Looking for an alternative to transferring a large file by email? Many files created today can be too large for some email clients to handle. Here are a few other ways to transfer files.

• Tranfer using an instant messaging program. Instant messaging programs (such as AOL, Yahoo! or MSN), allow you to attach files to the message and hit send. The file is transferred to the recipient in no time at all and, you can send files of almost any size.
  
  
• Wormholes. Wormholes are similar to instant messaging, without all the extra frills. CrystalFire's Wormhole is a low cost way for two PCs or even a Mac and a PC to share files. You simply load the program and a small box appears. The person you are sending to does the same on his computer. Then you just drag and drop a file and the file lands on your friend's PC. There is a registration fee of $15 per computer.
  
  
• USB Flash Drive. And what if you need to take a presentation with you to a meeting. You can always burn a CD, but an even easier alternative is to use a USB flash drive. These drives are not very expensive and are about the size of keychain. They can be used over and over again on either Macs or PCs. There is no need to prepare them like you need to prepare a CD.
  
  
• Yahoo! Briefcase. Yahoo's Briefcase online service is a handy, free way to move and store up to 30MB of data. You simply upload files into your briefcase, then use the service to send your friend or coworker an email message with a link to the file. You can have multiple briefcases, but no single file can be larger than 5MB. Be prepared for ads and to go through Yahoo's registration process. Go to http://briefcase.yahoo.com to get signed up.
  
  
• Upload to a Web Site. You can make large files accessible to multiple recipients by uploading them to a Web site. If you don't have web space, you can find a free web space provider at the 100 Best Free Web Space Providers site. To upload files to your storage site, use an FTP program, like the free FTP Explorer program. Once the files are uploaded, all you have to do is send the recipients a link to them.
  
  
• File-Holding Web Site. If you transfer lots of files and need lots of room to store them, use a fee-based file-holding Web site. Most of these services let you send an e-mail message containing a link for file retrieval. You pay a monthly fee and choose a plan based on storage size. Check out any of these sites: Magic Vortex, Xdrive or Znail.