Talk:Google Drive

Unlimited and free storage for university students

Hi everyone, this is my first contribution to a Talk page. I just wanted to point out that nowhere is mentioned that Google currently offers unlimited storage to (university) students. For example, I am a student at the University of Trento (Italy) and my institutional account includes a Google account with free and unlimited storage. Also, by searching over the Internet, you can easily find this thing: free storage for students. This plan is around from about 2014, if I am not mistaken.

UPDATE: I just noticed that this information is available on the Italian version of the page.

Migola93 (talk) 17:20, 23 July 2017 (UTC)

Google Drive Logo

The Google drive logo is a trihexaflexagon. It probably wasn't intended to be, but it is. 12Me21 (talk) 19:31, 19 September 2014 (UTC)

It also seems as if there were some speculations about Google copying the logo from a Chinese app called VPlayer The speculations didn't seem to pick up much heat besides a few articles commenting on the possibility. LandonMacKinnon (talk) 20:11, 28 March 2016 (UTC)

Update: Seems more likely that the inspiration was driven by the Möbius strip LandonMacKinnon (talk) 20:14, 28 March 2016 (UTC)

References

Rumors?

There was some kind of Gdrive that grabbed into Gmail in order to make a virtual cloud drive on the client side. I don't know who the programmer was, but I do not believe the individual had developed the program for Google. I believe it was written in Python. I don't understand why it's said that the thing is a "rumor." I'm sure someone with enough knowledge can describe what was going on back then. However, I believe the earliest version of "GDrive" or a "Google Drive" was developed by a programmer, if not programmers, who made a program that could tap into the storage space of Gmail, thus generating a gmail drive. I know it existed. I used it. --Cyberman (talk) 08:45, 22 September 2013 (UTC)

Response: If you're referring to this, I would hardly call it a precursor to Google Drive. It was independently developed and functioned in an entirely different way piggybacking on existing protocols. 22 Sep 2013 Taylor — Preceding unsigned comment added by 50.143.51.63 (talk) 03:47, 23 September 2013 (UTC)

That is one of the things I was talking about. It looks extremely familiar. Also, that webpage is dated with the year of authorship being 2004. It's arguable as to whether or not it's a pre-cursor, but it definitely involves Google and taking advantage of its storage space. --Cyberman (talk) 07:26, 24 September 2013 (UTC)

I removed the sentence, "Rumors about Google Drive began circulating as early as March 2006." I think it belongs in a "History" section, if one is created. Here is the citation for the sentence:

 "Google Drive: What we know so far". TechCrunch. Retrieved April 24, 2012.

--Doug4 (talk) 0:51, 6 January 2015 (UTC)

Automatic file conversion (i.e.videos)

There's a feature not mentioned: when you upload a video, and then downloaded it will be automatically converted according to the device. i.e: if you upload a 40mb 800x600 video on your PC, and then download it in a mobile phone, it could just convert it to a 2mb 320x240 video

--Sully76 (talk) 12:53, 1 June 2012 (UTC)

Change alerting limitation

I just checked, and there is a way in which users can be notified of changes: when you 'publish' a document, you can subscribe to an RSS feed of subsequent changes.

On a different matter: any interest and / or objections to the contribution of an assessment of the licensing terms to this page? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 80.192.82.69 (talk) 16:08, 26 February 2008 (UTC)

Regarding List of Office Suites

The folks maintaining List of office suites have decided not to include Google Docs & Spreadsheets, on account of it's not technically an office suite. Would it make sense to remove the reference to that page on this one for the same reason? --128.148.33.128 02:33, 7 December 2006 (UTC)

Agree. Replaced with List of word processors. --John Seward 14:39, 7 December 2006 (UTC)

In 2008 is it now considered an office suite yet, having spreadsheet and presentation modes? CortlandKlein (talk) 19:37, 19 March 2008 (UTC)

date of purchase for writely

was able to find the date announced that being March 9' 2006 my sources being http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2006/03/writely-so.html and http://writely.blogspot.com/2006_03_01_writely_archive.html Atomic1fire 02:47, 4 February 2007 (UTC)

Sources

Especially with articles regarding upcoming products (which are more prone to include speculation and POV than most articles), please be sure to cite sources when making edits =) rdude 04:37, 6 June 2006 (UTC)

Name of article

Should be Google Docs & Spreadsheets, right? --John Seward 13:38, 26 October 2006 (UTC)

yeah --Mambo Jambo 22:13, 26 October 2006 (UTC)

The move has been made. Oberiko 22:13, 26 October 2006 (UTC)

Security (HTTPS)

