Sprend's Reflection and Vision for 2025
2024 was a year of learning, changing and progress. 2025 is looking for even more because our users deserve it!
Thanks to Nik (Unsplash) for the cover photo that made our day!
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.”
”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!
Let’sGrow 2024. “AI in focus”
Istrian's third Let'sGrow Conference is behind us. Powered by ICT Istra, the main theme was AI and its impact on humans and society. It's viewed from all aspects, not only technological but also social, psychological, and legal. This is not the first time in human history that we wonder if machines will replace us. This 2024 conference was led by people, not robots; we'll see if there will be changes in the coming years. What is certain is that we will have to adapt and change our ways of working. The advantage of AI is that it will speed up certain work processes, but as things stand now, humans are irreplaceable.
Let’sGrow 2024, Pula
Members of the ICT Istria Association
Some of the topics were: "AI in the service of the community," "Artificial intelligence and human: a humanistic, legal and psychological perspective”, "Artificial intelligence does not exist?" Korado Korlević, in his humorous way, says that no one even claims that it exists. This astronomer and educator sees the greatest strength in teaching children in their efforts to become better and bigger people, and astronomy is just counting pebbles, he says. He gives powerful advice about children, our greatest strength for the future: "Catch them before the age of nine while they still dream of dinosaurs and stars." After that, motivation creates people who demand more from this society—not only athletes but also scientists!
Aleksandar Stanković and Mislav Malenica had a very interesting conversation on “Wednesday at two”. AI is not here to replace us but to help us make good decisions, says Malenica, the founder of Mindsmiths. He shared an interesting story about his research: What do people most regret before they die? The courage that was missing when they were younger. They weren't brave enough to say what they thought and felt and take steps that might lead them to life changes.
We met with information about the application of artificial intelligence in medicine, education, winemaking, and hospitality. Parallel with the main program, visitors eager for interactive and gaming content had the opportunity to spend time in the Show Program and Gaming Zone and experience 'speed dating' with potential employers.
It was concluded that unlike artificial intelligence, which is powerful, fast, and fascinating, human beings, besides creativity and intuition, have the most important thing: emotions.
We are guessing that's why we sometimes automatically say "thanks" to ChatGpt.
Never Lose Upload Progress Again with Sprend
Have you ever…
reached that agonizing moment where you’re just about to finish an upload, but suddenly, you see the blue bar racing from left to right at the top of your window, and you realize that your progress so far is gone? Or perhaps you are just about to complete your upload, and your device runs out of battery. When you return to the page, you are met with the home page, and your uploading progress is lost. Fear not, fellow file sender, for there is a hero in this tale: Sprend!
Unlike other file transfer services that return you to the homepage and make you repeat the uploading process, Sprend keeps things moving with a game-changing feature: resumable uploads. That is correct, you can now bid farewell to starting from scratch if your browser isn't cooperating or your computer decides to nap in the middle of an upload. With Sprend, you can continue right where you left off, saving you time and hassle.
You don’t believe us?
Well, don’t just take our word for it. We have tested seven file transfer services: Wetransfer, pCloud, Internxt, Smash, Filemail, pCloud, and TransferNow. These tests simulated real-world scenarios, such as power outages (simply unplugging the cable to the computer) and surprise page refreshes. The results were unambiguous, Sprend emerged victorious from this extensive testing as the only service that consistently made resumable uploads possible.
This is how it looks in Sprend. We start by sending a file:
Browser pages get reloaded in
different situations.
This happens often when you are on your mobile phone or, for example, when your computer decides it is time to save some power. It will then close the page, and when you return, it will reload it.
We reloaded then the ongoing
Sprend
upload page.
When the reload was done, all other services returned you to the start page, and you would have to redo everything.
With Sprend,
you will instead need to choose your file again (the red icon will disappear), then press the Continue button, and the upload will continue where it was interrupted:
With that said…
next time you need a secure file-sharing service that does not put you at risk of losing your uploading progress, look no further than Sprend. With its resume upload feature, you can rest easy knowing your files will not lose their uploading progress, thanks to the hero Sprend. Now go and upload with complete inner peace!
