The document discusses the advantages of using Google Drive over local file storage. Google Drive allows files to be accessed and edited from any device through a web browser or mobile apps. It is well-suited for file archives, sharing, and real-time collaboration on documents. Key benefits include simultaneous editing of shared documents, easy commenting and feedback, templating documents for multiple users, access to up-to-date files even when others are unavailable, compatibility with multiple devices, and powerful search of files.

1. Google Drive
Ne’er Fear The Cloud
https://drive.google.com/
Matt Cornock
Department of Social Policy and Social Work

2. Files vs Google Docs: Files
Photo (cc-by) Matt Cornock
Files (Word, PPT, PDF) need downloading
before editing and re-uploading after
editing. Use Google Drive sync on your PC
or Mac to do it automatically.

3. Files vs Google Docs: Google Docs
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Google Docs exist ‘in the cloud’ and are
edited in a web browser.

4. Reasons: Archive space
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It’s easier to put frequently used files on
a network drive. Google Drive is suited
for archives, sharing and collaboration.

5. Reasons: It’s not email
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Email attachments can lead to bad
version control. Google Drive can be used
to host normal files too (Word, PPT, PDF).

6. Reasons: Collaboration
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Collaborating on a single copy of a Google
Doc can take place simultaneously.

7. Reasons: Commenting
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Share a Google Doc for commenting and
feedback is collated in a single place.

8. Reasons: Templating
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Tutor shares a template, template copied
by students in Google Docs, students
share to friends, to tutor or to the world.

9. Reasons: Colleague independency
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Sharing essential documents provides
access to the definitive version even
when the keeper is otherwise indisposed.

10. Reasons: Multiple devices
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Access through any web browser and
Google Drive apps for many devices.

11. Reasons: Searchability
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Super-speedy searching within Google
Docs, PDFs, Word docs and PowerPoints.
Makes archiving journal articles a doddle.