This section needs some wording adjustment, while you can change http to https for docs.google.com, only documents can be opened securely, spreadsheet links are non-SSL only at this time. --SubWolf 23:23, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

Hmm, looks like you're right! Thanks for noting this, I had no idea. I haven't figured out a good way to word that section yet; if you have ideas, please edit! Nemilar 04:11, 6 February 2007 (UTC)

Speculation on Google Docs & Spreadsheets' future

It is speculated that Google will release more products in its MS Office competitor. Rumor has it that Google's next plan is releasing a presentation program, codenamed Presently (after Writely), similar to Microsoft's PowerPoint.[1] Ice Ardor 18:47, 24 February 2007 (UTC)

Browser Support

Nearly all of Google's services claim to not support Opera 9.0+, even when Opera functions identically to Firefox or IE. Google sniffs useragents to disallow Opera users. Spoofing the UA string fixes the problem.

Although still a beta release, Apple's Safari 3.0 is now available for Windows XP and Vista, and works with Google Docs & Spreadsheets.80.175.134.121 09:27, 12 June 2007 (UTC)

Some Google services don't fully work in Opera due to non-standard coding and/or new, experimental technologies which have not become a standard yet. There is a UserJS that fixes Google services for Opera.[2][3][4] Ice Ardor 18:47, 24 February 2007 (UTC)

As of September 26, 2007, the most current version of Opera is 9.23 build 8808 and it is compatible with Google Docs. —Preceding unsigned comment added by Dabrace1984 (talk • contribs) 15:57, 26 September 2007 (UTC)

Spreadsheets

Google Spreadsheets does not require any special download/installations! It does require a google (gmail) account. What tech is used to implement the interactivity? Java? Javascript?

• On a PII-266, Win98SE, dialup: Quite slow to start. Reasonable interactive performance with very simple test spreadsheets.
• On a 2GHz WinXP, (slow) broadband: Good performance with simple test spreadsheets.

What are the most important factors the determine performance in typical uses?-69.87.200.81 22:32, 7 April 2007 (UTC)

Google Presentations

According to their blog, they just bought out a presentation company. Might be time for microsoft to get worried :). Will need adding to the wiki as it is from their official blog Gigitrix 15:07, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

It's in the introductory paragraph. Oberiko 16:09, 24 April 2007 (UTC)

AJAX (Programming category) query

Can someone shine some light as to why this article is in the AJAX (Programming) category? 5pitfir3 19:26, 6 May 2007 (UTC)

Presumably, because Google's on-line applications have APIs, making them easy to use for AJAX, and because it uses AJAX. I'm not sure if its inclusion is warranted, though, because I'm not sure how much you can embed Google Docs into your own website. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.50.151.142 (talk) 12:23, 29 August 2011 (UTC)

File formats

Google Docs & Spreadsheets accepts most popular file formats, including DOC, XLS, ODT, ODS, RTF, CSV, etc. You can save your files to your own computer in DOC, XLS, CSV, ODS, ODT, PDF, RTF and HTML formats.

Here's what you can do with documents:

• Upload Word documents, OpenOffice, RTF, HTML or text (or create documents from scratch).
• Use our simple WYSIWYG editor to format your documents, spell-check them, etc.
• Invite others (by e-mail address) to edit or view your documents and spreadsheets.
• Edit documents online with whomever you choose.
• Download documents to your desktop as Word, OpenOffice, RTF, PDF, HTML or zip.

Here's what you can do with spreadsheets:

• Import and export of .xls, .csv, .txt and .ods formatted data (and export functionality for .pdf and html).

• What exactly can I do with Google Docs & Spreadsheets?
• How do I save a document or spreadsheet to my computer?
• What's new in Google Docs & Spreadsheets?

-69.87.201.134 01:45, 13 September 2007 (UTC)

Google Terms of Service

Shoud this page have a comment on the Google Terms of Service?

see this page Google denies it owns your words and this pageThe Content in Google Apps Belongs to Google. Google Terms of Service 16:58, 16 September 2007 (UTC)

Fits under current article section "Ownership and licensing"

—DIV (120.17.235.238 (talk) 12:30, 5 February 2017 (UTC))

Google Docs Uses OpenOffice PDF Writer?

