Google Drive - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

JamesK · 2012-04-30, 04:37 PM

I've recently been trying Google Drive. This is "cloud storage" available to anyone and 5 GB of space is free. It's similar to Dropbox, where you can share files with others. When you install the software, it creates a folder on your desktop, but you can also access it with a browser. You also use a browser to set up shares. You can even set permissions on what others are allowed to do. The software is available for PCs and Android phones.

bobmac · 2012-04-30, 06:24 PM

Just an FYI that the software is available for Mac and iPhone also.

Bob

hugh · 2012-05-01, 07:38 AM

I tried signing up last week after all the fanfare and but it was NOT available for me. Still waiting.

Edit: Just checked and now can get it ! I see my Google Docs are in my Google Drive so is this really anything new or is it the syncing aspect that is new?

JamesK · 2012-05-01, 07:51 AM

^^^^
For some reason, it takes a couple of days to get your account set up for it. I requested it on Saturday and received an email yesterday advising it was available. I don't know how it compares with Docs, as I didn't use that feature with it. The reason I looked into Drive was because a friend was looking for an easy way to share family pictures and videos with his mother. It seems to do the trick.

hugh · 2012-05-01, 08:16 AM

FYI, Skydrive is now offering 25GB of storage, don't know for how long. I have both and plan on using them for online storage

Jake · 2012-05-01, 09:08 AM

I read that after Google Drive MS quickly dropped their storage capacity. This is for new registrations. I use Google docs but I think I will try Drive.

NineBall · 2012-05-01, 09:42 AM

The SkyDrive 25GB offer is only for previous SkyDrive users. I had a couple files on there so I was able to "upgrade" to 25GB but my wife and son had not used it before so they didn't get the offer and had their accounts reduced to 7GB. Some people have said simply having an old Windows Live/Hotmail account will be enough but it is not. Apparently if you ran the Windows 8 previews and linked your account you will get the offer as well even if you did not specifically use SkyDrive yourself.

ScaryBob · 2012-05-01, 10:26 AM

Quote:

I see my Google Docs are in my Google Drive so is this really anything new

According to an article I read, Google Docs are included in Drive. Google Docs are being discontinued as a separate product.

For anyone concerned about privacy issues, anything stored on Google Drive may be scanned by Google. The results may be used to target individuals for ads or used for other revenue generating purposes. When combined with information from other services, that are also scanned, Google could know more about you than your partner.

Coop · 2012-05-01, 10:55 AM

After what happened to Mega I would think they are all scanning your files regardless of what they say.

Wayne · 2012-05-01, 10:56 AM

Are there any limitations on file size? In the past I have tried to use similar services to transfer a video file from my home PC to the cloud but it didn't allow large file sizes (I think the limit was something like 250MB) to be uploaded.

redzone · 2012-05-01, 11:24 AM

file limit size is unlimited as far as i remember

Wayne · 2012-05-01, 11:29 AM

Thanks - I found this info as well:

Quote:

Also notable in that change is that Microsoft raised the size limit per file from just 50MB to 2GB, which is great for uploading video. But Microsoft still compresses media files copied over to SkyDrive, so they won’t be of original size and quality, which is not the case with Google Drive or Dropbox.

I wonder how MS knows that it is a media file and will it compress media files stored in ZIPs or other containers?

Coop · 2012-05-01, 01:35 PM

Drive has limited the file size to 10GB of course you'll have to pay to use it.

NeilN · 2012-05-01, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne

Thanks - I found this info as well:
I wonder how MS knows that it is a media file and will it compress media files stored in ZIPs or other containers?

Seriously? How is that any use for backups then? I expect any files stored in the cloud to be bit-identical to what I have on my hard drive.

TorontoColin · 2012-05-01, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScaryBob

According to an article I read, Google Docs are included in Drive. Google Docs are being discontinued as a separate product.

Sort of. Docs still exist, just as they did before, they're just being stored in your Google Drive.

