In order to use Google Drive, you must have Google account. . It's free to create a Google account, and registration is quite simple. In order to create Google account, you need to enter some information such as name, date and place of birth. Creation account Google will automatically create the address Email Gmail and Google+ profile.

If you have Gmail, then you already have a Google account and you don’t need to register - you can just log in using your Gmail username and password. If not, then create your Google account using.

Access to Google Drive cloud

Once you have created your Google account, you can access Google Drive by going to http://drive.google.com in your browser.

You can also go to Google Drive from any Google pages(for example Gmail or Google search), by clicking the grid icon in the top right corner, and then selecting Drive.

Google Drive interface

Perhaps yours Google Drive V currently is empty, but once you start uploading and creating files you should know how to view, manage, and organize them in the interface.

In the image below, the Google Cloud interface elements are marked, and immediately below the image there are their descriptions.

1. Click the Create button to create new document, spreadsheet, presentation, or other Google Doc. New file will be saved to Google Drive automatically.

You can also use this button to create new folders and upload files from your computer.

2. By default, My disk will be selected in the left menu, where all your files are stored. You can also view your flagged files, recent files, or deleted files.

3. Search bar allows you to search certain files in Google cloud. Whenever you enter a search term, Google Drive will automatically display the names of the files that match the search.

You can also run an advanced search, which allows you to filter files by type.

4. B viewing areas all files are displayed. You can see who owns a particular file, which files are shared, and when the files were last modified.

To open a file, simply select it and double-click on it.

5. If you select a file, file operation buttons will appear. They allow you to quickly share files, preview or delete.

6. By default, files are sorted by date last change. Click here to reorganize files by size, name, or edit history.

Google Drive for mobile devices

Google Cloud Drive available for systems iOS And Android as a mobile application that makes it easy to view and upload files to the cloud using your mobile device.

Google recently introduced standalone mobile apps for creating and editing documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. To learn more, visit Google's New Blog mobile applications for documents, sheets and slides.

If you prefer to work on a desktop, you can download the Google Drive desktop app to your computer. It is available for Windows and OS X, this application makes it easy to download existing files and work offline. Once you install it you will see new folder Google Drive on your computer. Any files you move to this folder will be automatically uploaded to your Google Drive.

Technological progress does not stand still. One technology, which becomes impractical over time, goes away and is replaced by another, more advanced one. A clear example of this is the evolution of data storage methods. If previously CDs and DVDs, then that's it now more people prefers to store information on flash drives, which are more compact in size and can hold much more information, and also support multiple rewrites.

There is also a more advanced technology that has not yet gained popularity among the masses, but has serious prospects - cloud information storage services.

Any user who has created an account in such a service can upload his files to the server and access them from any computer or other supported device (tablet, smartphone, etc.) on which he logs into his account. Agree, it’s very practical: you can save time and money. There is only one drawback - you must have access to the Internet. Lack of connection will prevent you from accessing the downloaded information. Fortunately, almost everyone now has access to the Internet.

Comparison of cloud storage services: Dropbox, Google Drive, Cloud Mail, MediaFire, Yandex Disk, Microsoft OneDrive, Copy Com, Apple iCloud

This article will compare nine popular services cloud storage data that will be assessed according to the three most important parameters for users: the size of the workspace, safety of use and functionality. So let's get started.

Size of space provided

For those users who work with large files,Disk space size is a fundamental criterion. If a service cannot provide the necessary space, it will not be worthwhile for them to use it.

Dropbox, which at one time was one of the founders cloud technologies, now we can confidently call it an outsider, which cannot compete with other participants in the comparison in terms of disk space. Only 2 gigabytes upon registration, one gigabyte for completing a simple task and 13 gigabytes for attracting users through the referral program (500 megabytes per user who registered and installed the client).
Google Drive did not show itself to be particularly generous, providing only 15 gigabytes of server space for free. And considering that the same space is used to store documents Google Docs and email, users will have to be content with little. You can increase your storage size by purchasing a subscription. For example, now 100 GB costs $2, 1 TB costs $10. The maximum you can get is several tens of terabytes (I wonder who might need that many).

