For people who want to travel confidentially

[Oscar Levant]

Access or transfer your files from net, leave hard drive at home.

http://www.pogoplug.com/

I can see many uses for this device.

[mackigator]

Perhaps. Dropbox (http://www.getdropbox.com/) is a lot easier though - hard to beat free, no gadgets, and about a 2 minute setup. Dropbox and Google docs are all I have needed, though I'm not traveling confidentially much - usually I tell lots of people where I'm going! ;)

[Oscar Levant]

Yes, Dropbox is fine if you want your files stored on some third party's server. I can see many reasons why that is not desirable.

[sonofdanang]

For the C-note you'd spend on the gadget, you can buy a year of hosting service with full ftp access - whether or not you build a website. Leaves the maintenance and upgrade hell to the third party.

I back up to CD (not DVD!) then online.

But if you want to shoulder the process, here's another alternative. MY BOOK makes a 1 T-byte drive that has an ethernet connection built-in. Plug it into your router. Configuring internet access is simple. Cost: around 250 USD.

[Trius]

For the same money you can get a router with USB port (I bought an Apple Airport Extreme) and configure reverse DNS, if necessary.