500gb:What format for Mac and Windows?

Horus

I know the answer is Fat32 but the problem is this drive is for work. I deal with files sometimes that are 10gb large. I can do NTFS but that limits my Mac side and FAT32 is itself limiting. HSF+(Mac) is cool but I need to install programs on Windows (MacDrive) which my work computer won't let me. Basically I want to get some ideas to make easy transition between mac and windows. I am able to run programs from a usb drive for Mac.

Reason this is urgent is I am going to loose my job it can be this week or in 3 months, so I want to be ready to back up all my files from either windows and Mac easily.

Thank you

tl;dr best solution for external for work mac and pc computers without installing since IT puts a shield up.

ps
I tried MacFuse but that requires installation in the system folders

pss
How about FAT32 and using some zip program to break up large files into smaller incremental zip files, using 7zX application for Mac?

Sir Headless VII

I don't know how much data you want to backup but is web storage a feasible option for you? I would think you could get web storage that can be accessed from a mac or pc.

Spam

Hmm, probably not the best option, but you could go with FAT32, and use a command line based archive program like winrar or 7z (free) to split your large files into smaller ones (set them to archive at zero compression and span over multiple archives) that will copy over ok. You can run the archive program straight from the exe off your removable hard drive, so there is no need to even download them onto your work PC.

I've tried using NTFS patches for Mac OS IX/X before, and never really had much luck with them, and they all require a fair bit of faffing about installing shit.

Spam

Oh, completely missed your edit to the post there - yeah try splitting the files using 7zX

Wulf

Also, I would check your employment agreement to see what it says about things you created on company time/machines. That is assuming that you are talking about taking your own work with you. We had someone who had been developing diets for us try to take all his information and delete the originals. I was displeased when I found him hunched over a thumb drive, he didn't get the files, nor did he get his final paycheck for breaking his signed agreement. Depending on your situation, make sure you aren't doing anything that you aren't allowed to by your contract.

Jake!

Horus wrote: »

I know the answer is Fat32 but the problem is this drive is for work. I deal with files sometimes that are 10gb large. I can do NTFS but that limits my Mac side and FAT32 is itself limiting. HSF+(Mac) is cool but I need to install programs on Windows (MacDrive) which my work computer won't let me. Basically I want to get some ideas to make easy transition between mac and windows. I am able to run programs from a usb drive for Mac.

Reason this is urgent is I am going to loose my job it can be this week or in 3 months, so I want to be ready to back up all my files from either windows and Mac easily.

Thank you

tl;dr best solution for external for work mac and pc computers without installing since IT puts a shield up.

ps
I tried MacFuse but that requires installation in the system folders

pss
How about FAT32 and using some zip program to break up large files into smaller incremental zip files, using 7zX application for Mac?

I don't know if this would work, but;

http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Utilities/Disk_Analysis_Utilities/Paragon_NTFS_for_Mac_OS_X.html

supabeast

In the past I have used HFS+ and installed Macdrive on the Windows machine. Sort of the reverse of what Jake! just recommended, but either way should work.

JHunz

Wulf wrote: »

Also, I would check your employment agreement to see what it says about things you created on company time/machines. That is assuming that you are talking about taking your own work with you. We had someone who had been developing diets for us try to take all his information and delete the originals. I was displeased when I found him hunched over a thumb drive, he didn't get the files, nor did he get his final paycheck for breaking his signed agreement. Depending on your situation, make sure you aren't doing anything that you aren't allowed to by your contract.

Agreed. If they give you your notice and then find you plugging in an external hard drive, you are going to be in deep shit. You don't want to walk out on your last day with a court date scheduled.

Horus

Thank you everyone for the advice. I talked to my coworkers and they where given the go ahead to just grab end result files (pdf, jpgs) for portfolio pieces but not PSD files. Plus I have my own Photoshop files I created I want to keep and research materials I saved.

peil

500Gb drive, go ahead with FAT32 - but you'll need to lay hands on Partition Magic or something like that to create a FAT32 partition that large.

Also, if your copying work related docs, make sure they aren't logging activity via USB ports and enfording encryption (Pointsec as an example, my place uses it and they can tell what we transferred and when)