Anyone else notice that pdf files output from the spreadsheet say "OpenOffice" in the producer metadata field? Family Guy Guy (talk) 18:53, 15 February 2008 (UTC)

Ok, sorry. It's changed now. Writely documents says "Prince 6.0 (www.princexml.com)" and the spreadsheets say "iText 1.4.1 (by lowagie.com)" Family Guy Guy (talk) 18:53, 15 February 2008 (UTC)

Document size and file limitations

The size limitation only appears to apply for uploads. I copy-pasted a 3500 KB document in, saved it and published it and it worked fine. In fact, it's right here: http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=d9fsc5t_4sqb6mkhh May I suggest an edit? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 70.72.168.218 (talk) 20:01, 10 March 2008 (UTC)

I'm a little concerned about the Limitations and Security sections -- both sound like they were written by someone severely skeptical of the utility of the Docs suite, and as you pointed out, some of the claims may no longer be accurate. --AquaDoctorBob (talk) 09:26, 20 March 2008 (UTC)

The claim "A user can have a total of 5,000 documents and presentations, 5,000 images, 1,000 spreadsheets, and 100 PDFs at one time" seems to be false... This limitation, specifically the limit of 100 pdf files, is not correct. I personally have over 250 in my normal, free account.Kromium (talk) 17:07, 6 May 2010 (UTC)

"Data storage of files up to 1 GB total in size was introduced on January 13, 2011, but has since been increased to 10GB, documents created inside Google Docs do not count towards this quota." makes it seem like users with free account have 10GB free space, but it is only 1GB. 10GB is the file size limit. On the link it is clearly specified about file size and space size. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 95.176.170.98 (talk) 04:45, 26 January 2012 (UTC)

Article lacks mention of version tracking

Google Document (the word processor) deffinately has a level of version tracking, and I'm fairly sure the other two applications do too. This hasn't been mentioned in this article. Is there any reason why? El Paulio (talk) 13:12, 3 May 2008 (UTC)

@ El Paulo : Your assumption is wrong, google draw does not currently support version traking. I agree the "Version tracking" topic needs to be mentioned. --RomualdoGrillo (talk) 12:13, 9 August 2010 (UTC)

Thank you for your suggestion. When you feel an article needs improvement, please feel free to make those changes. Wikipedia is a wiki, so anyone can edit almost any article by simply following the edit this page link at the top. The Wikipedia community encourages you to be bold in updating pages. Don't worry too much about making honest mistakes — they're likely to be found and corrected quickly. If you're not sure how editing works, check out how to edit a page, or use the sandbox to try out your editing skills. New contributors are always welcome. You don't even need to log in (although there are many reasons why you might want to). ffm 22:26, 1 October 2008 (UTC)

Great limitations not mentioned

What about the extreme basicness of the word-processor (not much above WordPad or HTML email) and the presentations module (only static slides)? I wish someone with more knowledge would write about these deficiencies, which, incidentally, have remained more or less unchanged for a very long time. APW (talk) 08:39, 30 October 2008 (UTC)

Actually, that is seen as an advantage by many, but, sadly, will probalby give into the above suggested over-engineering soon.--John Bessa (talk) 19:42, 25 March 2011 (UTC)

Agreed, the whole thing feels like a toy. The idea is flawed and the article lacks a balanced "criticism" section which I cannot personally write since I hate web applications and the whole concept of downsizing the once-personal computer to a dumb terminal for the web. Of course, Google pushes people there because they believe they ARE the web. They may be the web, today, but they should let personal computers alone. It's just hateful to see those javascript kids trash the past so easily. I'm envious, but I also do believe we're moving toward a MUCH crappier IT world for the foreseeable future. Doing all on the web is unreasonable. The web wasn't built for privacy, for one. And JS wasn't built to develop applications, there used to be Java for that. JS was for kids, and still produces web applications that work like mere toys. Of course if they push enough on developing it further, it may as well become a "decent" virtual machine, but why taking this long and silly route? To please Google geeks? To h*** with google geeks. 95.246.204.18 (talk) 12:54, 30 June 2011 (UTC)

Yes, there should be a Reception or Criticisms section in an article of this size. See by contrast the rich detail provided in the Dropbox article!

—DIV (120.17.235.238 (talk) 12:51, 5 February 2017 (UTC))

Hi there. I tried to reach out to you in this talk page post. Please read and respond there. Thanks! LocalNet (talk) 12:54, 5 February 2017 (UTC)

Security

Security section only seems to exist to substantiate and sensationalise security blog posts. Maybe the blog author should see his own article of August 24th 2008 entitled 'The Looming Dangers of Security Vulnerability Sensationalism' to see why this is not a warranted sensationalisation.

Also, these claims have been made and reported to google multiple times earlier, such as http://blog.novedge.com/2007/09/google-docs-sec.html and http://www.ati.es/blog/index.php?op=ViewArticle&articleId=390&blogId=2 making at the very least the reference not notable. Fancy steve (talk) 07:01, 12 November 2008 (UTC)

Current article has nothing about "security", which is an information gap that should be appropriately filled.