Mail.ru cloud – no matter what they say about Mail.ru cloud storage, and enough free space on the servers is allocated to users. Each person who connects to the service can use up to 100 gigabytes of space by uploading files of unlimited size.
MediaFire – you can get 50 gigabytes of space in the MediaFire cloud, but the conditions for obtaining are quite complicated. The initial size of disk space is only 10 gigabytes. Another 8 gigabytes can be obtained by installing certain applications and extensions, and the remaining 32 by inviting other people to become clients of the service. 1 additional gigabyte for each user.
Yandex Disk - cloud storage of the domestic company Yandex initially gives 3 GB free space, which, through simple manipulations, can easily be turned into 10 GB. Additional space is opened by attracting active referrals (500 megabytes per person). It also makes sense to monitor various promotions on the Yandex website. For example, now any subscriber tariff plan OnLime from Rostelecom can open another 100 GB, and those who buy a Kingston flash drive with the Yandex logo can receive as many additional gigabytes as the size of this flash drive.
Microsoft OneDrive allows any registered user to use 15 gigabytes of information, and if he is also the owner of a PC with installed Windows 8, then the size increases by another 10 gigabytes.
Mega gives new users 50 gigabytes free space for any files. Although this is not much, there is no need to carry out any additional fraud, unlike many other competing services.
Copy.com is another one cloud service with referral program. Initially it gives out 15 gigabytes of free space, but for each attracted user you are credited not with 1 measly gigabyte, but as much as 5 gigabytes. If you want to remove all the restrictions inherent free version, and to get from 250 gigabytes to 1 terabyte of free space, you will have to subscribe, paying $5 monthly.
Apple iCloud - unlike many others Apple services , the storage can be used by PC holders as well as mobile devices from other manufacturers. iCloud gives you 5 gigabytes of free space. An expansion of 20 gigabytes will cost 39 Russian rubles per month, 200 GB – 140 rubles per month. You can get a maximum of 1 terabyte and it will cost 749 rubles monthly.

Security and privacy

Many people do not want to use cloud services because they are afraid of identity theft or are afraid that information on some reasons will disappear. Let's see what the creators of the services in question have done to prevent such situations.

Dropbox uses modern data protection methods: SSL and 256-bit AES, which guarantees secure transfer and storage of any files uploaded to the server. All applications and service extensions are checked for vulnerabilities and updated periodically. It is possible to enable two-step authentication.
Google Drive has no competitors in terms of technology protection. All data is securely encrypted, there is almost no risk of loss. Of course, this does not obviate the need to adhere to certain security rules - configure confidentiality in the settings, log out of your account when you finish working on a public computer.

Any files uploaded to the Mail.ru cloud are scanned by Kaspersky utility for viruses and other things malicious code. When the utility databases are updated, the scan runs again. Files, as in other services, are encrypted. As for the disadvantages, it is worth noting the conditions license agreement services that relieve Mail.ru of all liability for any negative situations associated with unauthorized access, technical problems.
Microsoft OneDrive creates multiple copies of your files at once, placing them on different servers. If one of them fails, you will not lose stored information. Protection against access by third parties is also presented at a decent level - two-step verification, account recovery using additional data. There is an operational service technical support.
Yandex Disk. An encrypted connection prevents hackers from intercepting your personal data, and the ability to set a strong password prevents penetration into the account of third parties. If suddenly your device (from which you access the storage) is lost, access from it can be blocked using a special option.
MediaFire has two-step authentication and encrypted connection. For those who do not really plan to store in the cloud important information, that's more than enough.
Mega – all files that you upload to Mega servers, are automatically encrypted on your device, and an already encrypted version ends up in the storage, which even the administration of this service cannot access. To be honest, we are probably being deceived with the last statement, but it gives us additional confidence in security.
Copy.com not only protects user files from intruders in, but also from one’s own carelessness. Over a certain period of time, you can roll back files to previous versions and restore accidentally deleted ones.
Apple iCloud – any data that is uploaded to Apple iCloud, are encrypted using AES technology with 128-bit keys. The protection concerns not only the server itself where the files are stored - the process of uploading files to the server is also protected. If desired, you can enable two-step verification, which allows you to identify the storage user by the device from which he connects. On the other hand, everyone remembers the recent scandal with a huge number of explicit photos of celebrities stolen from their iCloud. The vulnerability was quickly fixed, but was it the only one?

Functionality and additional features

The ability to save files on a server is far from the only thing that modern cloud storage services are capable of. Almost any such service has additional functions that may be useful to users.

