools

We believe in efficient and enjoyable development.

• Version Control: We use Git for all our source code management.

• IDE: Our preferred Integrated Development Environment is IntelliJ IDEA, offering excellent support for Java and Kotlin development. We rely on IntelliJ's built-in quality tools for code analysis rather than external platforms, such as SonarQube.

• Build Tool: We use Gradle for managing our project builds and dependencies.

• CI/CD: TeamCity is our Continuous Integration server. Upon pushing code to the repository, TeamCity automatically triggers builds and runs all tests, including our end-to-end tests.

• Testing: We have a strong focus on testing to ensure code quality and confidence in our changes.

  • UI & API Testing: We use Cypress for both user interface (UI) and API testing, providing robust end-to-end coverage. Green tests give us the confidence to make changes and refactor the codebase.

• Team Communication: We use Trello for task management and Slack for real-time team communication.

Our Philosophy

We are committed to a minimalistic approach to our tech stack. We only introduce new tools or technologies when they solve a concrete problem we are facing. Our goal is to ensure that enhancing the codebase is always a pleasant and straightforward experience.

Plans for the Future

We are always looking to improve and scale Sprend.com, while staying true to our minimalistic philosophy. Here are some potential directions for our technology stack:

• Frontend UI Framework: We are considering adopting a frontend UI framework, such as React, to enhance the developer experience and streamline UI development.

• Scalability: We aim to scale across multiple physical servers to enhance performance and reliability as our user base expands.

• Native Applications: We plan to expand our reach by developing native iOS and Android mobile applications, as well as potentially native macOS and Windows desktop applications.

Also, take a look at the Sprend way of teamwork and Joining the team.

Beyond the Code: Thriving as a Developer at Sprend

At Sprend, we're not just building a file transfer service; we're crafting an experience. Our vision is to be the most loved file transfer service, always working in harmony with society. For us, this begins with a deep commitment to excellence, driven by our approach to developer teamwork and growth. We’re not unique in that approach, but that is also not the goal.

Disclaimer: Yes, I have AI-enhanced this text. If it seems too polished, I apologize. It does however get the message across.

You're Not Just Working for Sprend – We're Working for You

We believe in a fundamental shift in perspective: Sprend isn't just a company you work for. Instead, we see Sprend as a platform designed to empower you. We provide the environment and resources to help you leverage your skills and creativity, enabling you to build truly great things. Your time and ambition are priceless to us, and we're committed to working together to create a product that's more than the sum of its parts.

The Art of Balance: Speed, Quality, and Lasting Impact

In the fast-paced world of product development, the tension between speed and quality is a constant presence. While our owners naturally want us to deliver value quickly, our development team is focused on ensuring that short-term gains don't compromise our long-term goals. We don't strive for quick, sloppy solutions. Our philosophy is to deliver partial, useful features with solid, excellent code. This approach allows us to get early feedback from customers, ensuring we're always building what truly matters. It’s not only possible but essential to align the goals of individual developers with those of our customers and owners.

Innovation with Purpose: New Technologies and Architectural Excellence

We're not chasing shiny new trends just for the sake of it. Every new piece of technology comes with a cost, and our focus is on solving real problems. When a new technology offers a clear solution, the decision to adopt it becomes easier. We introduce new technologies step by step, ensuring seamless integration and stability within our system. Our architectural standards are so high that any part of our system could be the subject of a technical talk at a developer conference. We also believe in empowering you with the tools of your choice; whether you prefer Linux, Windows, or Mac, we care about enabling you to work effectively.

Sparks are flying when we are working together at Sprend

Crafting Code, Together: A Culture of Continuous Improvement

Excellent developer experience (DX) is paramount. We continually refine our development environment and processes to make setup, coding, testing, and building as effortless as possible. We encourage a "love refactoring" mindset, embracing it during development rather than as an afterthought. For us, code readability is even more crucial than working software, because readable code is fixable code. We champion the "Boy Scout Rule"—always leave the campground cleaner than you found it. Collaboration is key: we encourage explaining solutions to teammates, inviting others to refactor your code, and writing tests for new code. We're also curious about the growing potential of AI tools to enhance our workflow.

One of our core practices is task mates, where two developers tackle each task. Note that I am not referring to pair programming, where two developers sit at the same workstation.

The task mates approach offers significant advantages:

• It enhances quality in UX, code readability, and test coverage.

• It helps us catch more bugs.

• It fosters continuous learning among team members.

• It builds resilience, as at least two individuals understand each module.

• It helps harmonize our coding style.

We actively encourage developers to step into different areas of the system, whether it's switching between frontend and backend tasks or having taskmates write tests. Our communication is open and frequent, both before, during, and after a task is completed. We ensure that every part of our system is well understood by at least two developers, fostering shared knowledge and resilience.

A Space and Time for Focus and Collaboration?

Sadly, not all great engineers reside in Pula, Croatia. I would have preferred it. Nothing beats a physical office supporting both dedicated focus time and effective communication. The reality is that our team is distributed, but we try to inhabit the same point in the space-time continuum as often as makes sense.

Working remotely places high demands on an individual’s communication skills.

Responsibility and Independence: Owning the Feature

At Sprend, a new feature isn't complete until the user gives it a thumbs-up. Even if a developer contributes to only a small part of a feature, their work isn't done until that feature is in the user's hands. We empower every developer to design solutions based on user needs and to encourage their teammates. We also limit work-in-progress (WIP) to prevent tasks from getting stuck and to reduce dependencies. The feedback from released features directly informs our next steps.

The Core Principle: We Care

Ultimately, everything we do is rooted in a simple but powerful principle: we care. We care about ourselves, our colleagues, our users, the community, and deeply, profoundly, about our code. To write code is to create life. To me anyway. 😄

If you're a skilled and ambitious developer looking to make a significant impact in a collaborative and excellence-driven environment, we invite you to explore opportunities with us. We're building something great, and we'd love for you to be a part of it.

You may also want to take a look at the Tech Stack and Joining the team.

The bike thief?

Italy has always been an art canvas, a music stage, and a home to limitless creativity, from Leonardo da Vinci's visionary future to Michelangelo's chiseling of perfection in stone, from Florence's Uffizi Gallery to the Vatican Museums, shrines of timeless masterpieces framed by history and light. Italy invented how the world encounters beauty and culture. And today, we're honored to leave our brushstroke in that legacy  - because Sprend now speaks Italian!

For companies, artists, and professionals who operate internationally, language need never be a barrier. Now that Sprend is available in Italian, architects can share blueprints with customers smoothly, moviemakers can exchange footage with no additional steps, and designers can exchange high-quality files with Italian partners easily. Whether you are an entrepreneur interacting with a new market, a researcher sharing data with an Italian institution, or simply collaborating with Italian colleagues and friends, communication is now more transparent and efficient.