FREE, No credit card required
Förlora aldrig uppladdad data med Sprend
Sluta slösa tid på avbrutna uppladdningar
Har du någonsin varit mitt uppe i en uppladdning, nästan klar, när du plötsligt ser det blåa laddningsfältet rusa från vänster till höger högst upp i fönstret och du inser att din uppladdning försvunnit? Eller kanske håller du på att slutföra uppladdningen och din enhet får slut på batteri. När du kommer tillbaka till sidan möts du av startsidan och dina uppladdningsframsteg är förlorade. Frukta icke, kära filöverförare, för det finns en hjälte i denna saga: Sprend!
Slipp frustrationen med återupptagbara uppladdningar
Till skillnad från andra filöverföringstjänster som skickar dig tillbaka till startsidan och tvingar dig att starta om uppladdningsprocessen, sitter Sprend i förarsätet med en banbrytande funktion: återupptagbara uppladdningar. Det stämmer, du kan nu vinka hejdå till att börja om från början om din webbläsare inte samarbetar eller om din dator bestämmer sig för att ta en tupplur mitt i en uppladdning. Med Sprend kan du fortsätta precis där du slutade, vilket sparar dig tid och möda.
Testad vinnare
Inte helt övertygad? Tja, du behöver inte lita blint på oss. Vi har testat sju filöverföringstjänster: WeTransfer, pCloud, Internxt, Smash, Filemail, pCloud och TransferNow. Dessa tester simulerade verkliga scenarier, såsom strömavbrott (genom att helt enkelt dra ut strömkabeln till datorn) och oväntade sidouppdateringar. Resultaten var entydiga, Sprend gick segrande ur denna omfattande testning, som den enda tjänsten som konsekvent möjliggjorde återupptagbara uppladdningar.
Så här ser det ut i Sprend. Vi börjar genom att starta en uppladdning:
Webbsidor laddas om i flera
olika
situationer…
Detta kan ske ofta när du använder din mobil eller, till exempel, när din dator bestämmer sig för att det är dags att spara ström. Den kommer då att stänga sidan, och när du återvänder, kommer den att laddas om. Vi laddade om Sprends uppladdningssida:
Vi laddade om Sprend sidan med den
pågående uppladdningen.
När webbsidan laddas om kommer alla andra tjänster att returnera dig till startsidan och du behöver göra om allt igen.
Med Sprend…
behöver du bara välja filen igen (den röda ikonen försvinner) och sedan trycka på knappen "Fortsätt" så fortsätter uppladdningen där den avbröts.
Med det sagt…
Nästa gång du behöver en säker fildelningstjänst som inte riskerar att du förlorar dina uppladdningsframsteg, behöver du inte leta längre än Sprend. Med Sprends funktion för återupptagning av uppladdningar kan du känna dig trygg i vetskapen om att dina filer inte kommer att förlora sina uppladdningsframsteg, tack vare hjälten Sprend. Ladda upp med fullständig sinnesfrid nu!
GRATIS, Inget kreditkort krävs
Vad är en byte egentligen?
— Vem bryr sig, inte jag! Jag vill bara att det ska funka att skicka min fantastiskt feta fil!
— Ok, gå direkt till Sprend och skicka snabbt och smidigt! Lämna oss som vill veta mer ifred! Sååå, var var vi nu?
Jo, ”byte” är en måttenhet för informations-storlek och förkortas ofta B. Därför ser du ibland angivet KB, MB och GB. Självklart finns många kockar i soppan sedan datorernas tillkomst, så den här texten är en grov förenkling, och det gillar vi!
Ettor och nollor!
För att krångla till det hela direkt så består en byte numera oftast av åtta bitar (b), en så kallad oktett, det vill säga en sekvens av åtta informationsbärande bitar som har värdet 1 eller 0.
Ljuv musik!
Luciatåg, lite sent nu? En nöjd användare berättade just om hur glada mormor och morfar blev när de äntligen fick se en filmsnutt på 118 MB med barnbarnets Luciatåg, taget med mobilkameran i december. Användaren hade inte lyckats mejla, för filmen var för stor. Efter ett tips registrerades ett gratiskonto hos Sprend och på ett kick så var det löst. Sent, men väldigt uppskattat!