—DIV (120.17.235.238 (talk) 12:32, 5 February 2017 (UTC))

Refresh rate

The major technical issue for Gmail document share, IMO, is its slow refresh rate. I did insert a phrase into the article on this, but I'm unsure whether it's the end of the matter. Will all of this be superseded by Google Wave? Tony (talk) 14:49, 9 June 2009 (UTC)

Mobile Docs

One cannot upload and download files, only read files from google mail (I am using Nokia 5800).--Nopetro (talk) 08:56, 21 June 2009 (UTC)

As of May'12 you can do both (Samsung Galaxy), so it's probably a phone limitation --Sully76 (talk) 12:59, 1 June 2012 (UTC)

Userbox

For editors who use this application you can add a userbox to your userpage if you like:

Code	Result
{{User:Ahunt/Docs}}	This user uses Google Drive.	Usage

- Ahunt (talk) 21:01, 24 December 2009 (UTC)

Clear sky!!

Section Features claims:

Google Docs is amongst many cloud computing document-sharing services[21].

Which isn't true and isn't relevant. The docs are stored on Google Docs, the processing is made by the client and server computers. Everything is clear and identifiable, a classical client-server app. "Cloud computing" refers to distributed processor capacity bought per MIPS or such. What computer is performing the processing is irrelevant, it is one or many randomly/automatically selected computers in a server park. Google Docs have nothing to do with cloud computing. Rursus dixit. (^mbork³!) 12:57, 8 March 2010 (UTC)

Clearly, you're just arguing semantics here. I added a link that is appropriate. Timneu22 (talk) 19:15, 8 March 2010 (UTC)

This is a central server system, a cloud is a network abstraction--the exact opposite. It may have fit a cloud definition when it used google gears, which has since disappeared--possibly to implement mobwrite.--John Bessa (talk) 14:47, 13 August 2011 (UTC)

It is becoming common practice to refer to SAAS to which your PC connects as being in the "cloud" of which DRY is preferable to those not using NEWest PC and docs.google was more DRY than drive.google — Preceding unsigned comment added by 96.56.213.98 (talk) 19:55, 29 December 2012 (UTC)

Merge DocVerse

DocVerse seems to be pointless. Lets merge it into this. Also, perhaps someone should discuss what DocVerse actually did (or does)! Timneu22 (talk) 16:46, 19 March 2010 (UTC)

Google Docs PDF Viewer

I didn't see anything about the Google Docs PDF Viewer - Google Chrome and Google Mail can be set up so that clicking on links to PDF files don't download them or open them in the browser with a plugin, but instead you're sent to Google Docs, which then loads the PDF file for you and lets you preview it on-screen. -- pne (talk) 11:11, 10 December 2010 (UTC)

Screenshots and Images

The screen-shots at the top really need to be updated. Google has changed its look entirely, and there are many new features not flaunted in the version shown. (It also looks a bit drab, so anybody discovering Google Docs through Wikipedia won't want to use it.) 41.138.236.42 (talk) 17:58, 12 November 2011 (UTC)WLD (NUA (No-User-Account))

OpenOffice.org Calc to MediaWiki

I have been trying to get the answer to this: How do I import an OpenOffice.org Calc spreadsheet to Wikipedia? Someone suggested uploading it to Google Docs, but will that work, and is that the best way? Allen (talk) 13:05, 17 March 2012 (UTC)

I think it will work, You can convert OpenOffice Spreadsheet to MS format or Google Format by using Google Docs. --Jerrywjh (talk) 03:24, 19 March 2012 (UTC)

How do I do it? Allen (talk) 10:41, 19 March 2012 (UTC)

Merge with Google Docs

AGREE - Per my Google Play, Docs has been replaced by Drive. Since this appears to be a new product launch directly associated between the two apps, they should be merged into one. I have included Google's Blog entry. swinquest (talk) 19:36, 24 April 2012 (UTC)

Further comment - instead of creating a whole new article, maybe this article should be deleted and Google Documents should be expanded and name changed. swinquest (talk) 19:42, 24 April 2012 (UTC)

I requested for merging, but your idea is what I really want. -- Meow 19:52, 24 April 2012 (UTC)

Disagree: I think Google Drive will be a separate product, so no need to merge with Google Docs. The official announcement has not been published in Google Docs blog. --Tito Dutta ^Message 19:50, 24 April 2012 (UTC)

Google Docs has been replaced by Google Drive and redirected to Google Drive. Couldn't you understand? -- Meow 19:52, 24 April 2012 (UTC)

I have not got access to Google Drive, so, I have Google Docs still. Need to check when I'll get access--Tito Dutta ^Message 19:58, 24 April 2012 (UTC)

