aCabinet Library

aCabinet is a web/email platform for sharing a Google Drive file library. Managers upload files – up to 20 megs in size – and organize them by categories. Members (currently limited to 100 users) call off copies as email attachments using email commands. The platform runs asynchronously, which frees devices once commands have been sent. Files typically arrive within two minutes. Where the internet is slow or interrupted, aCabinet delivers files more efficiently than downloading from websites.

Members can receive and organize dozens of files on phones and laptops within fifteen minutes, readily searchable in seconds. aCabinet's lightweight structure means shareable libraries can be built and hosted by managers at far less cost than with similar websites. Members might be rural students or medical clinics in weak internet settings, but managers could be anywhere, including abroad, likely using a strong internet connection. In urban settings other groups - for example, tutored after-school classes – could use aCabinet. Managers' files are stored in Google Drive accounts and will be retained by them should they leave aCabinet.

*The "a" in aCabinet stands for "asynchronous" connectivity.

How It Works

aCabinet uses a central web-powered "cabinet" of files organized by ID, title and categories. Members interact with it via simple email commands and receive responses within 1–2 minutes.

No app. No login. Just email.

For Members: Example - students with weak internet

Explore and download course materials using simple email commands:

  • Fguide – Returns a guide explaining all available commands
  • Fdir – Full list of file material, organized by categories
  • Fchron – View recent additions
  • Fout – View outline of library by categories
  • Fcat/category,category,category – Filter files by up to three categories
  • Ftitle/text – Filter files by title text
  • Fcopy/101,82 – Retrieve files by ID number

Note—all commands have an "F" prefix. F, variously, stands for "file" or "filter".

For Managers

Manage access and support members with admin tools:

  • Upload files into the library, adding titles and categories.
  • Edit metadata (titles, categories) as needed.
  • Delete unwanted files from the library.
  • Grant library access through membership list.

Other Applications

aCabinet is ideal for NGOs, field teams, health professionals, and any environment where using email, backed by a lightweight Google Drive file library, is the most reliable option for sharing files. Further, aCabinet can be used, at little expense, to build and host a file library to share with others in high-speed internet locales.