Grazie mille to Alice, whose keen eye and linguistic talent made this possible. She didn't translate Sprend - she wrote it and polished it with the clarity Italian demands. Sprend not only speaks Italian but thanks to her, it works in Italian. Why is this significant? Because language is more than words - it's connection. That is, in a reality where technology caters to the user, everything is much easier, much more intuitive, and much more convenient. In a globalized realm where businesses connect across oceans and experts use continuous communication, Sprend in Italian is not a luxury; it is a necessary, stronger tool for higher collaboration. And that is just the start.

We want Sprend to be as easy as possible, with the best language bridge between people who share and receive files. Italian is our newest language, but it won't be the last. For those of you in Milan, Rome, or anywhere around the world collaborating with Italian stakeholders, give Sprend in Italian a try. Spread the news, use it for your projects, and feel the difference. Cheers to easy digital sharing, one language at a time!

In the end, what better way to experience this all-important heritage than by diving headlong into Italian cinema and music? For a shivering dose of neorealism at its finest, reach for Ladri di Biciclette (Bicycle Thief): a heartbreaking epic of the grief and triumphs of post-war Italy. If you're feeling in the mood for something more lighthearted, crank up L'Italiano by Toto Cutugno, an evergreen hymn that precisely captures the Italian credo. Through film or song, let Italy's artistry take you to its sun-drenched streets and timeless piazzas.

Tihana Gardijan

Ladri di Biciclette

A Sprend User’s Story Born from an Unexpected Twist

Pula and Gothenburg, Bonded Across the Sea

Some cities have history that hangs over them like a scar. Some, such as Pula and Gothenburg, wear it like an old tattoo — inky, indelible, unchosen — consolidated into the tissue of their being, determining future not on their own terms. A Sprend customer recently saw Uljanik Crane at the Sprend website, and confused them with the ones in Gothenburg. It was an eye-opening moment that reminded us that beneath it, there runs something larger than itself — a bond that runs deeper than iron and shipbuilding contracts.

Legacy of Uljanik: A Shipyard That Built More Than Ships

Pula wasn’t always a shipbuilding city. Before Uljanik arrived in 1856 it was a sleepy coastal village and its biggest news might have been a particularly good catch at the fish market. Then the Austro-Hungarian Empire wanted to transform it into a mighty naval power, and Pula started to change. For over a century, Uljanik was not only shipbuilding — it was the creation of careers, communities and a lifestyle. It put Pula on the world map. The shipyard plowed through wars, political turmoil and economic storms, but no amount of welding and rivet-driving could stave off the inevitable. The shipyard closed its gates for good in 2019. Pula was left standing in the shadows of cranes that no longer moved, an artifact of a vanishing industry that had defined generations.

Divić Crane, Pula

Instead of knocking them down, the city lit them up — turning the urban giants of industry into a night-time spectacle, as if to say: We’re still here. We remember.

But there’s more to Pula than shipyards and nostalgia. It also happens to be home to one of the most beautiful Roman amphitheaters in the world — an architectural heavyweight that has somehow weathered emperors, dictators and enthusiastic rock concerts. Now, it hosts everything from film festivals to metal bands; if history has to linger, it may as well have a good soundtrack.

Ship–Shape Saga: The Rise, Fall and Espresso Revolution of This Swedish City

Just across the Baltic Sea, Gothenburg followed a similar blueprint. In the early 20th century, its shipyards — Götaverken, Eriksberg and others — cranked out ships that plied every ocean on the planet. The docks vibrated with life, whole families earned their living inside the shipyard walls, and if you asked anyone in those days what Gothenburg did best, the answer would have been plain: We build ships. But as the decades wore on, the industry that had molded Gothenburg began to unravel.

The 1980s came and, instead of workers finding jobs at the docks, there were questions: What now? Some shipyards lasted longer than others, but the answer was no longer in steel and shipbuilding. So Gothenburg started to reinvent itself. The old shipyards are converted into trendy waterfront apartments, cultural hot spots and coffee shops where people take about the nuances of oat milk.

Eriksberg Crane, Gothenburg

The Eriksberg crane remains, standing over a town no longer in need of it, but not ready for the town to relinquish it, either. In any case, Gothenburg also happens to be home to Liseberg, Scandinavia’s largest amusement park — and if you’re going to take an industry built on raw power and engineering and replace it with something else, you might as well replace it with roller coasters.

Cities That Won’t Be Defined by the Past

Pula and Gothenburg may have begun as shipbuilding cities, but their futures are unwritten. Gothenburg has already been rewriting its story, transforming its wharves into playgrounds for the modern age. Pula is waiting to see what comes next. The cranes of Uljanik are both a monument to history and a silent test of the future. Reinvention is not easy, and nostalgia doesn’t pay the bills — but both cities recognize that there’s no such thing as standing still.

A Shared Vision

That instant when someone confused Uljanik’s cranes for Gothenburg’s was not merely an amusing mistake; it was a preview of how industrial legacies extend across borders. The shipyards may be silent, but they continue to shape the cities that developed around them. They hang on in the architecture, the culture, and in the memories of people who once built and welded and dreamed below them.

Connecting Stories with Sprend

At Sprend, we’re not supposed to make an indication of cranes illuminating or an amusement park. Sprend is here to make sure you get the files where they need to go, when you are sending files all around the world, we are sharing ideas and preserving stories. No time for nostalgia, just a service that works and keeps stepping forward — like Pula, like Gothenburg. Perhaps one day replaced by its own version of cranes.

No Excuses, No Secrets, No Shortcuts

In file sharing, trust needs to be earned rather than being assumed. Numerous businesses handle your data daily. While some ethically do so, others (silently) monitor your activity, monetize your conduct, or trap you in confusing subscription structures. At Sprend, we do more than just move files; we conduct ourselves honorably throughout the entire process. This means no questionable data practices, no hidden costs, and no vague statements like "We take your privacy seriously" that don't really mean anything. Here's how we uphold the principles of accountability, transparency, and ethics - and why this matters to you. 

Transparency: No fine print, no black boxes

On terms and conditions that seemed like a legal document, have you ever clicked "I agree"? Have you ever signed up for a "free" service only to find out that the true cost was your privacy, data, or constant upsells? We detest that, and we have a suspicion you do too. 

How Sprend Successfully Adopts Transparency: No Covert Monitoring

Although many sites claim not to sell your data, they nevertheless keep tabs on everything you do. We don't do that kind of thing. No Complicated Pricing, no tricks with fine print.

Limitations are not buried deep beneath legalese; rather, we express what we truly mean. It costs money to run a safe, ad-free site, therefore we chose a simple, uncomplicated strategy rather than overcrowding Sprend with trackers and third-party ads. We had the option of hiding it behind deceptive "limited-time offers" or pushy sales techniques, but we just decided to be honest.

Do more than just send files - act with integrity, respect privacy, and support a digital world built on trust. At Sprend, ethical responsibility isn’t an extra step; it’s the foundation of everything we do.

