For sending large files to people, email usually isn’t the best means.

In some companies, there are limits to the size of file attachments that make it through corporate firewalls. Some block attachments of certain file types altogether.

In any case, sending big files via email just adds to overall email bloat and, especially if you use Outlook, gives you a massive PST file.

Those are some of the reasons why I’ve been using YouSendIt for the past few years to get large files to people (large typically meaning files in excess of 6Mb in size).

With a YouSendIt account, you simply log in on the website, choose the recipients of your file, upload the file to YouSendIt’s servers, and you’re done. Each recipient then gets an auto-email from YouSendIt with a link to download the file. It couldn’t be simpler.

Best of all, YouSendIt offers a free account which, for a lite user like me, is perfect. I’m limited to a maximum individual file size of 100Mb, a maximum of 100 downloads per file and a download bandwidth limit of 1Gb, but that’s more than plenty for my use.

If I want more, I can take out a paid account. In fact, there is a range of account options at different price points you can choose depending on your needs.

So I’ve been a happy user of YouSendIt for a while.

They’ve just made the service even better with a new desktop application for uploading files – no need to go online first and log in at the website – which offers:

• Up to 25% faster uploads
• Resumable upload – losing internet connectivity won’t mean losing a file
• Send files up to 2Gb each (paid accounts only)
• Right-click send a file functionality

I’ve just tried it – runs fine on my Vista desktop even though it’s intended for XP – and it works perfectly.

YouSendIt also offers a number of application plugins for uploading files including one that integrates with Outlook 2003. I use Outlook 2007 so I haven’t tried that one.

Overall, I think it’s a terrific service. If you haven’t tried YouSendIt yet, give it a go.