{"id":3251,"date":"2013-02-22T10:30:25","date_gmt":"2013-02-22T10:30:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.microsofttraining.net\/b\/?p=36"},"modified":"2023-12-30T23:06:23","modified_gmt":"2023-12-30T23:06:23","slug":"which-cloud-storage-is-best-for-me","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.stl-training.co.uk\/b\/which-cloud-storage-is-best-for-me\/","title":{"rendered":"Which Cloud Storage Is Best For Me?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cloud storage is everywhere<\/h2>\n

Cloud based services are\u00a0increasingly become a part\u00a0of\u00a0our\u00a0day-to-day\u00a0lives. During the early stages of using\u00a0online storage\u00a0users were unsure whether or not storing their\u00a0private\u00a0data on a remote server was a safe alternative to storing it locally. However\u00a0consumer confidence has increased and the services have reached a maturity where they are viable options for file storage.\u00a0Additional\u00a0software such as\u00a0Office 365 now\u00a0utilises\u00a0The Cloud\u00a0so\u00a0consumers\u00a0can\u00a0operate programs such as Word, PowerPoint and Excel 2013\u00a0through\u00a0Microsoft Office 365<\/a>\u00a0remotely.\u00a0In this post I will examine some of the contenders and help you decide which cloud storage service is best for you.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Options<\/h2>\n

There\u00a0are\u00a0a wide range of choices for online storage services.\u00a0I’m going to concentrate on the offerings from\u00a0the big three: Google, Microsoft and Apple.<\/p>\n

Google Drive<\/h3>\n

The desktop interface for\u00a0Google Drive\u00a0Is very basic, everything Is laid out in an instinctive way\u00a0it’s\u00a0storage\u00a0system will be immediately recognizable\u00a0if you have used any of Google’s services.\u00a0Google Drive\u00a0easily allows users to share any folder in their account to someone else,\u00a0its\u00a0very simple\u00a0to share collaborative files<\/strong>. Another extremely useful feature\u00a0Google Drive\u00a0boasts is its interface that has the\u00a0ability to allow users to preview\u00a0files\u00a0in its own web app. For example, if you work in design and have uploaded a large JPEG you, and other users, are able to preview that file without having to download it\u00a0locally\u00a0onto your machine.<\/p>\n

\"Google-Drive-Logo\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Its mobile version is also extremely easy to\u00a0use,\u00a0overall\u00a0its ability to appeal to those who are not technically fluent in software<\/strong>\u00a0is something that shines through.\u00a0Google Drive\u00a0is available to download on both\u00a0iOS<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Android<\/a>\u00a0devices,\u00a0again this adds a great sense of connectivity\u00a0between users regardless of their platform.\u00a0You will see a much more fluid experience if you use Google Docs, Gmail and other products in the Google ecosystem.<\/p>\n

\"photo<\/a><\/p>\n

SkyDrive<\/h3>\n

Microsoft’s\u00a0SkyDrive\u00a0service is visually more appealing compared to\u00a0the\u00a0large areas of empty white space that\u00a0Dropbox\u00a0doesn’t make use of.\u00a0SkyDrive\u00a0has laid out its interface in a way that represents the Windows 8 \u2018tile’\u00a0operating system. Therefore\u00a0for Windows users this will be far more comfortable transition<\/strong>\u00a0if you’re trying to compare different cloud storage options. All the\u00a0tile icons\u00a0are also far easier to use, and their functions are far more direct. For example if you want to share a folder you simply click a check box, select share and enter the email of the person you want to share it to.<\/p>\n

\"Microsoft's<\/a><\/p>\n

SkyDrive\u00a0also boasts a very clean and simple app for both\u00a0iOS<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Android<\/a>.\u00a0Its ability to make functions clear to its user is something that particularly\u00a0stands out. For example you can easily\u00a0view recently adjusted documents and\u00a0see\u00a0which folders have been shared<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

iCloud<\/h3>\n

Instinctively a lot of users who may be considering this platform would be concerned about its compatibility if they\u00a0are\u00a0not an\u00a0iOS\u00a0or OSX system.\u00a0 To some extent\u00a0this is true,\u00a0if you do use\u00a0an\u00a0OSX machine its native software seamlessly allows the user to upload documents, photos and\u00a0other data\u00a0to\u00a0iCloud<\/strong>. However\u00a0iCloud\u00a0does have its own\u00a0browser based\u00a0interface, much like\u00a0SkyDrive\u00a0and Google Drive.\u00a0This does also look far more polished, and\u00a0feels like a\u00a0more complete\u00a0experience.<\/p>\n

