Understanding Google Drive

What is Google Drive and what is it good for? Well many of you may remember when Google Drive was simply called Google Docs, which was a bit of a misnomer, because it is so much more than just docs.  Google drive can store and sync your files (with GAFE we have unlimited storage), but it is also where you can create a doc, spreadsheet, slideshow, survey (Google form), or drawing. The collaborative nature of these tools is why we would choose to create our documents or projects here.

It is important to understand there are 3 platforms for Google Drive. They are:
Google Drive on the web
Google Drive on your computer
Google Drive on your mobile devices

1. Google Drive on the Web, can be accessed through the Google Apps grid from your account, as seen here:

Your Google Drive on the web will look something like this (this one is in list-view):

2. Google Drive on your computer looks a little different. First it needs to be installed locally. Find Google Drive in Launchpad and double-click on the icon. Follow the instructions to install. You will notice a new folder will appear in your Finder window, called Google Drive and looks just like your Documents folder. Files placed here are saved on your hard drive.

You will also notice a small icon up on your menu bar, at the top of your computer, if you are on a Mac (or at the lower right of your screen, on the taskbar, if you are on a PC). This small icon will pulse when you are syncing files. This means, when you save a file to your Google Drive on your computer, it will mirror it or sync with your Google Drive on the web. In this way, Google is backing up your files. If something happens to your computer, you can retrieve all your data from Google Drive on the web. It also means, when you don't have your computer with you, you can also access your files on the web.

3. Google Drive on Mobile devices allows you to access your files on the go. On your Android or iOS device, install the Google Drive app and you can:

– View and share your files

– Upload new files directly from your phone

– Scan documents using the camera on your phone

– Access your files even when you are not connected to the internet

All three platforms work together, to make sure your data is available to you when you need it. From any of the Google Drives you can share files with colleagues or students. All files, MS Office, PDF's, images, video, --- can be saved in Google Drive, but there are also highly collaborative tools, like Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides, which can be created directly in your Drive on the web. These tools allow for as many as 50 collaborators at a time. As the owner of the document (or sheet, or presentation) you decide who can edit and who can only view. All changes to the document are saved automatically, and a Revision History is available if you need to revert back to an earlier version, or to simply monitor who has added what.

So, Google Drive is the place to house all your files, Google or otherwise. 

If you have always backed up your data on an external drive, please continue to do so. It is always a good idea to back up in two places.