Dropbox works fine both through the browser interface, and through installed application. All tools for creating and editing files are fully supported. What's remarkable is mutable files loads very quickly. This effect is achieved through partial editing (only the modified part of the edited file, pre-compressed, is copied to the server).
Google Drive is characterized by convenient and functional interface , which is intuitive even for novice users. Loading, sorting and editing files is carried out in a couple of keystrokes. There are built-in viewing and editing tools text documents and images various formats. Mobile devices are supported and there are additional features designed specifically for them.

Cloud Mail.ru - many complain about the inconvenience of working with storage via a browser, periodic errors and stuff like that. The problem is solved by installing software to work with the service. Otherwise, nothing special - there is mobile client, integration with mail and others standard features.
Microsoft OneDrive – OneDrive has quite a lot of useful innovations. The most significant of them is the ability to create and edit Microsoft documents Office (Word, Excel, etc.) directly to the storage and sending files via Hotmail.
Yandex Disk boasts advanced functionality and a wide range of supported systems, including even mobile Windows Phone and Linux. Yandex Disk is integrated with a number of other Yandex services, which makes your work much easier.
MediaFire, in addition to its main function of storing files, allows you to share them on the Internet. More than 200 file formats are supported.
Mega performed well on iOS and Android devices, and also relatively recently acquired an official client application (previously the work was carried out exclusively through a browser).
Copy.com is quite similar in functionality to Dropbox discussed above, although it stands out for its beautiful and intuitive interface, as well as its wide cross-platform functionality.
Only owners of devices from Apple . Automatic synchronization with the cloud greatly facilitates the storage of data (photos, contacts, documents, etc.), and there is no need to install additional software. Windows owners who want to use iCloud will have to install iTunes, which is a bit inconvenient.

Let's summarize. What to choose?

Which of the following services can be called the best? It's quite difficult to decide. Each storage has its own advantages and disadvantages. But if you choose the optimal (average) option that most people will like, then the choice will fall on Google Drive.

Remote data storage in the virtual Google cloud is undoubtedly a very effective auxiliary method for any modern user who daily has to deal with a large number of files and various types data. At the same time, it is desirable that they can be accessed from anywhere, without being tied to your home or work computer.

Thus, having created a convenient and multifunctional program Google Drive (Google drive for computer), a well-known development company has pleased the vast majority of its regular users and clients with the opportunity to transfer a huge number of their files from hard drives And removable media to a more practical and reliable platform - the Google cloud, freeing up a decent amount of free space on their “machines” for other important needs.

Using Google Drive cloud storage, you can access your personal data archive at any time via a desktop computer, tablet, mobile phone or laptop, provided that you are connected to the Internet (if you need to constantly synchronize data with the cloud). Otherwise, such information may be stored on local computer until it goes online, after which synchronization will occur user files with cloud storage.

Thus, in any life situation, you will not remain cut off from files that are extremely important to you, no matter where you are: at home, at work, in a cafe with friends or standing in a traffic jam in your own car.

It is important to know that files that are in the cloud you can "share", giving another user access to edit or read. This will allow you to work collectively on common projects by uploading data to the repository. This approach makes the Google Drive cloud service even more useful and important for the common cause (for example, for business partners, work colleagues, or simply for home users who like to share their ideas with friends, giving them access to their data).

How to use the service?

There are 2 options which will help you fully and freely use storage on your personal PC(suitable for Mac and PC):
  1. just follow the link https://drive.google.com/drive/my-drive (provided that you have already registered Google mail, then you can use the storage space of 15 GB for free) and work with files through an Internet browser. You will be able to create and edit files in such common formats as .doc, .xls, .txt (more than 30 file types are supported) and be able to edit them directly from the browser. The editor's interface will resemble good old Word, Excel (depending on the type of file being edited). Additionally, users will be able to view and PDF documents, as well as many other common file types that are supported by the web version of Google Cloud.
  2. the second option involves using special program for PC. For this it is necessary download the Google Drive program for your computer from our website(link at the bottom of the article) or from the official resource (the method is shown in the screenshot below), and then install it as standard in your operating system. As a result of the installation, you will be asked to log in to Google Drive, after which you can start working with the cloud (upload and download different files, share access, etc.).

And although local program may seem more familiar and convenient compared to the web interface, many users often resort to working with the cloud through a browser. So you can double-check your future presentation for a business project or study, create a new schedule of business meetings for work, correct errors in the table, and the like.

