Google Drive

OIT has enabled the Google Drive service as part of UCI Google Apps.

Google Drive is an optional extension to Google Docs.  Google Docs allows on-line (“cloud”) creation, storage, sharing, and collaborative editing of documents through your web browser. Google Drive adds the ability for files and folders on your computer to be backed up “in the cloud,” shared with others, and synchronized/copied on other computers and devices you own.

Here are some of the changes you will experience if you choose to enable Google Drive:

New View

Google Drive now presents your collections as folders, and offers a new “grid” view where your documents appear as thumbprints.  You can use your account settings to return to the classic Google Docs view when needed.

More Document Types

Google Drive allows direct display of a wider range of file types, including video, Adobe Photoshop, and many others.

Better Search

Google Drive allows more flexible searches of the content of your documents, including finding text in PDF files.

File History

Google Drive saves all versions of an edited document for up to 30 days, and allows you to designate any version to be kept permanently

Google Drive App

If you wish, you can download and install a Google Drive app onto any supported computer or smart phone.  This will allow you to conveniently access the files in your Google Drive account, with a synchronized view from any computer or device.  The PC app, for example, creates a virtual folder allowing Windows Explorer functionality, including drag-and-drop, for your Google Drive files.

Google Drive offers 5Gb of free file storage.  Native Google Docs documents (created and stored in the cloud) do not count as part of this limit, which applies only to files from your computer which you backup and share via Google Drive.

At present, Google Drive supports PC, Mac, and Android devices, with support for iPhone and iPad coming soon.

If you want to try Google Drive, you can follow the prompts from your UCI Google Docs page, or call the OIT Help Desk for assistance.