Photo by Maria Teneva

Accountability is essential:  We take ownership of our mistakes

Nobody is flawless; servers may crash, systems may malfunction, and updates may not always go as planned. The way mistakes are handled, rather than whether they happen, is what separates a respectable business from a subpar one. When troubles occur, far too many tech companies give evasive justifications like "We're experiencing some issues.", "Delays have been caused by an unforeseen event.", "We regret any inconvenience this has caused."  

We communicate directly with our users, are always available, and take responsibility for errors. If anyone has found Sprend confusing, it is our fault. Software should be designed with intuitive UI/UX; if it fails to do so, we will fix it. There's no secrecy, no spin. This is how trust is grown, not just when things are going your way, but when choices and events have problematic implications. Certain ethical notions should be touched on: just because it is legal, it does not mean it is the right thing to do. Big tech mostly tries to do the least concerning privacy.

Most corporations would never even shield your data if a law akin to GDPR does not compel them. This, at Sprend, we believe should be more than with a legal yardstick. It is not just a case of hoarding information. Just because we can do it does not mean that we should.

Doing business the right way is the crux. Integrity should not only pertain to our processes but should extend to those surrounding us. Concerning whom we work with and what we accept: compliance should not be cut short (GDPR) and the company continuously reinvests into the service versus growth at any cost.

Trust is built, not bought

The internet is filled with companies stating that they care about your privacy. However, ask oneself: how many truly uphold this promise? At Sprend, we do not desire blind trust; instead, we promote it through honesty grounded in transparency each and every day in our decision-making. There are no mysteries, no excuses, and no shortcuts - just Sprend. 

New Improvement! Sprend Reminder: Getting Clearer Out of Chaos

Everyone has experienced receiving a file, promising to download it later, and then forgetting all about it. All of a sudden, the deadline is approaching, and you're rushing to locate it. As a brief reminder, the file you are waiting to download is not permanent. Sprend ensures that crucial papers don't get lost in the shuffle by protecting your files until a specific expiration date. Every Sprend Free § Pro user who hasn’t downloaded their received file will get a reminder email after three days. This email includes the file’s download deadline and key details about the sender, together with files to download of course.

It's more crucial than ever to maintain organization in a world where digital clutter slows us down. Complicated sharing procedures, disorganized data, and overflowing inboxes make work more annoying than it needs to be. We are here to streamline your process and assist you in concentrating on the important things. Making it simple to distribute enormous files, eliminating the need to trawl through cluttered folders or manage endless email attachments. No needless duplications, no misunderstandings - just safe, effective file transfers that maintain the efficiency of your process.

Forgetting to download a file is like putting leftovers in the fridge and being shocked when they turn into a science experiment a week later. Don't let your important files expire - grab them while they're fresh!

Photo by Getty Images

Get your file now before it disappears! With Sprend, you can adopt a more efficient, stress-free method of working together and get rid of distractions.

Cheers to Sprending!

Small Features Initiative: Minor Enhancements, Significant Impact

At Sprend, we recognize that seemingly insignificant details can lead to substantial changes. This is why we are excited to unveil our new initiative for 2025: consistent updates that introduce small, yet impactful features, specifically crafted to improve your experience, address minor inconveniences and enhance Sprend for your benefit. 

Think of it as a journey to rediscover the often-overlooked treasures of development - those minute enhancements that typically fade into the background while larger projects take center stage. These are the features that, akin to delicate bubbles in a vigorously shaken container of stones, tend to settle at the bottom. However, we are turning the jar upside down, allowing those bubbles to rise to the surface, where they rightfully belong. Although these adjustments may be minor, their impact is anything but. They are meticulously designed to enrich your experience through enhanced usability and convenience; moreover, they reflect our dedication to ongoing improvement and celebrate the excitement of development. As our development lead, Arne, articulates, “I’m doing it also for my joy and pleasure. There’s a selfish part to this, but it’s more about delivering value.”

Think of it as a journey to rediscover the often-overlooked treasures of development.

Photo by Sebastiao Salgado

We have selected a regular cadence for these updates (which is intended) to guarantee consistent progress without overwhelming ourselves or you. This rhythm allows us the necessary time to refine each feature, while also providing a steady stream of improvements for our users. As Arne often remarks: “You could feel anxious if you’re not doing good things every day; however, smaller features regularly are a manageable and rewarding pace.” It’s also effective because it ensures quality.

Among the initial features we are introducing is a reminder email system designed for recipients. Have you ever sent a file and found yourself pondering whether the recipient actually downloaded it? 

Now, Sprend will automatically send reminders to recipients after three days if they have not yet downloaded the file. This functionality is particularly beneficial for our Free users, who have a total of seven days to download files. With this reminder system, recipients retain four days to respond, which promotes smoother communication and reduces the likelihood of missed downloads. 

Furthermore, another enhancement involves automatic notifications regarding price changes: planning ahead has become significantly simpler. As soon as we anticipate a price adjustment, our notification emails will inform you of the current prices along with the forthcoming changes. 

However, there's an added advantage: you will have the option to Lock Your Price - secure the current price by paying in advance for multiple years. In the past, some customers have been able to lock in five years of Sprend at today's rates (a prudent strategy to protect against future price increases). Although these features are designed to enhance user experience, they also reflect our commitment to continuous improvement.

This rhythm allows us the necessary time to refine each feature, while also providing a steady stream of improvements for our users.

Photo by Sebastiao Salgado

We are currently engaged in the brainstorming process for forthcoming features and one concept that particularly excites us is a feature Sprend to Go. We were inspired by the Public Library. Why?  This functionality will enable users to upload files directly to the Sprend website, thereby eliminating the necessity of logging into your email. Upon completion of the upload, you will receive a single-use Code in Sprend inbox, which allows for secure file sharing. The most advantageous aspect? The code is designed to be utilized only once, thereby safeguarding your content's privacy and rendering it inaccessible after the initial download. So we are calling this feature Sprend to Go!

We are eager to unveil these advancements to you and await your feedback. Have an idea for a prospective feature? Please do not hesitate to inform us! Together, we can strive to make Sprend as exceptional as possible. Therefore, stay tuned for additional updates.

2025 Goals: Empowering our Customers and Elevating our Service

Life is indeed an unpredictable journey. It does not have any guarantees, no passwords for protection, and absolutely no book to follow its complex nature. It’s full of different kinds of moments - some we want to hold onto forever and others we would willingly trade for days in the woods. But the disorderliness of life gives us the opportunity to progress.

As we make our way through this highly unpredictable terrain, we always have with us a range of ideas and plans. Amidst the splendid chaos of existence, life remains undeniably rewarding (even if it involves stumbling over our own feet). It emphasizes the importance of persistence, the necessity of starting anew, and the pursuit of joy within disorder. 

File Not Found: “Peace of Mind”

Photo by Luis Villasmil (Unsplash)

However, while we cannot guarantee a resolution to life's peculiarities, Sprend is committed to accomplishing at least one task with ease: assisting you in managing the digital clutter that life generates. Consider us the dependable friend who always arrives with duct tape and snacks, prepared to mend what is broken and enhance the journey while making it a little more enjoyable. 

