T103.9 - Google Drive
http://drive.google.com
When you setup a Google Account you get a Google Drive by default. You can access that drive from any browser, and you can download a desktop app that enables you to sync and back-up your data from a designated folder on your computer (similar to DropBox).
Googles ad for Google Drive can be found here -- https://www.google.com/drive/
Personally, I store all of your personal files in my Google Drive folder (data, video, photos, music, etc). So my folders designated by Microsoft for storing my data (My Documents, My Videos, My Music) are empty.
At this point with cloud drive technology, I would HIGHLY recommend this approach to data management. Any deviation from this can get very confusing and should only be done if you are very familiar with what you are doing and if you have other cloud backup services covering those folders.
At first glance it might look similar in function to DropBox. You can create folders and store files in the cloud like Drop Box, but once you understand the Google Apps (GDocs, GSheets, GSlides) you will realize the entire system is MUCH, MUCH more than Drop Box or anything else in existence.
Sections below:
When you setup a Google Account you get a Google Drive by default. You can access that drive from any browser, and you can download a desktop app that enables you to sync and back-up your data from a designated folder on your computer (similar to DropBox).
Googles ad for Google Drive can be found here -- https://www.google.com/drive/
Personally, I store all of your personal files in my Google Drive folder (data, video, photos, music, etc). So my folders designated by Microsoft for storing my data (My Documents, My Videos, My Music) are empty.
At this point with cloud drive technology, I would HIGHLY recommend this approach to data management. Any deviation from this can get very confusing and should only be done if you are very familiar with what you are doing and if you have other cloud backup services covering those folders.
At first glance it might look similar in function to DropBox. You can create folders and store files in the cloud like Drop Box, but once you understand the Google Apps (GDocs, GSheets, GSlides) you will realize the entire system is MUCH, MUCH more than Drop Box or anything else in existence.
Sections below:
- Accessing Google Drive from a browser
- Google Office Suite Applications
- Installing Google Drive Desktop App on Local Machine**
- Chrome the Browser -- A Software Platform
1) Accessing Google Drive from a Browser
To access your drive, type drive.google.com into any web browser (chrome shown)
2) Google Office Suite Applications
Google Drive offers MUCH MUCH MORE than Dropbox or any other cloud drive service due to the Cloud Based Software Applications intrinsic to Google Drive.
When you click NEW ( a blue or red button depending on your setup) a menu comes up for new folder, file upload, folder upload and other stuff...
When you click NEW ( a blue or red button depending on your setup) a menu comes up for new folder, file upload, folder upload and other stuff...
Built into Google Drive are Cloud based (Browser based) Sotware Applications which rival Microsoft Office products
Other Applications shown on the more menu include:
- Google Docs (aka GDocs) rival Microsoft Word docs with an editor that looks like and older and simpler MS Word interface
- Google Sheets (aka GSheets) rivals Microsoft Excel spreadsheets with an interface that looks like an older and simpler version of MS Excel
- Google Slides (aka Gslides) rivals Microsoft Powerpoint presentations with an interface that looks like and older and simpler version of Powerpoint.
Other Applications shown on the more menu include:
- Google Forms
- Google Drawings
- Google My Maps
- Drive Notepad
- Google Apps Script
- Pixlr Editor
- Ultradoc
- Zip Extractor
- ability to connect others..
3) Install Google Drive Desktop App on local machine
10/18/2017 --- Google Drive desktop App Deprecating as of march 2018... Being replaced by google backup and sync -- which is really just a rebranding of this app with a few more settings that give a little more control over the functionality -- and seemingly one of those settings may include specifying a fold for synching photos with google phots -- which is not part of this at this time...
but wait, theres more!!
In addition to the rebranding of Google Drive to Google Backup and Sync, there is then an upgraded version of the new back up and synch called 'google file stream" which seemingly has all the functionality of backup and synch PLUS the functionality for syncing TEAM DRIVE -- a separate folder/drive that can only be implemented by those with GSuite accounts/entities --- naming this Back up and Synch w. Team Drive option or Backup and Sync version A and Back up and Synch version B may have made things easier for us to understand, but oh well
(and I'm truly not sure I even have the understanding right on google file stream and the difference yet -- so stay tuned..)
