Google Drive

Online Office

Google Drive (originally in Germany "Google Docs ", later " Google Docs" ) is a service offered by Google web application that provides a network file system for synchronizing files between different computers and Google users and at the same time online backup allows. In addition, it provides functionality for word processing, spreadsheet, creating slide shows, forms, and drawings available. Drive allows users to edit these documents with other users, and changes in real time are displayed with all parties involved. There are access programs for the operating systems Android, iOS, Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows. A client for Linux has not yet been officially confirmed by Google, but is planned.

History

At the beginning of the services Google Docs and Spreadsheets were developed separately until combined use Docs was released in October 2006. By February 2007, the site was only available in English. In the same month the service is also available for Google Apps. In February 2012, Google Docs was renamed Google Docs. The reason adding more features in 2011 was called, whereby the name Google Docs no longer were the case, as there is among other presentation features. On April 24, 2012 Docs has been extended to generic cloud storage capabilities and renamed for this reason in Drive. After early an Android app was released, Google Drive is available since June 2012 on mobile devices running iOS.

Functions

Google Drives Office functionality is not as extensive as office packages for local installation, for example, LibreOffice or Microsoft Office. It supports the basic functions.

In June 2007, the design of the home was changed to a two-column layout. Since then, it was possible to create folders. 2011 Google has updated the interface again. Since there is an information bar to the right of the document list and a slideshow view, if the filter for pictures.

All documents can be released in three stages, with or without editing right: either only certain Google users or all persons who possess a secret link or open to the web, so that search engines can capture the contents. Additionally, you can publish the document as a Web page so that the content can be viewed by more than the otherwise limited number of users simultaneously. For all types of documents, a complete version history is recorded. Also a chat bar can be inserted for ease of communication between the agents. Changes are automatically saved as you work.

The user, at the start five gigabytes of online storage for free. 2013 this was up to 15 Gigabyteerweitert by the common memory of the services Gmail, Google Drive and Google has been merged. Additional amounts of memory, up to 30 terabytes must be purchased. On Drive can be accessed from a Mac OS or Windows client. Google also published Drive apps for the Android and iOS operating systems, a Linux desktop client to follow.

Word processing

Notable features of word processing are a formula editor and discussions with e- mail notification. It is possible through an OCR function, based on the analysis of images and PDF files to create texts.

Slide Show

Presentations can consist of text, tables, drawings, pictures and videos. Playback is carried out directly in the browser, best in full screen mode.

Spreadsheet

This document type dominated formula processing, formatting, and sorting. It also allows the horizontal and vertical merging cells. Additionally, Excel, CSV and OpenDocument files can be imported and Excel, CSV, OpenDocument, PDF and HTML files are exported.

In April 2007, the chart function was introduced. As with other office suites, it has since also possible to fill cells in tables automatically.

Forms

Since February 2008, it was with "Google Docs - Forms " as part of the then " Google Docs " possible to create forms online and send links to online polls or surveys directly by e -mail. The recipient can fill out the form directly in the e- mail message or online on a Google page and send it back. With the collected answers created Google Drive automatically statistics that can be opened and edited in the Table Editor. For the answers different types can be specified: free-text, a multiple choice question, Ankreuzvorschläge, a scale or a position in a grid. For multiple choice questions, the result of surveys is shown in pie charts and with the number of votes and percentage values ​​of the responses.

Drawings

In a drawing various graphical and geometric elements as well as text and images can be arranged. Export formats include PNG, JPEG, SVG and PDF.

Interfaces

Google Drive provides interfaces for developers, which allows other applications can be connected to the service. For example, there is a so-called Save-to- drive- button, which allows the contents of a website can be backed up directly to Google Drive.

Controversy

In the first version of the German general terms and conditions of service, Google had the right to reuse the documents created by the user, while it was according to Google, a translation error. After some time, the relevant section of the Terms of completely replaced. He now emphasizes the copyright in the content of their own and clarifies the license terms for the provision of the service.

Use

The use of the encrypted page transmission via SSL and HTTPS is enabled by default. To use these services requires a Google Sign in with a Google Account, for which an email address and a password must be specified.

Google Drive supports several browsers because of technical restrictions do not, for example, due to insufficient support JavaScript. Officially supported last two current versions of Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari and Internet Explorer; Other browsers may work fine but depending on the specific use yet.

Shortly after the launch of Google Drive on 24 April 2012, the Chinese government blocked the use of the site for their citizens.