In a world where life frequently feels both congested and overwhelming, simplicity is an infrequent yet invaluable resource. Much like how Sprend simplifies file sharing, life, too, can gain from discovering methods to streamline and simplify the multitude of tasks and challenges we confront daily. But as we already mentioned, unlike Sprend, life does not provide encryption for our personal moments - our vulnerabilities, or our decisions. Sprend recognizes the significance of facilitating ease, offering features such as password protection and unlimited file transfers to conserve your time and effort. This similarity extends to life, where we frequently find ourselves yearning for tools that might assist us in managing our hectic days.

Sprend's simplicity in file sharing serves as a poignant reminder of how we can harvest the benefits of it in our everyday lives. Time is a precious commodity and we should not allow ourselves to overcomplicate matters. What we need are solutions that are not only quick but also efficient and reliable. Life, although it does not always present us with straightforward answers, offers Sprend as an exception, enabling us to concentrate on what genuinely matters.

Sprend Keeps You Connected

Photo by NASA

Looking forward, the year 2025 promises to be a period filled with thrilling developments and innovative features. More intelligent tools will facilitate file sharing, making it as effortless as locating your preferred pair of socks (you know, the ones that seem to vanish without a trace). There will, however, be a few delightful surprises.
Our primary objective, alongside all these gleaming new features, is to prompt you to consider, “Indeed, this is precisely why I selected Sprend!”

We are here to simplify our lives but also to add some humor down the way. Thank you for placing your trust in us, our customers are the reason we persist in our endeavors!

Sprend's Reflection and Vision for 2025

Sprend is not just a service; it is a safeguard in an unpredictable world and online realm. Founded on the basic needs of the pyramid developed by Maslow, every single service Sprend offers begins with the most intrinsic of all human needs - a feeling of security. There is a service for this: the Sprend way makes sharing of any files safe and private so that users can concentrate on the real issues at hand - be it a deal closure, a project, or interpersonal relationships.

But we argue that safety is merely the starting point of the journey. If we remove the fear of "what if" from the people, then we are setting them at a higher level of goals. The future of Sprend, however, extends far beyond just protected and secured file-sharing systems, it facilitates everyone to express themselves, work together, and create effortlessly. Fantastic, confident tools and a creative environment where people would be using Sprend to turn ideas into realities instead of merely securing their data. This is what we strive for to transform users from a secured position to an empowered position where they can achieve their fullest potential in every way.

Going forward, we seek to build on this base. Our objectives are challenging but quite realistic taking into account our faith in development and change. We see Sprend becoming a global market leader in secure communication, a platform that will become a Metaphorical safety net for millions and creativity. Furthermore, each feature will aim to become even more intuitive, security simplified and every interaction will be inspirational.

Thank you for supporting us and choosing a service that cares about its users. In 2025, our priority is to add new features and make the service even better and more creative in the sending process.

The Sprend team wishes you a happy and successful 2025. But first of all, have fun in December!

Photo by Joshua Hoehne (Unsplash)

Restoring Trust in a Surveillance-Driven World: How Sprend Protects Your Privacy and Data

Society has more than enough instances to cause one to wonder about one's privacy. One sends an email, a photograph, or a document, and the whole stuff can be transferred into a large-scale oversight control system.

It is enough to consider this a plotline of a fiction film, for example, the movie The Dark Knight, in which Batman resorts to unethical practices of using the surveillance system that operates throughout Gotham City in an effort to catch the villain. However, he even salvages the situation but is not comfortable when it comes to the ethical issue and upshots of the procedure and ends up shutting the whole system down. The issue here resides in that it is a matter of hope rather than certainty that such things in real life will not be abused - or even used.

Can you afford to be friends with the Joker?

Photo by Debasish Lenk (Unsplash)

This is not an imaginary concept. It is the essence of current supervision. An enormous length, such as the ones employed by certain organizations, encompasses not just the ‘bad guys’ but also interferes with the most private aspects of the majority including text messages, e-mails, and even sensitive business documents. So, what about privacy, autonomy, and trust?

Now let’s take this on a personal level. Let’s say one of you who is attending this presentation has been involved in preparing a very sensitive investment proposal. It may be in the middle of a heated negotiation. It may be a term sheet for an innovative new venture. You share the document through email or cloud storage. At a certain point in time, that document is intercepted not by cyber intruders but by normal day-to-day activities of advanced technology. It is tagged and it is copied to be saved in a central office. A document that is utterly innocuous, drowned out by the chorus of millions of other documents and files that could, through the ‘wrong’ circumstances, become prominent and significant one day. A rival gets a whiff of it, it interferes with your deal and now the faith you used to have in the precise tools is entirely reversed. In place is an insatiable suspicion. What else do these people have knowledge about?

That is where Sprend comes in

We are communitarians, and we are firm about our beliefs — privacy is not a privilege; it is an absolute right. Your pictures or business documents are yours, and no one has the right to infringe on them. What we have constructed is more than a file-sharing platform; we have indeed constructed a fortress. We have so much confidence in the processes, protection, and privacy that we begin to encrypt your data the moment you upload it to the platform when users choose this option. In order to access your files, not even Sprend developers have it. It is not a shortcoming; it is a decision. There is a reason why we decline to bend towards obliterated privacy.

Don't befriend those who can steal your peace of mind. Instead of the Joker, make it Batman!

Photo by Jon Tyson (Unsplash)

Strengthening the bond with other family members, developing a new relationship, or securing the past can be dull and restrained as you know from experience. You begin losing your cool as the government or even a business or hackers can ring your doorbell. However, with Sprend that door becomes a wall expanding technologies and trust. Moreover, we protect with confidence your most vested data.

There is one thing that cannot be questioned and that value is of our work, especially the certainty that one may hope for a sense of safety regarding information and files, which is imminent, alleviates pressure and restores lost trust. We are not a file-sharing service; it’s more than that; we are a company ensuring that what matters to you is never lost!

Vad används Sprend till?

Skogsgryningen -  Fotograf: Leif Milling (infälld)

Vad används Sprend till? Det kan kännas platt med datorer, hårdvara och överföringar i omtumlande hastighet. I själva verket underlättar all denna teknik vår kultur och vårt liv med vidgade vyer och starka känslor. 

En Sprend-användare som fångat något som ligger svenskarna nära om hjärtat är fotografen och författaren Leif Milling i sin bok ÄLSKADE SKOG.

“Här kommer min bok där alla bilder har färdats med Sprend.”

— Leif Milling

”Här kommer min bok där alla bilder har färdats med Sprend”, skriver han till mig när jag får boken i min hand. Du kan också skicka dina bilder med Sprend.

Mäktiga vyer! Fotograf: Leif Milling

Tänk att vi får vara del av detta!