BTW, they have not renamed Google Docs forum but created a new community forum for Google Drive, so there are two different forums for Docs and Drive.. I need to wait until I get access to drive. --Tito Dutta ^Message 20:02, 24 April 2012 (UTC)

Google Drive is somewhat the rebranded Google Docs. Once you get Google Drive, your Google Docs will be gone. -- Meow 20:09, 24 April 2012 (UTC)

I have downloaded the Google Drive (shown as being an update, so I'm assuming it is taking the place of Docs on my Android). Once I get in and look at it, I will be able to see if Docs is gone. I'll touch base again tomorrow. swinquest (talk) 21:29, 24 April 2012 (UTC)

I agree the two products are identical Google has replaced Google Docs. It is no longer a product with that name. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Crocker22 (talk • contribs) 22:47, 24 April 2012 (UTC)

In reviewing their blog, it appears that Docs will be built right into Drive, and Drive may be able to do more. They are not saying that Docs will be replaced. Based on this info, I am retracting my original vote, and I say let's just wait and see. swinquest (talk) 03:42, 25 April 2012 (UTC)

They don't need to say, because Docs is already replaced. -- Meow 04:43, 25 April 2012 (UTC)

When I open something in Drive it opens it up as a Google Doc. Let's wait and see a bit more. Marcus Qwertyus 04:35, 25 April 2012 (UTC)

No, Google Drive is a rebranded term for Google Docs' Documents List, the one where you manage your files. According to statement, "Google Docs is built right into Google Drive, so you can work with docs, spreadsheets and presentations". Thus, Google Docs now refers to Google Drive's office suite. Both are separate service. So no merge here. just sayin' :) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 124.6.181.163 (talk) 18:50, 25 April 2012 (UTC)

I didn't upgrade to Google Drive (and will not do it). So I still have Google Docs and all the links appear as docs.google.com/... No any sign of Drive. And there are millions of people like me. So why to merge two articles? --Dima1 (talk) 07:04, 25 April 2012 (UTC)

On my Android, my Docs app automatically converted to Drive. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.17.136.3 (talk) 08:25, 25 April 2012 (UTC)

Agree since Google Docs blog talks of integration between the two platforms. The Android GDocs App has already been updated with a new logo and interface, even for users who have yet to be given full access to Google Drive on PCs or Macs. While GDrive may role out slowly to users, it seems likely that GDocs will be superseded by GDrive.--Tvnewswatch (talk) 08:59, 25 April 2012 (UTC)

• No merge at the moment. In one year, maybe, but we can discuss that then. History2007 (talk) 11:46, 25 April 2012 (UTC)

• Support merge -- Google Docs has been re-branded Google Drive Tvh2k (talk) 15:34, 25 April 2012 (UTC)

• Google docs should be merged to Google drive. It clearly says in Google drive android app download page that Google docs is now a part of Google drive. And Google docs app is no longer available. Google drive is the new name for Google cloud storage and sharing services which include documents , pic, video and any other files. So Google docs should be merged into Google drive and re written accordingly. There is no wait required for this. Everyone knows. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Rafiwiki (talk • contribs) 03:31, 26 April 2012 (UTC)

Just as the Market was re-branded to Google Play (because they added extra things to buy such as music and books), Google Docs is re-branded as Google Drive (because now they allow more then only docs on it, also pictures and every other file format you want). The links to Google docs are disappearing (although they don't introduce it to everyone at the same moment), and the docs Android app is also being replaced. Someone could still see Google Docs as the web interface to edit your documents, and the rest as Google Drive. But Google will let go of this subdivision, and call everything as "Google Drive". --Sanderd17 (talk) 07:47, 26 April 2012 (UTC)

Don't merge - I don't agree with this merger. I just got access and I can confirm that all documents are still found under a docs.google.com URL. Google docs is the doc, spreadsheet and presentation part and Drive will be the backup solution. Google Drive is much more than Google docs. Wild mine (talk) 14:36, 28 April 2012 (UTC)

I think while it's possible you access Google Docs it's reasonable we don't merge them. When Google merges completely Docs and Drive so we can merge Google Drive page and Google Docs page. --Lucas mascote171 (talk) 15:11, 8 May 2012 (UTC)

Google Docs login page states that “Google Docs will soon be upgraded to Google Drive. Google Drive will be the new home for your files. Find out more and get started.” Therefore, it is clear that there will be a merger between the two services. Wikipedia has the option to either create an archive page for the former version of Google Drive, which is currently Google Docs or to merge them both into one article. --Gavin Michael (talk) 07:42, 15 May 2012 (UTC)