\"Apple's<\/a><\/p>\n

Apple have separated their cloud based storage into seven different categories;\u00a0Calendar, iWork, Mail, Contacts, Reminders and Find My iPhone. Therefore\u00a0its entire directory is far more fluent and structured compared to\u00a0the\u00a0Microsoft\u00a0and Google service<\/strong>. It is worth noting however that 90% of these features are only really applicable if you have\u00a0iOS\/OSX connected\u00a0device.\u00a0The\u00a0interface does allow you to upload documents on\u00a0a\u00a0browser window however\u00a0it\u00a0lacks that universal connectivity between users\u00a0on other operating systems.<\/p>\n

Its mobile version is far more extensive than the other platforms available,\u00a0again though this really only applies\u00a0if you have an iPhone\u00a0or\u00a0other\u00a0iOS\u00a0device<\/strong>.\u00a0You can simply upload\u00a0photos\u00a0to your \u2018Photo\u00a0Stream’ which has the ability to invite anyone to\u00a0view\u00a0them. If they don’t have an\u00a0iOS\u00a0device to open them on it will prompt the user to use its\u00a0Internet\u00a0browser to view the photos, making the process feel slightly disjointed.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

Pro’s and Con’s<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Google Drive<\/h3>\n

Pro’s<\/strong>:\u00a0Google has established itself on both sides of the operating system war, sitting comfortably in the middle with a nice warm cup of hot chocolate. Therefore all their services are able to apply to both Windows and Macintosh users, including Google Drive.\u00a0Its\u00a0compatibility between\u00a0iOS,\u00a0Android\u00a0and Windows\u00a0devices allows users to view content wherever they may be, even if you’re not connected to the internet\u00a0you have the option\u00a0to make files viewable offline<\/strong>. The interface is also extremely regimented to the way Google’s homepage is designed, making it familiar to everyone.<\/p>\n

Con’s:<\/strong>\u00a0Although Google Drive is a sophisticatedly connected platform it does suffer from a relatively\u00a0stingy 5GB data allowance.\u00a0This may be a variable negative, depending on what you will be using Google Drive for. However if you plan on using Google Drive as an\u00a0integral part of your\u00a0working life<\/strong>\u00a0you will find this data\u00a0disappearing\u00a0fast. However, you are able to upgrade your storage capacity to 25GB a month for $2.50 a month or 100GB a month for $5.00. If you sign up to one of these plans you Gmail your account capacity will also be increased to 25GB!<\/p>\n

\"Google's<\/a><\/p>\n

Microsoft’s\u00a0SkyDrive<\/h3>\n

Pro’s<\/strong>:\u00a0The storage capacity is\u00a0generous,\u00a0users immediately get\u00a07GB\u00a0<\/strong>worth of storage for free.\u00a0If you’re working\u00a0towards creating creative content, with large file sizes,\u00a0SkyDrive\u00a0will be able accommodate these large files and share them between colleagues or friends. Another useful feature is the ability\u00a0to edit documents within its own dedicated\u00a0Office\u00a0web app.\u00a0For example if you have a\u00a0spreadsheet<\/strong>\u00a0you want to edit you can simply edit the file within the same browser window you already have open. It is also available to use for\u00a0Windows and Macintosh users, both on desktop browsers and mobile applications.<\/p>\n

Con’s<\/strong>:\u00a0The\u00a0main\u00a0downside to\u00a0SkyDrive\u00a0that I can think of is\u00a0the\u00a0inability to view files offline, a feature Google Drive offers. It would also be nice to see an update where users would receive an alert when new content is added or altered.<\/p>\n