Tittar vi oss noga omkring i naturen så ser vi fantastiska detaljer, vatten och grönska som andas liv. Världens lungor. Boken låter oss omfamna naturens skiftningar och ger oss berättelser om människors relation till skogen. Människor som lever ”i skogslandet” och vissa som driver företag där.

Norna, Gimdalen - Fotograf: Leif Milling

Leif Milling skriver även om hur skogens kemi skapar hälsa till folket: att skogens andedräkt är vår lustgas, att immunförsvaret får kraft för våra naturliga mördarceller blir fler när vi vistas i naturen, och Oxytocin ”må-bra-hormon” produceras i hypofysen.

Det är en må-bra bok helt enkelt, som gärna får ligga framme, öppen i något vackert uppslag. -Kanske får du inspiration att meditera i skogen, något som i Japan kallas Shinrin-Yoku, skogsbad, skriver Milling. -Kanske blir du sugen att testa något av recepten, som att göra te av Mjölkörtsblad,Toras kesfil med granskottssirap, blåbärsgröt eller varför inte älgbuljong, nu när förråden är påfyllda. 

Sofia i Björndalen - Fotograf: Leif Milling

Milling välkomnar oss i alla fall in: ”Sätt dig nu på min axel. Öppna dina sinnen. Följ med mig in i min Älskade skog”. Vill du ha en sådan här härlig bok, så är den utgiven av Ågrenshuset AB med ISBN: 978-91-7542-373-9.

På gång: Leif Milling har en utställning i Kall på temat Sapmo Ovdanepmi- Älskade ren-på Kalleriet med start i december. Framöver så har Leif Milling även ett nytt projekt på gång, en ny bok tillsammans med Gunnar Westrin naturfotograf, författare och föreläsare. Då kommer sprend.com till nytta igen, www.sprend.com

Jättekul att se exempel på hur Sprend används!

Vi har tidigare skrivit om hur Vasakronan använder skog för bygga framtidens byggnader: 

Magasin X i Uppsala, Sveriges största kontorshus med stomme helt i trä: https://sprend.com/sv/products/vasakronan

Här kan du skicka en fil eller läsa mer om våra Abonnemang & Priser. www.sprend.com

File Quality Preservation with Sprend: No Details Missed

While transmitting pictures, every single pixel and soundbite needs focus. This will be of relevance to users dealing with high-resolution files, media file design, files or portions of reports, or documents that contain a lot of detail. Sprend, too, is aware of the need to defend the high resolution of a file from the moment it is uploaded until it is downloaded. Anything that is put into the dashboard will be what is finally shared with users.

With Sprend, every single shot is portrayed just as it has to be; bright and clear!

Photo by Joseph Greve (Unsplash)

Seamless File Transfers to Improve Quality Output

Here on Sprend, every transfer is lossless. What this means is that even where a file is transferred, the resolution of that file will remain constant. This is crucial considering this aspect is very important for the creators as well. For example, imagine a situation where a photographer snaps images of fabrics and forwards them to the clients. These have to be very high-quality images as there are hundreds of intricate details including the texture of the fabric and how it has been lighted. Sprend guarantees that these details remain unchanged during transfers.

Every transfer is lossless. Even where a file is transferred, the resolution of that file will remain constant.

Photo by Max Kukurudziak (Unsplash)

No Comeback on Quality for Big Files 

No matter the size of the file, a free user can attach 2GB, while a pro user has a limit of 100 GB (or more if needed). Even just a simple web page where a video editor would want to upload a 4k video of the entire film project, including the screenplay and shooting as well as the editing, and share it with the production team. In the case of regular file upload and sharing services, the minimization of the original file might be a norm, but in the case of Sprend, every single shot is portrayed just as it has to be; bright, clear, and waiting for the comment from an editor plus the review.

Further, maintaining a reasonable quality is also hard for graphic designers, marketers, or architects. For instance, how would the architect feel after sending 3D images of the building to the clients? Every detail has to be sent in the clearest possible image to visualize what was planned. This would similarly apply to companies that believe that spending extra is worth it because the outcome will be great; when it comes to business presentations, documents, or designs, they always deliver on time.

A lot of information gets lost in translation, however, with Sprend we should not begin to worry about that. We will make sure that the files that were sent by you will reach the recipients in the exact way that they were intended to be.

Sprend Free vs. Pro: Two versions that serve different market segments. Which one will work for you?

Especially for infrequent senders or for those who are transferring files more often than not, Sprend provides two options, which include the strong Free version and the more updated Pro version aimed at users who require more advanced future capabilities. Let’s look at the differences so you know how to select the best one for you!

Sprend Free – The Most Important Capability: Simplified, Yet None the Less Efficient

Sprend Free plan is valuable when there is no need to make any additional Subscription and anyone can deliver files effectively and securely. With Sprend Free, you get:

Basic File Transfer: Easily upload and send files with a size of up to 2 GB - suitable for sending videos, pictures, and large documents.

File Creation and Storage Variety of Seven Days: All the files transmitted are kept for seven days and it’s automatic cleansing for the safety of the user.

Measures that allow wiring with ease: File can be shared through the link or attached in the message and emailed completely.

No Account Required: You will not have to register to do this. All you have to do is locate the image or document and send it.

When you want fast and simple secure file sharing, Sprend Free is the solution to go with in order to fulfill mundane day-to-day file-sharing needs.

Sprend Pro – More Power, Flexibility, and Control

If for some reason basic functionality is not enough, Sprend Pro provides a variety of advanced features fit for regular users, freelancers, and businesses. What does the Pro account provide? Here’s what you get:

Encryption with Password Protection: Many business users will be concerned about security, and the Password Protection feature has been offered by Sprend Pro for such reasons. Pro users may passcode their files such that even the intended recipient cannot view them unless they have the authorization (shared password through a different route).

Save Passwords for Future Use: Pro users will save commonly used passwords, saving time in repeated file transfer processes and increasing productivity. When marked, Sprend saves your passwords so that it can be used in future transfers, hence speeding up the process and making secure sharing simple.

Increased File Size: You are able to send files with a maximum size of 10 GB with Sprend Pro, which is ideal for high-quality images, lengthy movies, and other files that are larger than the average size of an email.

Enhanced File Room: Files may be held for download for as many as four weeks, providing your recipients with ways to access and download without any hurry.

File Deletion Control: Pro subscribers have the option to erase files at any moment before the preset expiration time, allowing for greater control over delivered items.

Incoming Flex Feature: One of Sprend Pro’s standout capabilities is the Incoming Flex feature. With Incoming Flex, Pro users can receive files up to 100 GB from non-Pro users. This is ideal for Pro users who collaborate with clients, colleagues, or friends who may not have a Pro account, allowing seamless large file transfers from anyone.

Download Notifications: You will also get information every time someone downloads your file, when the file is accessed and received it will be clear.

Brand Customization: A personalized experience is unwinding: Insert your logo or make some stylistic changes to your file transfer emails which your recipients will appreciate, hence, the emails look professional and classy. We will talk more about it in one of our next blog posts.

