Ok so I know that google has been around since what seems like forever, but since multiple people have claimed they would give GrubHub a chance because of my last blog post, I decided to give one of my other favorite web 2.0 technologies Google Drive a little plug. Some of you may have heard of Google Drive but may not have realized its full potential. Google Drive allows to you to store files, documents, photos, videos, etc. and choose if/who you want to share them with. Without downloading any sort of program (unless you are adding the app to your phone) you can create, edit and share documents, spreadsheets, power points, etc. from any computer, tablet, or smart phone.
I first started using Google drive in May of 2012, just about a month after it had launched. I had just became the Power of Attorney for my diabetic, double amputee, grandma (who also had dementia) and wanted a way to log daily activity with doctors and her 24 hour caregivers. Caregivers were asked to create a daily log and post it on Google Drive at the end of their shift. This allowed the next caregiver to log in and see any important information logged in the previous shift(s) before them. This also allowed me and my family to check in on my grandma by reading the messages via Google Drive. The more I used Google Drive, the more helpful I realized it could be. I began storing important paperwork, photos (I was in a battle with the dr.'s over my grandma's 3rd amputation), and recordings between me and the doctors. I could go on and on.
I also have been using google drive to create a budget for me and my wife. I used a template already created in excel and just filled in our numbers. The thing I love about this is that I can use it on my phone. Edit then whenever and wherever I want. She can also make adjustments, as I have shared the document with her. Someone in one of my other classes mentioned writing a paper and then losing it all in a second because his computer crashed. This is one of the best things about Google Drive, just like Blogger is currently doing as I type, it saves the document that is being worked on about every 10 seconds! This really could be a lifesaver. As much as I use Google Drive, I think it could be even more beneficial to small businesses. It is a great way to store, share, access, and create ideas.
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2012/04/introducing-google-drive-yes-really.html
Check it out, google says it better ;)
Christy:
ReplyDeleteAnother great technology. Thanks for the information. What a wonderfully innovative use that I'm sure provided much peace of mind for you and your family. I'll definitely check it out
Hi christy,
ReplyDeleteGoogle Drive is definitely a great cloud storage technology probably one of the best out there since you can use a word processor, excel, power point. Many people don't realize just how effective it can be for organization in a office or business. Having access to your information and files with a click of a button on your smartphone or computer can really make things easier for people and save time going through different files and transferring them.
I LOVE Google Drive. It is so helpful when it comes to group projects so that way everybody can edit it and work on it. It makes life so much easier. I also save my papers on the Drive so I don't have to worry about carrying around a USB or forgetting to email myself the paper.
ReplyDeleteI have to say that the format is not the best. Compared to Microsoft Office on my laptop, it doesn't run as smoothly and it is a little bit tougher to navigate.
Other than that, I am still a huge fan and recommend that everybody use it. Google does everything better. I especially love Gmail. If you don't use it, switch over now! I did it 6 months ago and it was the best decision I have ever made (regarding my email, that is).
I wasn't aware of Google Drive, so thank you for the post. It can be used in connection to other cloud like services like Microsoft's SkyDrive and Dropbox. By using as many of these solutions as possible, they serve also as a backup redundancy in addition to anywhere anytime access.
ReplyDeleteChristy this is really cool. I never heard of it even though it has been out. I battled docs, etc for my Mom a few years back so I know how it goes. I wish I had something like this. I was writing up so much. This probably helped so much to keep track and have a log of some sort. I am going to using this myself.
ReplyDeleteCool share.
Thanks for sharing this, Christy! I love Google Drive - especially since it's free. I used it to share an excel listing of all our music with my choir (before I built a database for it with webaccess). I've also had other folks share docs with me. Before our work security systems blocked access, I also used to copy all my personal things on my workstation there in case my number came up during all the rounds of lay offs.
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Like Judi mentioned, I've used this at work for group projects. It was a great way to connect people in all of our offices (Portland, Boston and Chicago) without the back and forth of email.
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