— Jaha säger du, ja det där med ettor och nollor låter bekant.
Kontexten och kombinationen av dessa sekvenser med ettor eller nollor bestämmer hur informationen ska tolkas.
Mycket jobb läggs på att överbrygga olika sätt att jobba. Många e-postservrar utgår exempelvis från 7-bitars teckensekvenser. Andra använder 16 bitar. Byte används dessutom ofta som grundenhet när en talar om minnen, exempelvis hårddiskar. Det finns massa andra benämningar som används exempelvis för överföringshastighet, men det lämnar vi därhän.
Värt att nämna är dock att det finns en branschstandard kallad Unicode, lite som ett lexikon över alla ettor och nollor. Syftet med den är att få en gemensam teckenkodning som fungerar för alla, oavsett språk eller datorsystem i världen, så att vi kan förstå varandra. Standarden omfattar mer än 100 000 skrivtecken, och använder ett antal metoder för att lagra tecknen i datorer. Är det stor eller liten bokstav? Är det ett kinesiskt tecken? Är det en emoji? Hur ska tecknen visas, är det höger-till-vänster-skrift som i arabiska? Allt det här hjälper Unicode till med.
Hur mycket är en gigabyte nu dårå?
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 bitar
Sprend gör det enkelt att skicka stora filer säger vi. — Jaha, varför säger vi det?
— Jo, för det är inte så lätt att skicka stora filer och mappar via din mejlbrevlåda, eller hur? En bifogad länk i ett mejl däremot är ett supersmidigt sätt. Mottagaren klickar bara på länken för att kunna ladda ner filen, som du redan laddat upp till Sprend.
Många använder Sprends gratisversion sedan många år. Med Sprend Free kan en skicka 2 GB, eller max 10 filer per månad. Vad räcker det till? Ja, ganska mycket faktiskt:
1. Vad sägs om en bok som till exempel ”Liftarens guide till galaxen”? Gånger 17500 exemplar!
(Uträkning: Boken har cirka 50 000 ord. Ett genomsnittligt ord i en roman är fyra bokstäver. Inklusive mellanslagstecknet blir det 250 000 tecken i en bok. Vi zippade en bok, vilket gjorde den 60 % mindre. Så med den logiken, så skulle Liftarens guide som ren textfil vara på 100 KB. Låt oss lägga till 20% för formatering med stycken och sidor och typsnitt och vi får 120 KB. Vi kan alltså få plats med 17 500 stycken böcker av Liftarens guides storlek, i en Sprend-sändning.)
2. Trevliga bitar : )
En vanlig bild tagen med min mobilkamera nyss var på 4,3 MB.
3. Storlek beror på kvalité, men om du jämför med hur du använder en mobil, när du köper surf till mobilen: 2 GB räcker till att streama 12 timmar musik eller se två timmar på Netflix. 2 GB är 2 miljarder byte.
Med Sprend Pro kan du skicka upp till 100 GB i taget hur många gånger du vill och till många samtidigt. — Vem skickar sådana feta filer? Tja, till exempel en organisation som vill skicka en backup. Men det är en skön känsla att veta att allt bara funkar när en vill skicka, så lite marginal är aldrig fel!
Vi har användare ibland som hör av sig och vill sprenda ännu större, inga problem det fixar vi!
Den största skickade filen senaste året var på 355 GB (en zip-fil som laddades ner fyra gånger), och den minsta var på 1 byte.
Välkomna till sprend.com!
Securing Client Confidentiality: Tabitha's Case Study on Utilizing Sprend Encryption for Trust
Security is crucial when sharing files, especially sensitive financial information. A data breach can damage a reputation. Clients may lose trust in the organization's ability to protect their sensitive information, leading to a loss of business and negative publicity. How can it be prevented?
Introduction:
Tabitha is a seasoned bookkeeper with over two decades of experience. Throughout her career, she has managed a plethora of financial data, ranging from sensitive payroll records to intricate financial plans. Tabitha understands the paramount importance of client confidentiality and the potential repercussions of a data breach. With the evolving landscape of cyber threats, Tabitha proactively seeks robust solutions to safeguard her clients' sensitive information.