Support Service: We appreciate all our customers, so you will always get the info about the functionalities that Sprend has. You will talk to our agent, not AI.

For a credible mass transmission with increased, regular rates of transfer, schemes, and control mechanisms for the file transmission procedure – Sprend Pro fit in quite well.

Which Plan is Right for You?

A person who is not frequent will benefit from using Sprend Free as it has a simple, quick solution for transferring files of up to two gigabytes in size. Otherwise, for businesses or clients who expect to use Sprend’s services on a larger scale and with more features, Sprend Pro has many useful features that will improve productivity and control.

The data of clients and their files are protected by Sprend in both its Free and Pro versions. Let them try the Sprend and then select the plan that will best suit them!

Find out more at https://sprend.com/en/products/plans-and-prices.

Email World: Vulnerable and not made for sending files

In today's world, we are more aware of many risks. We have access to information and more knowledge about everything around us. We would expect that we, therefore, make better choices and that our lives are simpler. Let's take plastic, for example. At one point, man became aware of how harmful it is to the environment. We've done a lot of damage so far. But did that knowledge make us aware of using it? Still, we use it every day, ignoring inconveniences. In almost every field, email is the same as plastic. A beautiful interface and simplicity of use - emails should indeed be one of the best ways to share files. But is this so or are we using them in an unsafe way, out of habit, because nothing bad has ever happened? So far.

Photo by Naja Bertolt Jensen 

Are emails easily compromised?

The history of emails started in 1971 when the first-ever electronic mail was dispatched launching a wave of transformation in how people communicate digitally. In recent decades, electronic mail has become a mainstay in both social and professional communication as it is easy to use, convenient, and reaches out to users globally. But even as email offers a lot of benefits, it was never meant to be secure. Its basic protocols have remained the same and mostly unchanged for over fifty years, exposing people to data breaches and a wide range of privacy issues.

Vulnerabilities of Emailing

It’s the fundamental architecture of email delivery that exposes the data first. The conventional email that we use now operates through a simple email transfer protocol( SMTP), which does not encrypt messages automatically. It signifies that messages sent as emails are sent in clear text, which is prone to interception by 3rd parties whenever there is a transmission over public networks. Emails, when sent, are forwarded through many servers before reaching the recipient. This means that there are several points for a message to be intercepted. The absence of encryption puts the users at risk of middleman attacks in which hackers can easily capture and read data sent as messages.

This risk is made worse by public Wi-Fi, which is usually found in such areas as cafes and airports. Simply logging onto a public Wi-Fi network to check one’s emails allows anyone using that same network to read that individual’s emails. However, unless a user is connected through a Virtual Private Network (VPN) or is accessing an HTTPS-encrypted website, messages are easily intercepted and seen by other users. Recent advances have made it easier for people to use encryption and VPNs, but the use of such technologies is not common among email clients. As a result, a large number of emails are sent every day without low levels of security.

Sadly, email also has its hazards relating to the content of the message. After being transferred from the sender, the email gets lodged on permanent locations—servers—which may or may not apply end-to-end or at-rest encryption to secure their contents. Most popular email service providers care more about ease of use and benefits across millions of users so that any information, including messages and attachments, is often stored and transferred in its original form as files such as text on servers, and only accessible to authorized personnel. Such a vulnerability is very alarming to both enterprises and individuals constantly exchanging sensitive information as there are no assurances that those messages are secure even after delivery.

As if it was not difficult enough, email clients are also very often targeted by phishing attacks and malware. Users often fall prey to phishing emails that impersonate messages from trusted sources and often even ask users for login details or to click links that may be harmful to their devices. Once an email account is compromised by an attacker, they can destroy it all, view documents, and even send out emails from the compromised account. In our high-speed digital society, the mistake of an individual such as sending an email with information to the wrong person, is all too common and in fact, poses a danger of data exposure that may not be reversible. As frightening from a consumer point of view, once information is out there, it is more than likely that over time it will be used.

As encouraging as it is, providers like Tutanota, CounterMail, and StartMail promise to bring about a shift in the trend where emails are not secure. The problem however is that email was never built with security in mind. Such services are of assistance but do not wipe away the prominent issues facing email, especially, as many email services’ business model is clogged with advertising. For users who place a premium on security, they need to look for dedicated platforms that have very specific purposes and in this case, are aimed at secure and safe file sharing.

How Sprend Protects Your Data?

Service built for the people who value their privacy, security, and ease of use. In other words, with Sprend, users don’t have to worry about compromising the security of their files when sharing them across different platforms. Zero-knowledge encryption is another feature that stands out. If you upload a file to Sprend and check the password option, of course the file is encrypted, now only you and the people you sent the file to can see it. It is important to note that not even the system of Sprend is able to see the content of your files since the passkey which is your password is only known to you and the person or persons with whom you shared your password. Such difference in the way the password is used is one of the many differences between Sprend and the email providers that have already existed.

While account privacy is a huge concern for the company, it is enhanced by other factors that go beyond just encryption. Sprend is completely ad-free, which is unique compared to other websites to start with. It has no ad-based revenue to fund and does not sell information about its customers, nor does it seek to profit from spying on its clientele. This is why ads on Sprend’s webpage and applications do not mind customers—because Sprend offers a better experience without cluttering the interface with ads. Sprend has a tireless resolve that most websites lack: to sell nothing but its product and, therefore, not to mine customers’ data and sell it to other entities.

Photo by Towfiqu Barbhuiya

Another area where Sprend is different is customer service. Numerous tech companies put AI technology in the forefront as their first line of defense empowering their technical support to automated chats. With Sprend, we will never be using bots or AI chats with our customers. This decision is essential as far as Sprend’s approach to privacy and personalization is concerned. Unlike AI systems, which can store and analyze user interactions to perform better in the next, Sprend’s human-only support model assures complete anonymity of users as their interaction is not recorded. Questions and complaints are solved straightforwardly and effectively as in one-to-one engagements, therefore the risks of having automated data processing are ruled out. There are no tapes, no intrusion of data, and no risk of the information being kept for machine learning as well as other practices – just easy, fast, and human-wide assistance.

However, the commitment of Sprend to ensuring data security goes beyond that. All the shared files via the platform are kept on servers in Sweden, which is considered to be one of the countries with the highest standards when it comes to protecting personal privacy. Swedish regulations introduce strict measures regarding user privacy and data security for all enterprises dealing with private data of individuals. With Sweden being an EU member state, the EU Regulation of 27 April 2016, No. 2016/679 (GDPR) is also observed by Sweden which guarantees the protection of personal data and privacy of every individual residing within the EU. Furthermore, the fact that Sprend has servers in Sweden also ensures that it is not subject to certain international data laws like the U.S. CLOUD Act, which permits U.S. authorities to access data held in American servers. Most importantly, with Sprend, users can be assured that their data is private as it is subjected to a higher threshold of protection offered under European regulations.

