http://www.spideroak.com is nice but unfortunately they started to implement some file sharing features so they stopped offering true client-side encryption as well. At least they are way more secure than DropBox. Another one: https://secure.cloudsafe.com/

1) "Second: the security economics of mail drastically favor Google over anything you come up with, even if you're really good. That's because the cost of a sitewide compromise at Google is stratospheric."

This cannot be a serious answer: Some chinese already compromised Google a few months go - they stole the "Gaia" source code. Gaia is the single-sign-on solution for all Google services! Just because they are not unsing it on a big scale you can be sure there are people using exploits found from the source code to log into Google accounts.

2) "People who care about mail security but don't trust Google just VPN to a private mail server."

A VPN in general can be considered secure. If configured properly. Same for a mail server and for the network behind the VPN. In general: I would recommend a secure file sharing environment focussed on security & encryption. And no, that´s not Dropbox or box.net.

There is no better solution than GnuPG/PGP client encryption. Or at least partially secured file sharing offers like datainherit.com or cloudsafe.com

You think I trust "DSwiss.com", the "Swiss bank for information assets", founded in 2006, more than I trust the largest technology company in the world --- and presumably one of the top 10 spenders on software security worldwide?

Sorry, no, I don't. Maybe you can name one person I'd have heard of who has assessed any piece of their source code?

Dropbox is not secure! They have access to all your data. Read the Dropbox forum and you will find that information.

So - Dropbox should not be used for any important files. But for everything else it should be ok.

Even worse: Your files readable to support staff from Dropbox. Do you trust them that much? I would recommend encrypted backups.

Cut these bloody referal links.

And I would -not- recommend DropBox for critical backup files. First, they can read all content. Second, they got some problems with large folders or system directories.

Come on - at least you could say you are the developer. Otherwise thats not fair. (BTW We use tarsnap as a server offsite backup.)

Hey Nicolo, change your about page please, if you really want this to succeed:

"Nic is the CEO and business guy at Taskforce." "Alex is a serial entrepreneur and developer."

Alex left.

Now what? Your first line of introduction makes you (a) CEO and (b) business guy. Hmm... your whole R&D and tech department just left.

Thanks. I'll get on that.

Even if you work alone - make sure you keep touch with your friends. And make sure you get a network of business contacts to talk to, people from your part of the tech world.

It´s not only important to keep morale up, it´s also important to get other people's feedback early stage!

Use 1password (1password.com) - and keep an online copy of your 1password password file at cloudsafe.com