At the same time, many users will notice that the tools offered for working with files are very reminiscent of Google Docs, which greatly simplifies the task for those who do not want or do not have the opportunity to install the necessary software on their PC, but want to do everything remotely using Google’s available tools.


If you suddenly need previous version document with which you have worked previously, then, by analogy with the popular Dropbox, Google Drive saves all versions of the modified file for 30 days. Quite a useful and practical function for those who often make changes to documents.

However, for most tasks and more convenient interaction with cloud storage, it is preferable to use the official free program Google Drive for computer. In this case, the time it will take to study it will be limited to a couple of minutes, and any PC user can figure it out.

After installing it, the necessary information will appear on your computer. system folder Google Drive, which will always automatically synchronize with the cloud service.


Separately, it is worth noting that if the allocated 15 GB of disk space becomes insufficient for you, then there is paid version Google Drive called Google Drive for Work, which has more advanced tools for work and expanded functionality aimed at increasing security when working with the cloud. However, for most users, the basic capabilities of the free version of the storage are sufficient.


Such storages are not new for a long time, an example of this is, but let’s take a closer look at what exactly Google Drive is.

How to log into Google Drive

To use Drive features, you need to have an account with Google system. You may already have it if you once registered with .

Please note that after you create one single profile, you will be able to use a wide range of features from many services.

To work with Google applications, you can create several accounts that you will use at your discretion.

So, you have registered in the system and want to create new account– I won’t describe how to do this, because everything is extremely simple (you don’t even have to confirm your phone number).

Just follow Google's instructions and explore the world of its possibilities.

By going to home page site www.google.ru, you will see at the top the access line to the account you are interested in, that’s where we will go.

You can also simply go to the general application menu and select Google Drive.

And now we move to the “holy of holies” - Google Drive is freely available.

In order to get comfortable, just pay attention to the pop-up tips. They will teach you how to create files and folders in which you will upload documents, and more.

Online version of cloud storage from Google

Google Drive provides 15 GB of free storage space for your files.

If you need more storage, pay attention to Google's pricing offers.

Of course, 30 TB is already the maximum possible volume, here are all the tariff offers from this cloud storage:

  • Up to 15 GB – free;
  • Up to 100 GB – $1.99/month;
  • Up to 1 TB – $9.99/month;
  • You can see offers from 10 to 30 TB above.

Let's turn to the working interface of Drive - this is a small panel on the left that allows you to quickly create folders and upload documents, as well as edit them.

There are two ways to start working with files - click on the “Create” button or go to the “My Disk” tab.

Let's choose the first method and get the following pop-up lists.

As you can see, there is a wonderful opportunity to connect and use numerous applications from Google. But let's take things in order.

Let's start with something simple - uploading an image and creating a folder.

We upload several images of the same topic so that we can later create a folder and place them there. Reverse order It may also be that you can create anything, whenever you want.

Just upload files from your computer or other device as usual. You can immediately download documents that you store offline in separate folders.

Access to files can be configured individually immediately after downloading using the “Access Settings” function.

To do this, you will either need to indicate specific people from address book, or send a link via social media. The options can be configured separately – “Editing”, “Commenting” or “Reading”.

In the lower left corner, you will always have access to information about the amount of space occupied on Google Drive.

Now, through the same menu, select “Create a folder”, call it “Dolphins” and transfer the images there using regular drag and drop.

By clicking on the folder, you will see a small panel at the top where all the functions for interacting with it will be collected. Or just click right click mouse over the folder and gain access to its capabilities.

You can:

  1. Start by setting up access and sending a link to the folder to those you want;
  2. Delete the entire folder in a few seconds (it will go to the “Trash”, which is available in the storage in the menu on the left, so you will have the opportunity to restore all deleted materials if necessary);
  3. Open a folder using connected applications, or do it directly when interacting with the folder;
  4. Move the folder to other folders created earlier or directly at the moment;
  5. Rename the folder, change the color, make a note;
  6. Download a folder or any other files to your computer or other media online.

The top panel also gives access to appearance disk, document sorting and properties - by selecting a specific folder, you can see all the information about it, and statistics will tell you about actions on Google Drive from the very beginning to the present moment.

You can move the files to “My Drive” or leave them here. This distinction is convenient because even files sent by mail will not get lost or disappear without a trace, even after the letters themselves are deleted in the mailbox.

The next section is “ Google Photos". If you don't already know, Google has special service, where your photos can be stored.

