Seagate's Dashboard application is a weak wristed attempt to extend the usefulness of the nice little GoFlex hard drive with four data-oriented applications by a third-party company called Memeo . Three of the applications offer basic functionality for free, or via a 30-day trial period, with fee-based rates kicking in if you want full use.

Beyond the Instant Backup tool, don't waste your time with any of this trial software.

Instant Backup is the only non-trial application bundled in with the Seagate GoFlex HDD and you get what you pay for. The application is a dead basic, one-click tool primarily for backing up the contents of the My Documents folders. The true aim of this software seems to be to persuade you to download, pay for and install the full versions of Memeo software products - our advice is to save your cash.

Here's what the Seagate Dashboard looks like; there's no information displayed here that isn't already freely available to you via Windows Explorer.

Instant Backup: (free but limited usefulness)

Memeo Instant Backup can perform a backup to any attached storage, but it only backs up documents, pictures, music, videos and general files. In other words, it backs up content, not the entire hard drive or operating system.

The not very advanced, Advanced Options allow you to drag and drop folders and disks into the cue to be backed up, or choose encryption. By default, Instant Backup covers the C:/ drive and email.

Memeo Sync:(30-day trial, $30 to purchase)

Memeo AutoSyn provides a range of file synchronization options and tools, such as syncing by file type regardless of what storage media the data is located on (local or network based). The program can keep track of file changes and sync them with master directories when the device is reattached to the computer.

Memeo Share:(share up to 1GB of photos free, monthly subscription thereafter)

Memeo Share is photo and video browsing/commenting/sharing application that allows you to share these types of files with users on the internet also running the same application. While it offers integrated tools for syndicating your photo's and video's to online social media websites as well, and between family and friends, the application is distinctive for distributing the actual original files - not links to downsized/optimized versions stored on a website.

Memeo Send:(free to 100MB, pay-per-use or subscription for larger file sizes)

Memeo Send is tool for sending large files in encrypted format over the internet in a manner analogous to an emaill attachment, except the file attachment is stored on the Memeo servers rather than bundled with the email itself. The recipient only receives a download url that allows them to collect the files, so the technique makes it possible to "send" files up to 100MB in size. Memeo Send adds a few other tools like download confirmations, return receipts and file tracking.... Receiving files is free, sending files up to 100MB is free, sending files larger than this requires a pay-per-use or monthly subscription.

Benchmarks and final thoughts on the Seagate FreeAgent GoFlex ultra-portable hard drive, are next.