Challenges Faced by Tabitha:
In her role as a bookkeeper, Tabitha encounters various challenges concerning data security. The diverse nature of the financial documents she handles, including bank account information, tax records, and invoices, necessitates stringent security measures. Traditional file-sharing methods, such as email attachments, pose significant risks of interception and unauthorized access. Moreover, maintaining client trust amidst growing concerns about data privacy becomes increasingly challenging.
Solution Implemented: Sprend Encryption for Trust:
Recognizing the critical need for enhanced data security, Tabitha explores innovative solutions to bolster client confidentiality. After diligent research, she discovers Sprend, a secure file-sharing platform renowned for its advanced encryption capabilities. Tabitha integrates Sprend into her workflow to ensure the utmost protection for her clients' sensitive financial data.
Implementation Process:
Tabitha seamlessly incorporates Sprend into her daily operations, leveraging its user-friendly interface and robust security features. To safeguard against potential breaches, she opts for Sprend's encryption functionality when sharing confidential financial documents with clients. She follows a simple process: selecting the files, setting a strong password, and entrusting Sprend with the encryption process. This streamlined approach ensures data security and instills confidence in her clients regarding protecting their sensitive information.
"After integrating Sprend encryption into my workflow, I've found peace of mind in knowing that my clients' confidential data is fortified against cyber threats. With Sprend, security isn't just a feature; it's a promise."
Benefits Realized:
The adoption of Sprend encryption yields multifaceted benefits for Tabitha and her clients:
Enhanced Data Security: Sprend's advanced encryption protocols provide a secure environment for transmitting sensitive financial documents, mitigating the risk of unauthorized access or interception.
Client Trust and Confidence: By prioritizing data security and implementing robust encryption measures, Tabitha reinforces her clients' trust in her ability to safeguard their confidential information effectively.
Streamlined Workflow: Sprend's intuitive platform simplifies file-sharing, enabling Tabitha to expedite client communication while ensuring compliance with stringent security standards.
Peace of Mind: With Sprend encryption, Tabitha and her clients can rest assured knowing that their sensitive financial data remains protected against potential cyber threats, fostering peace of mind and confidence in their professional partnership.
Photo by Kelly Sikkema
Conclusion:
Tabitha's proactive approach to data security exemplifies her commitment to maintaining the highest standards of confidentiality and trust in her profession as a bookkeeper. By embracing Sprend encryption, Tabitha not only fortifies the security of her clients' sensitive financial data but also strengthens the foundation of her professional relationships through transparency, reliability, and integrity.
In an era when data breaches are an ever-present threat, Tabitha's case study underscores the importance of leveraging innovative solutions like Sprend encryption to safeguard client confidentiality and uphold the principles of trust and accountability in financial management.
A Photographer's Journey with Sprend
Have you ever been stuck trying to send breathtaking, high-resolution images to clients or collaborators? It's like trying to capture the perfect shot in the dark! But fear not; we are tidings on a solution with Sprend.com!
Introduction: In the bustling world of professional photography, delivering high-resolution images to clients or collaborators is often akin to navigating a labyrinth. The need to securely share large files while maintaining image quality and data integrity poses a significant challenge. However, amidst these hurdles, a beacon of hope emerges in Sprend—a platform designed for fast and secure file sending. This case study delves into the experiences of a photographer grappling with file-sharing dilemmas and how Sprend emerged as the solution.
The Challenge: Anna is a freelance photographer renowned for her captivating portraits. Anna's work often involves collaborating with clients and fellow creatives, necessitating the seamless sharing of large image files. However, traditional file-sharing methods fell short of meeting her requirements. Email attachments proved cumbersome, often limiting file size and compromising image quality. FTP servers offered a semblance of reliability but lacked user-friendly interfaces and robust security measures. Anna constantly struggled to balance efficiency with data protection—a dilemma familiar to many photographers.
Discovering Sprend: In the middle of Anna's search for a viable solution, she stumbled upon Sprend! The promise of lightning-fast uploads and top-notch security intrigued her, sparking a glimmer of hope. As she delved deeper into the platform, she was pleasantly surprised by its simple interface and array of practical features. From seamless file uploads to customizable security settings, Sprend seemed poised to address her file-sharing woes, leaving her with a sense of anticipation and excitement.