See T103.9a for more on the new services for pack u
but wait, theres more!!
In addition to the rebranding of Google Drive to Google Backup and Sync, there is then an upgraded version of the new back up and synch called 'google file stream" which seemingly has all the functionality of backup and synch PLUS the functionality for syncing TEAM DRIVE -- a separate folder/drive that can only be implemented by those with GSuite accounts/entities --- naming this Back up and Synch w. Team Drive option or Backup and Sync version A and Back up and Synch version B may have made things easier for us to understand, but oh well
(and I'm truly not sure I even have the understanding right on google file stream and the difference yet -- so stay tuned..)
See T103.9a for more on the new services for pack u
Google drive Desktop App syncs your data with the cloud just like Drop Box. One might think it would/could be called Google Sync, but Google Sync actually is a very specific term that applies to syncing your mail, calendars and contacts with Microsoft server products. Thus, don't use Google Sync when referring to the Google Drive Desktop App or the concept of synching your data files with your google drive, or you may run into confusion.
Search for "install google drive" -- it should be the first option...
Download and install... do NOT configure for "offline editing" -- not needed and frankly, I can't figure out if it does anything...
The offline editing thing makes no sense at all -- as you can't offline edit google docs by default because you don't have the cloud based software on your local machine to edit them to start with -- it is very bad syntax and I've yet to cognitively understand why they are always talking about this..
10/18/2017 -- Spoke with google Support. Asked if I had been missing something about offline editing. I had not. What they are referring to as offline editing from their perspective is what we refer to as "using our computer". As in, I can use word, excel and such with no internet connection and when back online my files will synch up (as would be expected)... So given this, I still have no clue really who or what the offline editing option really is -- other than maybe a pie in the sky feature that was envisioned years ago that was ruled out but they've yet to remove it from the docs? I dunno...
Download and install... do NOT configure for "offline editing" -- not needed and frankly, I can't figure out if it does anything...
The offline editing thing makes no sense at all -- as you can't offline edit google docs by default because you don't have the cloud based software on your local machine to edit them to start with -- it is very bad syntax and I've yet to cognitively understand why they are always talking about this..
10/18/2017 -- Spoke with google Support. Asked if I had been missing something about offline editing. I had not. What they are referring to as offline editing from their perspective is what we refer to as "using our computer". As in, I can use word, excel and such with no internet connection and when back online my files will synch up (as would be expected)... So given this, I still have no clue really who or what the offline editing option really is -- other than maybe a pie in the sky feature that was envisioned years ago that was ruled out but they've yet to remove it from the docs? I dunno...
Google Drive will show up as a Folder in your personal Directory.
It will be a peer to folders such as "My Documents", "My Music", "My Pictures". In this regard it acts just like dropbox or OneDrive.
If you follow my lead, you will no longer use any of those peer type folders like "My Documents", "My Music", "My Pictures", etc. You will store all that info as sub-folders of the Google Drive folder.
It will be a peer to folders such as "My Documents", "My Music", "My Pictures". In this regard it acts just like dropbox or OneDrive.
If you follow my lead, you will no longer use any of those peer type folders like "My Documents", "My Music", "My Pictures", etc. You will store all that info as sub-folders of the Google Drive folder.
When Google Drive is running, you should/will see the drive icon in the tray. (see red arrow).
It should be illuminated. If it is not illuminated, it is hiccuping...
Google Drive can be a little finicky. If the icon is not illuminated, right click on the icon, select exit drive and restart it.
To restart it, go to your windows start button (bottom left corner), type "google drive" and then double click the Google Drive option presented to re-start.
It should be illuminated. If it is not illuminated, it is hiccuping...
Google Drive can be a little finicky. If the icon is not illuminated, right click on the icon, select exit drive and restart it.
To restart it, go to your windows start button (bottom left corner), type "google drive" and then double click the Google Drive option presented to re-start.