Ever wanted to send Box.net files directly from MS Outlook, Thunderbird, or even your GMail? There are two new OpenBox services that allow just that. Once added, you can right click any file or folder in your Box and select what client you want to send from - a new window will open up with your shared file URL… now you can send files directly from the interface of your choice. Here’s how to start:
http://www.box.net/services/outlook

http://www.box.net/services/gmail

- Aaron

About 30 hours later, there have been over 7,000 downloads of Box.net’s internet board game. Has anyone printed it out and played it? If so, please send us a pic! If you haven’t downloaded it yet, you can get it here: http://www.box.net/shared/dguu2bfy88

Update: Now we’ve hit 10,000!

Update #2: Now we’ve hit 15,500, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down.

Update #3: We now have 39,500 downloads for the board game… the main picture was viewed more than 75,000 times! and those numbers are still growing

At Box, we obviously spend a lot of time talking about what’s going on on the internet. With such a high quantity of real and rumored products and acquisitions announcements, Google obviously gets a lot of attention in our animated discussions. In the last few months, Google Health, AppEngine, Knol, Android, OpenSocial, Sites, and the rumored Skype acquisition (is that even real or just propaganda?) were some of the most talked-about topics. We often come to the conclusion that Google’s way to do business with other companies and interest in controling the information age makes the company look more and more like the software monopoly of yesteryears. Overall, it’s questionable whether such a powerful position made the world better or worse…

(click on the image to see full preview)

One day we got tired of being serious about the situation and came up with Googolopoly, a game where you can take part of ruling the internet even if you don’t work in Mountain View. The goal of the game is to use Google shares to buy as many properties as you can without landing in the deadpool and losing your stock. As with any great board game, there’s a very real metaphor to what’s going on…. What happens when the Google monster gobbles up all that is left in the web world, is present on your cell phone, desktop, and even controls your health information? For all their product excellence, the threat of amassing this much data is too serious to ignore. Anyway, at Box.net, we’ll work to continue to build superior products and keep those mountain-viewers honest.To download the game in its entirety (including instructions, google shares, googleplex pieces, and more), visit here: http://www.box.net/shared/dguu2bfy88

Thanks to Phil, Box.net’s awesome designer, for putting this together.

With Box.net’s iPaper integration, you can run powerpoint presentations directly from your Box.net account!  Just right click any .PPT file in your Box, and click “Preview” - a new iPaper window will appear with your content.  A nifty way to hop on any computer without MS Office and launch into a meeting.

- Aaron

If you’ve been a long (long) time reader of this blog, you’ll remember our interest and excitement around what Writely was doing long before they were acquired by Google. We think the web still has significant untapped potential to be used as platform for collaboration and sharing- and Box.net is the perfect solution to help you manage the things you want to share.

As I mentioned late last week, Box.net is working on new functionality that enables you to create information directly on Box. I can’t give out too many details at this point because we’re still a ways away from releasing the product, but we want to work closely with a group of users to gain early feedback. If you’re curious about what we’re tentatively calling “Web Documents,” shoot an email to aaron@box.net and I’ll send over instructions on how to get started.
- Aaron

How do you use Box? We’re looking for cool and crazy stories on ways our customers use Box. Is your business powered by Box? What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever seen or shared on Box? Has Box ever saved your life at work or school?

If we choose your story to share, we’ll send you a free Box t-shirt.

Just email your most interesting experience to michele@Box.net.