Cloud Storage for StudentsSiobhan McCarthyReference & Instruction Librarian

siobhanmccarthy.comLast updated 11/11/13

What is “Cloud Storage”?“A file hosting service, cloud storage service, online file storage provider, or cyberlocker is[a] service specifically designed to host user files. It allows users to upload files that could then be accessed over the internet from a different computer, tablet, smart phone or other networked device, by the same user or possibly by other users, after a password or other authentication is provided.”

File hosting service. (2013, August 14). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 19:40, September 17, 2013, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File_hosting_service&oldid=568434611

Advantages of Cloud Storage Convenience

Ability to access files from any computer connected to the Internet

Security Password required for sign-in No flash drives to lose File will not be left on the local machine

Currency Always working with the most current version

of a document

Advantages of Cloud Storage Auto-saving

File will auto-save to the Internet, and not be lost in case of power outage or accidental disconnect

Collaboration Ability to share access to document, and

allow multiple people to edit it at once Cost

Free** In exchange for agreeing to the Terms of Service agreement

Most Popular Cloud Services Dropbox SkyDrive (Microsoft) gDrive (Google)

Also… Box.com Zoho.com

Microsoft’s SkyDrive 7GB free storage Accessible to anyone with a Hotmail, Live, or

Outlook.com account Desktop client available for Mac and PC

Automatically syncs documents saved in the folder to the Internet

Easily sync between multiple computers Can create and edit documents through web

interface in .docx format http://skydrive.microsoft.com/

Google’s gDrive 15GB of free storage (across all Google services) Accessible to anyone with an existing Google or Gmail

account Automatically save e-mail attachments from Gmail Desktop client available for Mac and PC

Automatically syncs documents saved in the folder to the Internet

Easily sync between multiple computers Create and edit documents through web interface Files are created in the proprietary Google format, but

can be saved/exported as .docx, .odt, or .pdf http://drive.google.com/

Dropbox 2GB free storage (additional storage available) Desktop client available for Mac, PC and mobile devices

Automatically syncs documents saved in the folder to the Internet

Easily sync between multiple computers Portable version available that can run on flash drives,

backing up files to the Internet Easily share folders with other users Disadvantage: No web interface available for file

editing http://www.dropbox.com/

Box 10GB free storage Desktop and mobile clients available for syncing files

between multiple devices Ability to login with a Google account Web interface for text editing Easily share files or folders with other users Disadvantages:

Integrating Microsoft Word documents requires additional plugins to be installed

Web-based documents require copying and pasting into a local document

http://www.box.com/

Zoho 5GB of free storage Full suite of productivity applications, including e-

mail, documents, calendars, etc. Ability to log-in using Google, Yahoo, or Facebook

accounts Geared toward business users Disadvantages:

No desktop client for syncing, web-based only Not as well known as others, may be more difficult to

collaborate on files http://www.zoho.com/

In Summary Students may already have access to cloud storage

accounts through Google or Microsoft, but are not aware of the additional services these accounts are eligible for

Fewer opportunities for compatibility issues to arise Example: Using a Mac-based software program at

home, but only able to access PC-based programs at school

Accessible to anyone Accounts are free and accessible to anyone with an

internet connection. No additional software to purchase.

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