Implementation: Eager to test Sprend, Anna began uploading her high-resolution images onto the platform. To her delight, the process was remarkably smooth, with files uploading at unprecedented speeds. Sprend's robust security measures, including encryption and password protection, instilled confidence in Anna, knowing that her valuable work was safeguarded from prying eyes. Moreover, Sprend's compatibility with various file formats, including RAW files and HD images, ensured that Anna could deliver her work in pristine condition without compromising quality.
Results and Benefits: With Sprend by her side, Anna experienced a transformative shift in her file-sharing endeavors. What was once a source of frustration and uncertainty transformed into a seamless and efficient process. Clients and collaborators marveled at the speed and professionalism with which Anna delivered her work, enhancing her reputation as a trusted photographer. Moreover, Sprend's user-friendly interface simplified collaboration, allowing Anna to focus her energy on capturing moments that truly mattered. This success story serves as a testament to the power of Sprend, inspiring others to embrace its potential.
“As a freelance photographer, privacy and efficiency are crucial to me and my clients. Sprend has been a boon in that regard. It's incredibly easy to use, and I can trust that my clients' privacy is protected every step of the way.”
Conclusion: In the dynamic world of photography, efficiency and security are crucial. Sprend emerged as a beacon of innovation, offering photographers like Anna a lifeline in their quest for seamless file sharing. By harnessing Sprend's capabilities, photographers can break free from the limitations of traditional methods and embrace a future where every upload is a masterpiece. As Anna discovered, with Sprend—every day is an opportunity to capture brilliance and share it with the world.
Photo by Drew Farwell
Heroes, just for one day?
Are you tired of the hassle of sending large files, waiting for them to upload, and worrying if they've been received intact? Imagine a solution where you can be a hero just for one day, effortlessly sending those hefty files without breaking a sweat. Enter Sprend Pro, your companion for conquering file-sharing challenges.
With Sprend Pro, you can access a streamlined and efficient service that lets you easily send large files. And the best part? You can do it all in just one day! Gone are the days of committing to lengthy subscriptions when you only need a quick solution for that one crucial file transfer.
Photo by Jessica Podraza (Unsplash)
Here's how it works:
Sign Up and Select Your Plan: Start by signing up for Sprend Pro and choosing the "One Day" plan. This gives you access to all the premium features for a full day, allowing you to send files of any size without limitations.
Upload Your Files: Once signed in, upload the files you need to send. Whether it's high-resolution images, HD videos, or massive documents, Sprend Pro can handle it.
Customize and Secure: Customize your file-sharing experience with options to add password protection, set expiration dates, and control who can access your files. Rest easy knowing that your sensitive data is safe and secure.
Send with Confidence: Your files will arrive with just a few clicks. Sprend Pro's advanced technology ensures fast and reliable delivery, so you can be sure that your important files will reach their destination promptly.
Track and Manage: Keep track of your file transfers with real-time notifications. Whether you're sending files to clients, collaborators, or friends, you'll always know the status of your transfers.
One-Day Wonder: There are no long-term commitments or hidden fees. Pay for the day you need and enjoy hassle-free file sharing like never before.
Whether you're a freelancer, a small business owner, or someone who occasionally needs to send large files, Sprend Pro's "One Day" plan covers you. Sign up today and discover the freedom of effortless file sharing, even if it's just for one day!
From Word to World: The Birth of 'Robot' in Human Language
🤖 Have you ever wondered where the term "ROBOT" strutted onto the stage of human language? Let us whisk you back to the roaring 1920s when the visionary Karel Čapek wove a mesmerizing tapestry of futurism and caution in his groundbreaking drama "Rossum's Universal Robots".
Picture this: a world grappling with the dawn of artificial intelligence, teetering on the precipice of human ingenuity and unchecked ambition. In this tantalizing narrative, "robot" takes center stage, derived from the Czech word "ROBOTA", an evocative term dripping with the sweat of forced labor and the relentless grind of drudgery.