Don't merge - Google Docs will co-exist with drive for quite some time. Technically, Google Docs is the editor and not the file storage like it used to be, making it the editor FOR Google Drive. I vote we leave all as is until Google confirm that they're phasing out the name "docs" — Preceding unsigned comment added by Count of Tuscany (talk • contribs) 06:16, 2 June 2012 (UTC)

Don't merge - The Google Docs article should be re-written in past tense, though. Merging it will delete it from the history books. Doesn't matter what happens with documents, whether they're available only in Google Drive or still in Google Docs or not. The thing existed. The article describes its history. Change it to past tense and end it with something like “for information on this application's history after it was re-launched in 2012, see the article on Google Drive.” — Preceding unsigned comment added by 173.79.148.153 (talk) 02:17, 3 June 2012 (UTC)

Don't merge - It's two months since the launch of Google Drive, and docs.google.com still has no functions which relate it to Google Drive. For web users of Google Docs, nothing has happened yet. Let's see how Google deals with the product merger before thinking about the wikipedia entry merger! Current status at docs.google.com is: "Google Docs will soon be upgraded to Google Drive. Google Drive will be the new home for your files." Permacultura (talk) 15:52, 17 June 2012 (UTC)

Merge - While a Google search of docs still shows a link to docs.google.com, all this does is redirect to drive.google.com. It is clearly only there as a deprecated redirect link. Drive seems to now be both document/file storage as well as an office suite. (ReshenKusaga (talk) 18:33, 30 August 2012 (UTC))

Don't Merge - As both products still bare distinct marketing names and branding, and while they can both be accessed independently, they should be considered distinct products and that should be reflected here. NotinREALITY 07:42, 12 September 2012 (UTC)

Merge The two are actually merging together. • Jesse V.^(talk) 20:49, 15 September 2012 (UTC)

Merge. Google Drive is built on top of Google Docs. While Google Docs allowed you to create documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, Google Drive was built upon that same frame, integrating a synchronizing service with Google Docs while cleaning up the user interface. OmnipotentArchetype0309 (talk) 23:45, 15 October 2012 (UTC)

Don't Merge Take it straight from Google. Drive is the storage service, Docs is the office application suite. While the storage part was liberated from the old Docs and expanded upon for Drive, Docs still remains as the office application portion. You can even notice when using Google Drive that opening a document or spreadsheet will take you from drive.google.com to docs.google.com. --Kaleb.G (talk) 08:39, 18 November 2012 (UTC)

Merge The two articles contain too much similar and/or copypasted information; finding required information requires navigating both. From a usability standpoint, merging makes a lot of sense. Your friend NorwegianNazgul (talk) 02:19, 28 November 2012 (UTC)

Don't Merge but change the content of the docs page to only show the editors.... i have done this — Preceding unsigned comment added by 86.147.225.234 (talk) 11:03, 1 December 2012 (UTC)

Don't Merge just make it past tense, why are we trying to remove the previous existence of Google Docs, maybe shorten it a bit but why even do that. I think it should be left as is with a disclaimer up to stating "Has been absorbed by Google Drive" which will eventually say "Has been absorbed by..." — Preceding unsigned comment added by 108.36.92.50 (talk) 00:18, 8 January 2013 (UTC)

Don't Merge, given the amount of history that Google Docs has. The other reason is that the current article already contains lots of material from Google Docs that should only belong in Google Docs. Google Drive can then just refer to Google Docs, as in "To read Google Docs history prior to Google Drive, see Google Docs." -Mardus (talk) 08:35, 12 February 2013 (UTC)

(Please) Don't Merge, cloud storage is it's own concern, found enough in this page with out having to read around on google docs. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Dhaddonpearson (talk • contribs) 01:54, 17 February 2013 (UTC)

Merge Google Docs is no longer refers to Google's cloud office suite as we know it,but rather a web app as part of Google Drive, this includes Google Sheets (for spreadsheet), Google Slides (for presentation), Google Forms and Google Docs (for word processor). — Preceding unsigned comment added by 124.6.181.168 (talk) 05:56, 21 February 2013 (UTC)

Sharing

This is a pretty stubby article so far. Can these files be shared with others? How much control? Can these files be made public, for sharing? Must the user install special client software just to be able to manually upload/download files?-96.233.20.116 (talk) 16:57, 23 May 2012 (UTC)

Part of

docs.google has been FREE. drive.google is said to cost $5.99/mo beyond 2 yrs after 1st accessing via chrome Book for FREE. "100 GB of Google Drive free for 2 years ". — Preceding unsigned comment added by 96.56.213.98 (talk) 19:49, 29 December 2012 (UTC)

Google Documents (or Google Docs) is now a part of Google Drive... (talk) 12:02, 25 June 2012 (UTC) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 95.103.139.214 (talk)