Nonetheless, in the current climate of data breaches and privacy issues, there is a rising need for a service like Sprend that allows the safe sharing of confidential data and information. Instead of forcing customers to choose between security and ease-of-use, Sprend is taking a different approach where both would be part of the package. As more individuals concentrate on privacy and the relentless advertising of their products, spreading unencrypted files or providing human tech support are no longer effective ways to use Sprend. This, coupled with strong servers, puts Sprend at the forefront of secure file transfer.

Email is perhaps the most convenient way to send information, but with all of the inclusion of spam and data phishing, emails are outdated. These days, it is not only individuals who want to have secure communication and file exchange but corporations as well. It is offered by Sprend because this company places a focus on ensuring proper security and privacy while file sharing. It is especially important today when convenience often plays a bigger role than security; with Sprend’s services, you are guaranteed that the files shared remain secure and private.

And that file sharing is not just about sharing files; it’s about safeguarding files.

Never Happens with Sprend:

"Thank you for reaching out. We have received your message and will be in touch within 2 business days."

Coworking Pula - Modern Working Space Surrounded by Old Town Charm

For the first time after we changed offices, we tried the Coworking Pula as a workplace. Just a few minutes from the strict center, there is a new, modern building in this city that does not yet exist in such a modern form. 

If you have never been to Pula, imagine this street as a busy one. You can hear the buzzing of cars as you pass by, and everything somehow gives a sense of hustle and bustle. However, across the road, or a little further, some buildings were once important to this city.

During the Yugoslavian era, a flagship of modernism was built close by - a Department store that still stands abandoned in its original form and sad for some passers-by. But for those who keep their memories there, it seems like a real gift, the possibility of seeing it, at least from the outside, the same as before. At one time, you could buy all that one household needed there. Or have lunch, go to the hairdresser... But as time passed, in that line of buildings, everything turned gray and seemed forgotten.

Across from Coworking Place, there is another gem of Pula: Pattinaggio. It has been an essential part of Pula's social and sports life for over a hundred years. It was built as a roller-skating ring at the beginning of the nineteenth century, but soon, it became a multi-purpose venue and a core place of the cultural life of Pula. So, it is no wonder that people remember it as a place where sports competitions, dances, and friendships occur, helping people feel connected to the city's community.

The site has gone through many transformations corresponding to Pula’s different social and political periods. In the founding years, it served as an enthusiastic gathering place for roller-skating fans. Still, very soon, it expanded its activities to include roller hockey matches, artistic roller skating, and shows for the public. During the beginning of the 20th century, roller skating in the city was extremely well-received, with multiple skating facilities being built towards the end of that period.

Now, after you can finally imagine the stories surrounding the Coworking where many Pula companies, freelancers, and digital nomads will work, we will also say something about it. Of course, at first, when it opened in 2023, it delighted us. We were eager to give it a try, and the concept of fly desks—where you can book a desk for a day—sounded like a perfect solution for our team's flexibility.

First of all, it is run by a great team. The excellent Marinela, Jelena, and Anela are always at our disposal. This is the greatest strength of Coworking, a team with which everything is always easy to plan.

The space itself is spread across four floors and is quite the visual treat. It’s colorful, modern, and very spacious. We jumped right in, and while all the private offices are rented out, there’s still plenty of room for us and freelancers who pop in and out daily. It’s quiet, which is excellent for focusing. There is one thing you start to feel after a while: everything is open space, including the meeting areas. This can be a bit awkward when you’re trying to have a confidential conversation with clients or team members. 

We’ve also noticed a diverse crowd here—people speaking English, which suggests there are digital nomads. Unfortunately, we haven’t had the chance to meet them and talk. Maybe a divided social area would help a bit. While Coworking Pula offers plenty of space for work, there’s no comfortable nook for casual networking or grabbing a coffee and chatting with the people around you. It’s a bit of a missed opportunity, but we’re hoping that as the space evolves, something like that will be added.

And then, of course, there’s the topic of coffee. While many Coworking spaces across Europe spoil you with free coffee—places like Talent Garden in Italy, Spaces in Amsterdam, or Norrsken House in Stockholm, Coworking Pula offers a paying coffee machine, or feel free to make your own.

The kitchen itself is minimal (not equipped with dishes to use) and connected to the quiet area, so making coffee or your lunch involves a feeling you should stay silent so as not to disturb others working.

This new Coworking space has injected some fresh energy into our routine, and we can already see how it’s helping us connect with other local entrepreneurs and creatives in Pula. Sure, it’s still growing and has room for improvement—but it’s also an exciting first step for Pula’s Coworking scene. We’re still adjusting to this new urban rhythm; are we all ready for a change? Who knows? We have a great space for it.

Sprend Team in Coworking

Tanja, the source of the best business advice (and beyond) and inspiration. Arne, a developer. Besides coding always in search of the realization of his hobby projects. He would like to establish a Coworking center himself. We are curious!

Closing the Chapter of our Office Space

As we gear up for a new office move, it seems an opportune time to indulge in some reflection – and perhaps some laughter – regarding our stay at Mletačka 12, our Pula office. For the past four years, this has been the place of the Sprend company’s headquarters in the Istrian Development Agency Incubator. Here we built our team and upgraded things by hiring three more developers who very quickly became integrated into the fabric of our story. The ambiance allowed one to learn new skills and embrace new ideas as we all seemed to be nurturing each other’s creativity.

But simple working in the office wasn’t the only feature – many individual quirks, challenges and funny stories created the atmosphere that the office was more than just a shared space.

The ‘Bright’ Battle: A Funny Battle

Development was not just about the code; it also included our daily Seinfeld episodes. One of the most amusing was the ongoing struggle with the fluorescent lights. Every morning, we would eagerly open the curtains to let in the sunlight. But then, Arne would arrive, pouch in hand, and without hesitation, flip the switch, banishing the natural light and plunging us back into a glare that prompted an array of comical complaints: “Are we coding or performing surgery here?”

This playful banter always lightened the mood, with someone inevitably chiming in with a witty remark. Over time, however, Arne found himself persuaded to join the ‘dark side’—a decision that delighted us. So, when someone asks Arne: “What was your biggest team change?” He can mention this. For a start.

Widening Our Growth Quality with New Partnerships

The process was not internal only; some external partnerships complemented our work. One highlight was working together with Consonna’s Martina, or to say it in our office: “Martina the Great”. Her professionalism and good vibes enhanced our projects and improved our small stay in the so-called Pink Building.

Working with her was a textbook example of how performing teamwork is supposed to be done. More lessons were learned, we expanded ourselves, and a lot of coffee was shared, some of which, Arne will take the blame, and may have been taken out of the house.

The Great Coffee Heist

Coming to the point of coffee, no regular drink for Arne, but a proper entertainment strategy. Every morning we would watch him going into the kitchen and making himself a cup of Martina’s blended coffee. "Where's Arne?” “Oh, probably off on another coffee mission!” These small light-hearted episodes, the small contests we created to cheer ourselves that made this office special; made us proud contributors of this office.

