So would you use Google Drive? Solved - answer no.

[viking777]

You already (possibly) authorise Google to access your mail, calendar, search records and heaven knows what else if you use google+, so why not your files and folders as well?

Supposedly google drive will be launched next week with 5Gb of free space and 'access from anywhere' capabilities. It may not contain a Linux client at launch, but that will almost certainly follow before too long.

One presumes that their privacy policy for the new service will be the same as for their existing products in accordance with the 'One policy for all' directive launched recently. It is here if you haven't read it yet: http://www.google.co.uk/intl/en/policies/privacy/ . Maybe it is not as onerous as Amazon's offering: http://www.zdnet.com/blog/networking/no ... -drive/882

But I am not a lawyer, so like most people I wouldn't understand the full implications of what is written.

A poll on this site: http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2012/04/goog ... x-support/ indicates that 64% of respondents would use the service (April 20th 2012), I thought we would see how the MInt community feels about it so I have started a similar poll here. (If you choose to vote just assume that a Linux client for this service is available already)

Personally I use a combination of Dropbox and SpiderOak. SpiderOak is good because it encrypts all your personal data and does not hold any encryption keys so they are unable to read anything, but they only offer 2Gb space for free and have pretty slow servers and a slightly complicated interface - but it is Linux compatible. I am voting 'No' myself, on privacy grounds primarily but also on the grounds that I don't need any extra online storage space at present. That may not always be the case of course, so I could change my mind in the future, but I hope I don't end up being seduced by it

[xenopeek]

I'm currently using Dropbox for online storage, though I only use the web client and only for storing backups (with multi-layer encryption applied before uploading).

[Habitual]

I have my own Private Virtual DataCenters.

[monkeyboy]

Google drive is just another service I won't use, not because I fear for my privacy just because its irrelevant to my needs. Enjoy

[xenopeek]

I have my own Private Virtual DataCenters.

[tdockery97]

Google drive is just another service I won't use, not because I fear for my privacy just because its irrelevant to my needs. Enjoy

+1. I use Google as my primary search engine, as my webmail provider, and Chrome as my favorite browser, so I have no ill feelings toward Google by any means. I just don't maintain any critical data electronically, so cloud storage is simply irrelevant to me.

[KBD47]

I like dropbox and have some music on Amazon's cloud. I would not be interested in letting Google stick its nose in even more of my business than it already does. My guess is this drive service is in preparing for their upcoming tablet.
KBD47

[aes2011]

Google drive is just another service I won't use, not because I fear for my privacy just because its irrelevant to my needs. Enjoy

+1. I use Google as my primary search engine, as my webmail provider, and Chrome as my favorite browser, so I have no ill feelings toward Google by any means. I just don't maintain any critical data electronically, so cloud storage is simply irrelevant to me.

I'm not sure whether Google Docs is relevant to this poll, but it does have an offline option (for just viewing files) which is the earth-bound equivalent of a backup of the stuff in the "cloud". The offline option does require Chrome as the browser. I've started using Google Docs, mainly the spreadsheet part, and quite like it. So, yes, I'll be using Google Drive if it becomes a reality.

[bimsebasse]

My USB pen drive is my cloud.

[GregE]

Google drive is just another service I won't use, not because I fear for my privacy just because its irrelevant to my needs. Enjoy

+1. I use Google as my primary search engine, as my webmail provider, and Chrome as my favorite browser, so I have no ill feelings toward Google by any means. I just don't maintain any critical data electronically, so cloud storage is simply irrelevant to me.

I'm not sure whether Google Docs is relevant to this poll, but it does have an offline option (for just viewing files) which is the earth-bound equivalent of a backup of the stuff in the "cloud". The offline option does require Chrome as the browser. I've started using Google Docs, mainly the spreadsheet part, and quite like it. So, yes, I'll be using Google Drive if it becomes a reality.

There is a neat extension called OpenOffice.org2GoogleDocs for LibreOffice (and OpenOffice) that lets you use Google Docs storage directly from inside Writer or Calc. It works with Zoho as well.

Docs now also comes with 5Gb of storage so effectively we have Goggle Drive already (at least for LibreOffice Docs) even if there is not yet a native client.

[OldManHook]

Voted # 3 Why would any one trust Online Storage
My NAS Gives me all the storage i Need And i do use Google for search

[craigevil]

at this point Drive is just docs renamed. Already had a ton of junk in docs so having more space is nice. I use Box mostly can't beat 50GB free.

Sent from my MOTWX435KT using Tapatalk 2

[GregE]

Voted # 3 Why would any one trust Online Storage
My NAS Gives me all the storage i Need And i do use Google for search

The problem comes when someone breaks into your house and takes all your computers and your NAS. The world is not divided into either/or, you can keep some things on a USB stick at work, some on a NAS and some in the cloud. And multiple copies on each.

If you were a student you would be a mug not to use something like the G drive as well as local storage. Not being able to hand in your thesis after a years work because some low life cleaned out your possessions would be very sad. Meanwhile your competitor in the same position just logs in using a borrowed computer and prints his/her work like nothing happened. And the excuse of "the dog ate my USB stick" is pretty lame when Google offer this for nothing.

You do not have to trust, just use multiple tools to cover your bases.

[Garvan]

I voted "no, I will use another option", because when I tried to register I was asked for credit card details, and told that I would be charged for overusing the storage and download limits. I share credit card details sparingly, and for now I have no need for additional space (I use both dropbox and spideroak). I am concerned by the information google holds on me, but not yet paranoid. Also the end user agreement is not as good as spideroak or dropbox. Google wants full rights to copy and translate your data.

Garvan

A link to an article on the end user agreement.
http://chiefofficers.net/888333888/cms/index.php/news/management/biz_law_central/intellectual_property/intellectual_property_how_google_can_own_your_rights

[xenopeek]

[sunewbie]

I have an account of dropbox to help my friend 500 mb, but never used it. dont need to . I simply backup on DVD (verbatim gold archival serives and JVC (taiyo yuden) archival series and also on HDD. This is enough for me.

I also have limited 5GB @5 mbps connection so I have to use it wisely

[Goz]

My USB pen drive is my cloud.

So is mine,plus Drop Box. And no way is Google getting my credit card info and running willy-nilly with my whatever.

[KBD47]

Next Google will be asking for X-Rays and Blood Test Results!

[colyn]

My USB pen drive is my cloud.

I have several 1TB drives for storage of my digital images which I trust more so than any cloud service..

Since I use redundant backup I can lose a drive and still have all of my images..

[sunewbie]

Next Google will be asking for X-Rays and Blood Test Results!

Nice one Thank God, they are not asking for DNA testing

but still I do not hate google