RUR reflects the ethos of the 1920s, yet its trenchant commentary on the intersection of humanity and technology resonates powerfully in contemporary times. At its core, it serves as a cautionary tale, warning of the perils inherent in the unchecked pursuit of scientific progress. Set in a future where robots, created to serve humanity, ultimately rebel against their creators, the play delves into themes of autonomy, identity, and the consequences of playing god. While Čapek's narrative predates the digital revolution by decades, its relevance to contemporary discussions surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) and automation is unmistakable.
✒ Through Čapek's pen, the term "robot" transcended mere linguistic novelty, symbolizing the fraught relationship between humanity and its creations, a testament to the age-old dance between innovation and consequence. So, the next time you hear the word "robot," remember its humble origins and the weighty themes it carries from a literary masterpiece that dared to challenge the very essence of human progress.
Photo: February 11, 1938: BBC airs the 1st science fiction television program – an adaptation of Karel Čapek’s Rossum’s Universal Robots. © BBC
Freedom to Roam
Many of us recognize the most beautiful voice of childhood, besides our mothers, the voice of Sir David Attenborough - a British broadcaster, biologist, natural historian, and author. TV presenter in numerous documentaries about nature and the animal world. Today, the 97-year-old has followed the world and its changes for many years, giving us the gift of getting to know nature from our living rooms. He taught us how to tell stories and that the world of nature and animals is closely connected to the human world. Even as children, it was clear that this man loved what he did.
Sir David Attenborough
We recognize him as the voice of natural history programs for the past 70 years. He has brought the natural world into our living rooms and classrooms through award-winning natural history programs such as Life on Earth, The Private Life of Plants, and The Blue Planet.
This is one of his many stories. “In 2021, the world watched as a family of wild Chinese elephants slept, exhausted after an epic 400-kilometer journey. Forced from their ancestral forest by the worst drought on record, the family had gone in search of a new home.
Having traveled through huge swathes of farmland, there was still no sign of them stopping. But what they did next surprised everyone. Crossing under a five-lane highway, the family approached the city of Kunming. Within days, the elephants had reached the city limits. And they quickly found themselves in a frightening new world. Scared and disorientated, the family had no choice but to turn around and begin the long march home.
Remarkably, despite the damage they caused, the elephants were not just tolerated by the local people, but helped, with hundreds of thousands of dollars spent guiding them safely home. After almost two years and more than a thousand kilometers on the road, the weary caravan arrived back in the southern forests, where the drought had eased. Against all odds, this part of the family's story had a happy ending. But it showed when animals are faced with dramatic change, the urge to move away can be overwhelming."
Humans and elephants share several similarities despite being different species. Both are highly social. They live in groups and form complex social structures. Elephants, like humans, exhibit behaviors such as cooperation, empathy, and communication. Both are known to experience a wide range of emotions. They mourn their dead, display signs of joy, and form deep bonds with family members. Highly intelligent animals capable of problem-solving, using tools, and learning complex tasks.
A drone image shows 14 Chinese elephants sleeping exhausted after an epic 400-kilometer journey. In the forest on the outskirts of southwest China's Kunming, Yunnan Province. Photo: AFP / Xinhua
Overall, this story is a powerful metaphor for people's challenges, resilience, collaboration, and learning experiences in life and business. Several parallels can be drawn.
Like these elephants, people often face changes, sometimes requiring them to venture into unfamiliar territory or adapt to new circumstances. New challenges are faced in those moments, such as crossing a five-lane highway and entering the city. By reaching its limits, elephants found themselves in a frightening new world that was disorienting and overwhelming. Their journey back to their southern forests after facing challenges in Kunming highlights the importance of learning from experience and making strategic decisions based on lessons learned.
There is one key thing. They couldn’t have succeeded without the unconditional help of the locals. Everything that happened earlier was a natural slide of things. But unconditional help in a situation where problems of these animals had become even bigger than themselves, was their only guide back to the southern forests. Despite the damage caused, the local community tolerated and helped them, with significant resources invested to guide them safely home.
This serves as a poignant reminder of the universal experiences of facing adversity, seeking resilience, finding support, and experiencing personal growth in life's challenges. Sometimes, in our forests, we find those who, against all odds, lead us to positive outcomes, and this is exactly what makes a significant difference in this world.