\"Microsoft's<\/a><\/p>\n

Apple’s\u00a0iCloud<\/h3>\n

Pro’s:<\/strong>\u00a0For anyone that owns, or has owned, an Apple device will know if its brilliant ability to back up and\u00a0synchronise\u00a0every ounce of data on every\u00a0iOS\/OSX device you\u00a0own.\u00a0iCloud\u00a0is the front of this service, offering a slick interface that you would expect from Apple along with its\u00a0ability\u00a0to back up much more than just\u00a0documents\u00a0and photos.\u00a0Essentially\u00a0iCloud\u00a0is an all encompassing service that backs up your contacts, your emails and can\u00a0even help you track lost\u00a0or\u00a0stolen\u00a0iOS\u00a0devices<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Con’s<\/strong>:\u00a0Apple have always been a company that likes to keep its software and hardware integrated, therefore using services such as\u00a0iCloud\u00a0on\u00a0third party hardware such as Windows can be quite ineffective. Using the \u2018public website’ option on Photo Stream you can share photo’s and videos to those who don’t even have an\u00a0iCloud\u00a0account. However to share and edit content on the cloud can only be done providing you have an\u00a0iOS\/OSX device. The basic storage plan is also a rather small 5GB, the same as Google Drive.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a><\/p>\n

What Service Would Suit Which User?\u00a0A Summary Of\u00a0Each Service<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Google Drive:<\/strong> Google\u00a0Drive would best suit a user\u00a0who has no preference when it comes to buying\u00a0branded\u00a0hardware<\/strong>\u00a0whether it be an Apple, Windows or Google device. Its universal compatibility between hardware ensures that anyone that has the ability to share, open or edit content on the cloud. Its interface would also be suited for someone who doesn’t want to adapt to a new interface as it strictly follows\u00a0identifiable features that you would find on Google’s search page<\/strong>. Due to its initial storage restrictions\u00a0it\u00a0would also be ideal for anyone who\u00a0primarily\u00a0wants\u00a0to store documents with the odd photo\/video.<\/p>\n

Microsoft’s\u00a0SkyDrive:<\/strong>\u00a0SkyDrive\u00a0would be ideal for someone who\u00a0works with\u00a0large file sizes, such as\u00a0those who work in a creative environment<\/strong>, <\/strong>or deal with big data<\/strong>. Its\u00a07GB free storage immediately appeals to anyone who would want to share collaborative projects such as videos, digital designs or even audio files. Initially I would say that it would also suit most Windows users, however\u00a0Microsoft\u00a0have done a fantastic job in blurring that line between first and third party hardware.\u00a0Its tile interface, on the desktop version, would be instantly\u00a0recognisable\u00a0for the Windows user. However its simplicity and almost one-click functionality turns it into\u00a0a service that can be suited for anyone<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Apple’s\u00a0iCloud:<\/strong>\u00a0iCloud\u00a0boasts much more than just being a cloud storage service like Google Drive and\u00a0SkyDrive. It is perfect for someone who likes to be\u00a0organised, keeping\u00a0his or her\u00a0emails, contacts and even bookmarks in sync. However this does come at a cost, quite literally considering the price of Apple hardware.\u00a0To make use of this much wider service you will have to be an\u00a0iOS\/OSX user<\/strong>. Although Windows users can view and upload content to\u00a0iCloud\u00a0its entire integration is far more disjointed\u00a0and\u00a0difficult to\u00a0utilise. Generally though it is built around a connected triangle of those who use a Macintosh computer,\u00a0iPhone\u00a0and\u00a0iPad.<\/p>\n

Which service would you chose and why? And\u00a0do you think that Cloud based storage will eventually take over from locally stored content?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Want to learn more about how to create exceptional documents in Office\u00a02013 which\u00a0you can save and share on The Cloud?\u00a0Attend\u00a0a\u00a0Best STL Microsoft training\u00a0course<\/a>, available London and UK wide.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Cloud storage is everywhere Cloud based services are\u00a0increasingly become a part\u00a0of\u00a0our\u00a0day-to-day\u00a0lives. During the early stages of using\u00a0online storage\u00a0users were unsure whether or not storing their\u00a0private\u00a0data on a remote server was a safe alternative to storing it locally. However\u00a0consumer confidence has increased and the services have reached a maturity where they are viable options for file […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[160,307,390,493,517],"class_list":["post-3251","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-technology","tag-drive","tag-icloud","tag-office","tag-skydrive","tag-storage"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stl-training.co.uk\/b\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3251","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stl-training.co.uk\/b\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stl-training.co.uk\/b\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stl-training.co.uk\/b\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stl-training.co.uk\/b\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3251"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.stl-training.co.uk\/b\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3251\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6253,"href":"https:\/\/www.stl-training.co.uk\/b\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3251\/revisions\/6253"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.stl-training.co.uk\/b\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3251"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stl-training.co.uk\/b\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3251"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.stl-training.co.uk\/b\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3251"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}