Tanja’s Wisdom and Wit

Now, no reflection is complete without a mention of Tanja, our Croatian director. While Tanja wore many hats, she did so with style and a touch of humor to organize us all, keeping everything on its proper course. One of her best leadership qualities was being able to transition so easily from working to socializing.

She would be in a heated strategy meeting discussing ideas and vision and then turn around and say something insightful. There were many moments with her, but after most of them, one would exit feeling smarter and inspired.

Learning and Growing Together

It’s never just about writing computer programs. It concerned acquiring abilities, new ways of seeing things and engaging with our neighbors. We built friendships out of working on things like fixing the redundant wifi, conquering cold and empty halls, making a mistake with the code, and activating the security alarm.

We matured as a company but more importantly as a team as we learned from each other and from the ever-changing environment that surrounded us.

Move to the New Prologue

And now once again, as we gather our things (and yes some snacks), we do not forget the next stage of our journey with a feeling of anticipation. It may also be summer and the holiday season that has injected there some sense of nostalgia, but we are very curious to know what kind of antics we will have in our new premises.

A New Start Begins Here: The Impact of “Rachem”

At the heart of every community lies a responsibility to support those who are most vulnerable, and the Rachem homeless shelter in Pula is a shining example of how vital these efforts are. Run by the dedicated and compassionate Varja Bastijančić and her colleagues, Rachem has become a lifeline for individuals who have lost nearly everything but still hold on to hope. It’s more than just a place to sleep—it’s a space that restores dignity, offers safety, and provides the resources needed to begin rebuilding lives.

Rachem’s doors are open to all, without preconditions or judgment. It is a refuge where people receive more than just basic necessities. Each evening, visitors are welcomed with a hot meal, clean clothes, a shower, and a safe place to rest. As Varja says, “No one should be turned away,” and this guiding principle is what makes Rachem so impactful. By offering comfort and security, the shelter allows individuals to focus on more than just survival, helping them to rebuild their lives.

However, while the physical support offered by Rachem is essential, there is also an urgent need for digital empowerment. In today’s world, the ability to access the internet, apply for jobs, and develop new skills online is critical to gaining social mobility. Technology opens doors to opportunities that many of us take for granted, but many of Rachem’s users lack access to basic tools like laptops and internet services. This is where local IT firms can play a key role.

By donating laptops and other technology resources, local businesses can enable Rachem’s users to search for jobs, take online courses, and reconnect with society in meaningful ways. Providing access to these digital tools would give individuals the opportunity to apply for jobs, learn new skills, and even reconnect with loved ones—offering them a better chance to turn their lives around.

In the future, educational workshops could further empower the people Rachem serves. By teaching skills such as navigating the digital world, sending emails, writing CVs, and applying for jobs online, these workshops could give individuals the knowledge they need to regain control of their lives and access new opportunities.

Rachem is much more than a shelter—it’s a symbol of hope, compassion, and community. Every day, it transforms lives, showing the power of human connection and support. With the combined efforts of local businesses and individuals, Rachem can continue to be a beacon of hope for those who need it most, providing not just tools but also opportunities for people to build a brighter future.

What exactly is a byte?

“Who cares, not me! I just want to send my tremendously fat file!”

“Ok, then click on the link to Sprend to send quickly and smoothly! sprend.com Leave those of us who want to know more about bytes alone! Sooo, where were we now?”

Well, "byte" is a measurement unit for information size and is often abbreviated B. That's why you sometimes see kB, MB and GB listed. Of course, there have been many chefs in the broth since the rise of computers, so this text is a gross simplification, and we like that!

Ones and zeros!

To complicate matters straight away, a byte nowadays usually consists of eight bits (b), a so-called octet, i.e. a sequence of eight information-carrying bits that have the value 1 or 0.

Delightful music!

Lucia choir, bit late now don’t you think? A satisfied user just told us how happy grandma and grandpa were when they finally got to see a 117.7 MB film clip of their grandson's Lucia choir, taken with their cell phone camera in December. The user had not managed to email the film, because it was too large. After a tip, a free account was registered with Sprend and in no time the film was sent. Late, but much appreciated!

“Oh yes, you say, that thing with ones and zeroes sounds familiar.”

The context and the combination of these sequences, with ones or zeros, determines how the information should be interpreted.

A lot of work goes into bridging different ways of working. Many email servers for example, use 7-bit character sequences. Others use 16 bits, etc. In addition, byte is often used as the basic unit when talking about memories, for example hard drives. Many other designations are used, for transmission speed and so on, but we won't go into that here.

Worth mentioning however, is that there is an industry standard called Unicode, a bit like a lexicon of all ones and zeros. Its purpose is to have a common character encoding that works for everyone, regardless of language or computer system in the world, so that we can understand each other. The standard covers more than 100,000 characters, and uses a number of methods to store the characters in computers. Is it uppercase or lowercase? Is it a Chinese character? Is it an emoji? How should the characters be displayed, is it right-to-left writing like in Arabic? Unicode helps with all of these things.

Well then, how much is a megabyte?

1 GB = 1024 MB
1024 MB = 1 048 576 KB
1 048 576 KB = 1 073 741 824 Bytes
1 073 741 824 Bytes = 8 589 934 592 Bits

Sprend makes it easy to send large files, we say. “Well, why do we say that?”

“Well, because it's not so easy to send large files and folders via your email inbox, right? An attached link in an email, on the other hand, is a super flexible way. The recipient just clicks on the link to be able to download the file that you already uploaded to Sprend.”

Loads of people have been using Sprend's free version since 2004. 2 GB/or a maximum of 10 files per month can be sent with Sprend Free. How much is that really? Well, quite a lot actually:

1. How about a book such as "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy"? Times 17,500 copies!

(Calculation: The book has about 50,000 words. An average word in a novel is four letters. Including the space character, that's 250,000 characters in a book. We downloaded a free book and zipped it, making it 60% smaller. So with that logic, the Hitchhiker's Guide would take up 100KB as a file, with just text in it. Adding 20% for formatting with paragraphs and pages and fonts and we get 120KB. We can thus fit 17,500 Hitchhiker's Guide-sized books into a single Sprend package.)

2. Nice bits : )

regular picture taken with my mobile camera recently contained 4.3 MB.

3. Sizes depend on quality, but if you compare it to how you use a cell phone, when you buy data credit: 2GB is enough to stream 12 hours of music or watch two hours of Netflix. 2 GB is 2 billion bytes.

With Sprend Pro, you can send up to 100GB at a time as many times as you want and to many people at the same time. -Who sends such huge files? Well, for example, an organization that wants to send a backup. Anyway, it's a nice feeling to know that everything works when you want to send, and a little margin is never wrong.

We sometimes have users who get in touch and want to sprend bigger files, no problem, we'll help you.

• The largest file sent last year was 355 GB (a zip file downloaded four times), and the smallest was 1 byte (probably a file from MS-DOS, Microsoft's first operating system.)

Send a whole library with sprend.com!