After you read this story, the outcome could remind you of someone you luckily have in your life. In my case, it was Tanja Salopek Evertsson, who would bring the elephants home safely. She probably wouldn't even sleep after that but play tennis instead.
Animating our logo with Keyshape for macOS
How we created the logo animation with the macOS application Keyshape.
Keyshape is a macOS application developed by Pixofield Ltd, located in Helsinki. It is a tool that enables users to create animations and save them as SVG files. SVG is the acronym for Scalable Vector Graphics, which allows users to create graphics that can be scaled without losing quality. Moreover, the file format supports interactivity and animation, and web browsers can render SVG files.
As a programmer, I found it to be an interesting challenge to animate our new logo with a vector-based animation tool. My goal was to create a brief scene that started with nothing and ended with the new logo fully formed.
Growing up, I always drew comics with my cousin Sven during summer holidays. We could only dream of having the skills of the classic Belgian and French comic artists. They seemed like wizards to us, having apparently reached an unattainable skill level. A wizard in that class has honored us with his magic and crafted our new logo; the immensely talented Vili Paoletić. He is a guy who will always overdeliver.
Keyshape
Getting to know the Keyshape app was an interesting challenge. It took some experimentation to understand the concepts, for example, how shapes can be grouped together and then rotated or resized as a single object.
My first attempt was to animate forward, i.e. starting with the initial square and then trying to shape it gradually into the resulting logo. That turned out to be too difficult.
The first attempt was to animate from the starting shape and transform it towards the target shape.
Backwards is the way forward
Since I knew where I wanted to end up, in the letter N of the logo, I decided to start from the end and animate backward towards the start. This turned out to be much easier. When I was done I used the Reverse Keyframes function of Keyshape.
The second attempt was to start from the end and move backward.
What does the Sprend say?
Everyone knows what a fox sounds like but what does the Sprend say? Well, there was really only one person who could possibly answer that question, and it was the Solna-based music producer John “Giovanni” Malmborg Sanitate. I more or less expected a soundtrack with a rap vibe, but Giovanni had something different in mind.
With the soundtrack in place, the animation could be finalized, and the Spaceship Sprenderprise could take off…
The Spaceship Sprenderprise
These are the uploads of the file transport spaceship Sprenderprise. Its mission: to deliver strangely big files; to find new senders and new recipients; to transfer files to places without bandwidth.
The complete animation with sound.
Show time?
The final step was to show the animation directly on sprend.com. This turned out to be harder work than making the animation itself. I wanted the it start automatically and to cover the whole window. I also wanted to be able to restart it on demand.
Showing an SVG file on a web page is quite easy. It can be added as a background image to a <div> element, which in turn covers the whole window.
.logo-animation {
background-image: url('/path/to/animation.svg');
background-repeat: no-repeat;
background-position: center;
background-attachment: fixed;
background-size: cover;
position: fixed;
top: 0;
left: 0;
height: 100vh;
width: 100%;
z-index: 1000;
cursor: pointer;
}The problem with this approach is that the starting, stopping and rewinding cannot be controlled by code. Once it has run it never runs again!
So, I tried the alternative of having Keyshape generate a JavaScript-controlled SVG file. But I could never make it work no matter how many different ways I tried to include the SVG code: directly on the page or referencing the SVG file path. I simply could not debug this code and see what was wrong, so I gave up.
In the end, I found a workaround. Javascript code adds the background-image CSS style directly to the <div> element, whose value also includes a URL parameter after the file path. Here is an example:
background-image: url(‘/path/to/animation.svg?p=7847238972341’)
Since the url parameter is generated randomly the browser finally gave up on playing the svg only once.
A problem I, however, could not solve is that Safari does not completely support the animation. It looks weird at one point when the letter N is forming. Let’s hope that is a problem Apple will solve soon.
Love is in the UI
I had a lot of fun making the animation and putting it directly on sprend.com. Using animation as a part of user-interface design is a technique that can visualise transitions between states, and also make the usage of the service more pleasurable. Why couldn’t a boring file-transfer service utilize the same tools as video games or movies to convey information and emotions? Our vision is to turn Sprend into the most loved file transfer service. Animations are one of the tools in the box to achieve that.