In order for them to appear there, it is enough to set up synchronization with media connected to the computer. Once you get things going, you can always find files automatically in your Google cloud storage.

"Recent". This is a list of files you have ever worked with, starting with the last manipulations.

"Tagged". Each folder or file can be marked as important, so you can access what is of priority importance.

"Basket" . Deleted files and folders are stored here without taking up disk space. They can always be restored, even after deleting them from the Recycle Bin itself. True, for this you will need to contact Google Technical Support.

And don't forget about the numerous applications that are used when opening various kinds of files, in addition, you can simply open them and use them yourself online.

Installing the program on your computer

It's time to familiarize yourself with the capabilities of Google Drive when interacting with your computer. To do this, select the “Settings” icon on the panel at the top.

After clicking this tab, you will be sent to a page to download the application to your computer. I select the clarification - “For Mac/PC” and click on “Download”, accept the “Google Drive Terms of Use” and proceed to download.

By the way, these conditions are not mandatory, just so you can help the system improve its operation and, if necessary, notify about problems that arise.

Save installation file wherever it is more convenient for you (I usually do this in “Downloads”) and launch Google Update Setup. To do this, you will need to wait no more than one minute.

Files that are stored on your Google Drive will now be located in a special folder in the “Library” called “Google Drive”. And you can share files directly from this folder when connected to the Internet.

After you go through all the installation steps, you will be automatically redirected to the Drive files folder.

After installation, the Google Drive icon will automatically appear in your computer panel. Control is carried out using any button of your mouse - you can see all the files in the form of a list and access each of them separately.

Thus, there is no need to look into virtual space Google Drive on the site, you will have access to documents constantly.

Google Drive for mobile devices

To download Google app Drive for other devices, back to the installation page - www.google.com/drive/download.

Select the necessary program– installation applications for devices on Android platform and iOS.

So, if your device is running on Android based, respectively select the “For Android” tab.

After this you will be moved to Google Play– an application store where you can download and install the Google Drive program for free.

In addition, you will be able to see the assessment of the application by users who have already understood its advantages and disadvantages. You will get all the same features that are provided when using Drive directly on the site.

There is a separate iOS-based application for iPhone and iPad owners. When you select this option on the loading page, you will be redirected to itunes.apple.com/google-drive/.

The site is in English, but you only need to click a couple of buttons to start the installation.

So, select “View in iTunes”, which will take you to a page where you will need to select the “Download Now” icon.

For everyone who has Cell phones work for Windows platform Phone, I recommend reading the article “”, which tells you how to install applications on such devices.

To summarize, I would like to say that Google Drive is an application of its time, which is extremely simple and convenient to use.

Perhaps 15 GB, which is provided for free, is too little space for some. However, for most users this volume is more than enough for occasional use or for work and educational purposes.

Synchronizing files in cloud storage with those that will be in folders on your computer or mobile devices allows you to quickly access any of them.

You'll never lose documents sent to you via email, and you can create new ones using Google Drive's many companion apps.

And Google Photos will become for you an alternative to other editors that take up extra space. In general, all the possibilities at once and in one place are perhaps one of the main characteristics of this cloud storage.

Cloud storage with the name Google Drive, aka Google Drive in bourgeois, aka previously known as Google Docs, is located at drive.google.com and provides fifteen gigabytes for free. Since the most effective and visual method of cognition is comparison with analogues, it is applicable. And at the same time, we will explain everything scrupulously to inexperienced, novice computer users.

How to start

It all starts with mail. I mean, from registering with Gmail. This is the starting point for using any services Google, nothing without her.

Then we go to a service called Disk. You can either find it in the list of products, if you don’t see it in the bar at the top, or type the address indicated in the preamble.

Since it is extremely inconvenient to dump fifteen gigabytes into one pile, we create folders. For this purpose, on the left there is a red button with an obvious name that expands the list. In which we select “Folder”. All that remains is to enter its name and enter it.

Next to “Create” there is another button, also red, but slightly smaller. It shows an up arrow. This means uploading something to the cloud storage in question. Don't believe me? Hover your pointer over it and the “Download” prompt will pop up.

Click, select files, and wait for the process of uploading your data to the cloud to complete.

Unlike the situation observed in Ubuntu One, the download window does not disappear by itself when finished; you need to close it manually. But the scripts do not run amok when adding files to the list, do not warm up the computer and do not force the browser to slow down.