Adding some updated information to the "Data safety and privacy" section

I'm adding a short and well-cited paragraph to include information on two technologies Google has implemented to improve security: two-factor authentication and broad "default-on" SSL usage across their services (including Drive). Few other internet companies provide this sort of authentication - Blizzard, Steam, and EA's "The Old Republic" MMO are the only ones that I can think of offhand. I considered also adding a note about how trivial it is to steal someone's Facebook account by simply being on the same network as them and using an app such as DroidSheep (due to their "default-off" SSL), but I think it's probably not directly relevant even if it does demonstrate Google being more proactive about security than other industry leaders. Nalorcs (talk) 21:22, 2 August 2012 (UTC)

Basic functionality explained

I'm confused. I already store documents on Google Docs (now Google Drive), and I (and my school project team members) can access/revise them from our computers/devices, so what functionality does the Google Drive Client provide that I don't already have? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 66.69.37.108 (talk) 15:18, 27 December 2012 (UTC)

It's a sync service. It lets you access your files and folders as if they were regular files and folders in your computer, even offline. When online, every little change you make to those files and folders is backed up automatically to the cloud. -79.181.99.85 (talk) 17:00, 16 November 2013 (UTC)

Google Cloud Connect

Why is it currently still written as a feature even though it was discontinued in April, 2013? -79.181.99.85 (talk) 16:54, 16 November 2013 (UTC)

The article has been updated. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 120.59.40.238 (talk) 17:32, 11 April 2014 (UTC)

Category:Data synchronization

Hi! We should add the article to this category, shouldn't we? --Pequod76 (talk-ita.esp.eng) 00:31, 3 January 2014 (UTC)

Email Integration

Google Drive integrates with Gmail. Files received as attachments in Gmail can be previewed through Google Drive viewer or direct saved to Google Drive. All this is not mentioned. 120.57.165.222 (talk) 11:02, 27 March 2014 (UTC)

Moves files to recycle bin and/or trash

This is a problem that many users have encountered, that Google Drive moves their files into the recycle bin and/or trash, for unknown reasons. I think it should be mentioned in the article. Thoughts? Btyner (talk) 01:10, 11 April 2014 (UTC)

If you can find a reliable source supporting this, it can be added. This is in accordance with WP:V. - SD0001 (talk) 12:49, 25 November 2014 (UTC)

Just a blog, but hardly the only one. [5]. Btyner (talk) 23:28, 20 April 2015 (UTC)

Mobile Access

The section Mobile Access appears to have a lot of false information. Ex: According to https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.docs, the Google Drive app for Android cannot create or edit presentations. 120.57.165.222 (talk) 10:59, 27 March 2014 (UTC)

Linux - does anyone know WHY Linux isn't supported?

Or have at least any knowlegeable people speculated (ie, somewhere citable), as to why?

I mean, it's strange, isn't it? Getting an official Google Drive client working for Linux seems like it should be relatively trivial... right?

You would think that they've *decided*, as a deliberate policy, not to do so. But apparently that's not the case...? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 89.100.173.60 (talk) 17:44, 30 September 2014 (UTC)

I am pretty sure I read somewhere that they were actually working on it, but since several years passed, maybe all of this is a choice. - Migola93 (talk) 17:24, 23 July 2017 (UTC)

Pricing details

The detailed pricing information (especially the table) makes this article look like promotional material, and it is likely to get out of date. Can we get rid of some or all of it? Peter Chastain ^{[habla, por favor]} 19:28, 16 November 2014 (UTC)

Changes to Google Drive storage pricing schemes do get sufficient media attention for them to get updated here. - SD0001 (talk) 12:52, 25 November 2014 (UTC)

Media attention alone is not sufficient for Wikipedia. The prices need to be discussed in the article. Otherwise, they are just a list of indiscriminate info. Fleet Command (talk) 10:40, 26 January 2015 (UTC)

Can we see a link that reflects "sufficient media attention"? I agree that the pricing table doesn't really belong. Beachhead76 (talk) 20:22, 23 January 2015 (UTC)

I would appreciate a clarification about whether the "free" plan is available to businesses too, or only individual "consumers" (not businesses), as Google seems to suggest at https://support.google.com/a/answer/177064. Note that I am not asking whether this policy is heeded by anybody or ever enforced, just whether that is the official policy.