I believe Microsoft also scans your files for their purposes.

2012-04-30, 04:37 PM	#1
JamesK Veteran Join Date: May 2009 Location: Mississauga Posts: 5,089	Google Drive I've recently been trying Google Drive. This is "cloud storage" available to anyone and 5 GB of space is free. It's similar to Dropbox, where you can share files with others. When you install the software, it creates a folder on your desktop, but you can also access it with a browser. You also use a browser to set up shares. You can even set permissions on what others are allowed to do. The software is available for PCs and Android phones.

2012-05-01, 07:38 AM	#3
hugh Member #1 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Toronto Posts: 47,501	I tried signing up last week after all the fanfare and but it was NOT available for me. Still waiting. Edit: Just checked and now can get it ! I see my Google Docs are in my Google Drive so is this really anything new or is it the syncing aspect that is new? __________________ As of January 2012, I am no longer the owner of the Digital Home website. If you have questions about the operation of the site, please contact VSAdmin. For personal inquiries contact me at the Hugh Thompson website.

2012-05-01, 08:16 AM	#5
hugh Member #1 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Toronto Posts: 47,501	FYI, Skydrive is now offering 25GB of storage, don't know for how long. I have both and plan on using them for online storage __________________ As of January 2012, I am no longer the owner of the Digital Home website. If you have questions about the operation of the site, please contact VSAdmin. For personal inquiries contact me at the Hugh Thompson website.

2012-05-01, 09:08 AM	#6
Jake Moderator Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Gatineau and Ottawa Posts: 10,240	I read that after Google Drive MS quickly dropped their storage capacity. This is for new registrations. I use Google docs but I think I will try Drive. __________________ Tip: See an offending post? Don't reply, report it by clicking on the 'Report Post' icon.

2012-05-01, 10:55 AM	#9
Coop Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Calgary, Bell Posts: 828	After what happened to Mega I would think they are all scanning your files regardless of what they say. __________________ Pioneer PDP-6020FD, Denon 3808CI, OPPO BDP-83, HB HTPC, HP MSS, Mirage FRx 7, S10 Sub

2012-04-30, 06:24 PM	#2
bobmac Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Memramcook, NB Posts: 125	Just an FYI that the software is available for Mac and iPhone also. Bob

2012-05-01, 07:51 AM	#4
JamesK Veteran Join Date: May 2009 Location: Mississauga Posts: 5,089	^^^^ For some reason, it takes a couple of days to get your account set up for it. I requested it on Saturday and received an email yesterday advising it was available. I don't know how it compares with Docs, as I didn't use that feature with it. The reason I looked into Drive was because a friend was looking for an easy way to share family pictures and videos with his mother. It seems to do the trick.

2012-05-01, 09:42 AM	#7
NineBall Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Whitby, ON Posts: 255	The SkyDrive 25GB offer is only for previous SkyDrive users. I had a couple files on there so I was able to "upgrade" to 25GB but my wife and son had not used it before so they didn't get the offer and had their accounts reduced to 7GB. Some people have said simply having an old Windows Live/Hotmail account will be enough but it is not. Apparently if you ran the Windows 8 previews and linked your account you will get the offer as well even if you did not specifically use SkyDrive yourself.

2012-05-01, 10:56 AM	#10
Wayne Veteran Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Scarboro Posts: 5,578	Are there any limitations on file size? In the past I have tried to use similar services to transfer a video file from my home PC to the cloud but it didn't allow large file sizes (I think the limit was something like 250MB) to be uploaded.

2012-05-01, 11:24 AM	#11
redzone Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,057	file limit size is unlimited as far as i remember

2012-05-01, 01:35 PM	#13
Coop Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Calgary, Bell Posts: 828	Drive has limited the file size to 10GB of course you'll have to pay to use it. __________________ Pioneer PDP-6020FD, Denon 3808CI, OPPO BDP-83, HB HTPC, HP MSS, Mirage FRx 7, S10 Sub

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