On Yandex.Disk, the fan at such a moment can roar like a wounded bear. But there, despite the service’s existence for quite a long time, everything is still so crooked, not optimized, buggy and faulty that there is nothing to be surprised about.

In the Dropbox web interface, only the so-called basic uploader actually works, which allows you to upload one file at a time. However, there are only two free gigabytes.

Download

Method one, for several files: check the boxes next to the desired objects - expand the list under the “More” button on the panel at the top (it appears after checking the boxes) - agree to download as a zip archive - wait for archiving to complete - finally download.

Method two, the easiest for any file: right click on it - “Download”.

Method three, if you clicked on something by accident: look at the darkened screen with a very meaningful message, they say, preview is impossible, there is nothing to open such a file, don’t blame me - find the button with the down arrow at the bottom right (this is how downloading is indicated) - Click on it to get the desired result.

Method four, for one document: click, wait for the document to open in the online application - “File - Download”.

SkyDrive's interface is more obvious, more convenient, with the highest level intuitiveness. You can immediately see where you should click what, so as not to open the document in an online editor, but to download it immediately.

Well, Ubuntu One is just a storage facility, where the download is started by simply clicking on the file. But you won’t be able to pick up several pieces through the web interface in one fell swoop. For the reason that you cannot select several pieces. Although the service is developing, we will see further.

Let's go back to our Google Drive. What's really missing is the "Download" button next to "View" (with the stylized eye).

Documentation

As a matter of fact, documents open in SkyDrive. Moreover, the ODF format (*.odt) is supported there, which for some reason has not yet been implemented in Google Drive, despite Google’s favor towards Linux.

When it comes to Google Drive, it's best to create documents from scratch rather than uploading ones made locally. It doesn't matter if the formatting gets lost. The problem is that tabs are thrown out at the beginning of each paragraph. Both in downloaded files created in LibreOffice Writer, and in text copied from LibreOffice.

In what format to download the results to disk, this also raises questions. It seems that it turns out completely without any jambs, only in PDF.

Photos

These are best packaged in archives and uploaded to the cloud in the form of zip files. Because social Google network+ is in a never-ending process of permanent development, photos may suddenly move to albums there (formerly Google Picasa). And in those albums, according to eyewitnesses, confusion often arises.

However, when using mobile devices, of course, there is no particular choice. Either the photos are uploaded to Google+ (using an app) or to Google Drive (via another app) along with other file types.

Moreover, it is quite difficult to predict further changes and nuances in the Google Drive application. But, of course, you can install it in Android and try it.

How to share

Right click on the file - “Sharing” - “Sharing” again. There are submit buttons Gmail, as well as on social networks. But we are interested in specific, precise and controlled tuning. Therefore, in the “Access Levels” section, just below, click “Configure”. Everything is obvious there.

You can share a whole bunch of files at once. We tick them and press the button that appears at the top with a little man and a plus at his left shoulder. Then many links will be offered for copying at once.

Documents from links that you copy and place anywhere on the Internet will not be downloaded, but will be opened in the online editor. Therefore, for the user to save them on local disk(on a computer) you will have to press “File - Download”.

You should also remember that the documents you share will be indexed in search engine(on Google, what else) certainly and inevitably.

For the writer

Is the service suitable for a writer who intends to compose something online, traveling around the world and logging into Google Drive? The answer is clear: no.

For creative endeavors, only the Microsoft SkyDrive online editor in their cloud service is suitable.

Why? To understand this, it is enough to read and compare the user agreements. Google gets the right to use all your content literally (no exaggeration!) however they want. In fact, the user agreement cancels the entire set of copyrights, property and non-property. Microsoft, fortunately, does not allow anything like this.

The same applies to journalists, reporters writing dissertations, etc. Work on texts in the topic under discussion Google service potentially unsafe.

Let's summarize

So, we made a comparison with similar services. Now, without breaking tradition, let's summarize.

Disadvantages of Google Drive cloud storage: lack of ODF support, not very intuitive interface, confusion with photo albums, user agreement gives Google the rights to anything and everything.

Advantages: fifteen gigabytes, convenient to share on Google+ and Twitter, convenient to send links by mail (Gmail), software is optimized and does not cause the computer to heat up, slow down, or glitch.

That is, to put it differently, it is better to keep more or less confidential files in Ubuntu One, work with documents in Microsoft SkyDrive, and share something with the world’s population in Google Drive.