—DIV (120.17.235.238 (talk) 12:41, 5 February 2017 (UTC))

Features of Google Docs

The lengthy section on the features of Google's office suite (here referred to as Google Docs) should be removed from this article, as it is a complete duplication of what is already there on the main article (Google Docs#Features). Besides, the line between Google Drive and Google Docs has now become even more pronounced as there are standalone mobile apps and desktop websites for each of Docs, Sheets and Slides; thus the information qualifies as off-topic . SD0001 (talk) 13:01, 25 November 2014 (UTC)

It has been 7 days; with no objections to the proposal, as per WP:SILENCE, I'll remove the section. SD0001 (talk) 07:23, 2 December 2014 (UTC)

Features of Google Drive

Google Drive also features drawings — Preceding unsigned comment added by Lukeyhano (talk • contribs) 14:43, 15 February 2015 (UTC)

Removal of Founded on: {Date} ; 2 years ago

I'm a Wikipedia editing noob, but the "; 2 years ago" part seems a little redundant and misleading.

I propose this because A) Google Drive is almost 3 years old, and I had to double check my calendar, while Drive may not yet be 3, saying it is 2 gives the impression the app is younger than it actually is. B) The date is given, stating the age is not something I've seen in many Wiki articles and would need yearly updating. I would say it's inefficient at best.

Just my 2 cents. I tried to edit the page but it looks like this is being derived from an automated method.

Of course, I'm just a Wiki noob, so if anyone disagrees, I would love to hear the reason why (no sarcasm, genuine interest).

Edit note: I still think the "Founded on: {Date}" part should stay. Just to be clear. --Minibytefli (talk) 19:07, 16 March 2015 (UTC)

External links modified

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Data safety and privacy section

Hi. I've noticed that the data safety and privacy section doesn't hold a neutral point of view. I want to try editing that; removing biased content, rewriting non-neutral language, and keeping the information relative to the sources. I haven't seen much (or any) actual discussion on the topic here for a while, so I'm not going to wait until I get a response to start editing, but if someone objects to an edit I make, please do come here and join me for a new discussion. Thanks! LocalNet (talk) 06:08, 23 October 2016 (UTC)

Actually, having read the section in more detail now, I have a more dramatic solution in mind: delete the section. Hear me out:

• The section starts by raising concerns about the privacy of using Google's services when the company has "unusually close ties" to the U.S. government. Fair enough, but that concerns the entire Google, not Google Drive specifically. The three Wired articles sourced first don't even mention Drive - they're talking the whole company. That's information that should be highlighted on the Google article and the Criticism of Google article,
• The June 2011 "hack" involved fake emails that fooled government members to give away their passwords - no breach of systems caused by any negligence by Google. It also concerned Gmail, not Drive.
• The 2009 share error was before Drive existed, so that should be in the Google Docs article, where I plan to move it later. Secondly, the sharing was limited to people who the document was previously shared with, not the whole Internet.
• The last bullet point raises the same case as the opening paragraph in the section, and concerns Google as a whole.
• Drive for Work was launched - it is "enterprise-ready"
• The security information can be written into other sections. Some of it is also original research, which should be removed.
• The info that Drive does not use end-to-end encryption is okay, but states that info is "easily accessible" for unauthorized persons, then goes on to list a whole bunch of sources. Let's not be paranoid, it's not "easily" accessible, but yes, the lack of that encryption is noteworthy and can be moved to other sections.

I'm going to give it a while before I make any changes so people get a chance to read and reply. LocalNet (talk) 07:14, 23 October 2016 (UTC)

Recent comments

Hi anonymous editor 120.17.235.238. It's great that you're engaging in the talk page, and I value your feedback, but it's very difficult for me to follow, for multiple reasons. Please keep in mind that several of your posts are replies to comments posted many years ago (2007, 2008, 2011, and 2015), the comments are split into many different sections rather than one unified post, and I am unable to use a Wikipedia reply feature that gives you a notification when I have responded because you aren't logged in to a registered account. I want to hear your feedback, though, so it would be great if you could, at the very least, please make a new section, unifying your different concerns and questions, so that we can have an organized discussion rather than jumping between multiple old sections. Thanks. LocalNet (talk) 12:48, 5 February 2017 (UTC)

Update to Spam issues section

Hi,

I'm a Google employee who worked on a feature that was launched last year to improve Drive spam handling. I'd like to get the Spam Issues section updated, but since I have a conflict of interest, I am only going to suggest an update here. I'm hoping someone else can review this and update the section if it looks good.

Here is my proposed update:

Google Drive allows users to share drive contents with other Google users without requiring any authorization from the recipient of a sharing invitation. This has resulted in users receiving spam from unsolicited shared drives. Google is reported to be working on a fix. In May 2023, Google launched a dedicated spam folder in Drive and now detects and moves unwanted files to that folder (source: https://workspaceupdates.googleblog.com/2023/05/google-drive-spam-folder.html)

Thanks,

Jason Blahbleorg (talk) 15:58, 22 January 2024 (UTC)