How to use cloud. Cloud data storage – virtual flash drive for any device
Cloud data storage, what is it and why are they needed? The answer is simple - this is a replacement for the usual flash drives or disks, because why carry around a storage medium with data and waste time if you can store and transfer files using the cloud! And for business it is handy tool for remote work with documents. Well, or if you simply don’t have enough memory on your device and it doesn’t even help anymore, in this case cloud drive will be the solution. Transferring files via the cloud is absolutely safe: you decide who will have access to the data!
What is cloud storage?
Cloud storage is a space allocated to you on numerous servers of the service provider; the file storage system is decentralized - two of your files can be on completely different servers! We upload the file using the application to the server and it goes to the “cloud”. Depending on your wishes and needs, the files can be either publicly or only privately accessible: to selected people. Files from the cloud can only be accessed via the Internet, making files accessible to you anywhere and from any device.
Pros and benefits of cloud storage
- Files are available EVERYWHERE there is internet: you can access from your phone or PC
- Save space or expand memory: Photos and videos can be stored in the cloud to save space
- High file transfer speed thanks to a wide geographical network of servers and CDN
- Storage reliability: even if one server fails, there are copies of the data on other servers
- Excellent opportunities for businesses and remote employees: one file is available for editing by everyone with access!
There is only one minus - you need internet:)
How to start using Cloud Storage and which one to choose
- In order to start using cloud storage, you need to download the client program and install it. If you don't know what to choose, read our "".
- To upload a file or photo to the cloud, follow the prompts built into the application, otherwise look for the “+” icon or the inscription “Upload”
- Now all you have to do is set up access from outside to your files: it will be only you, or the owners of the direct link that you create will have access
To transfer your file or folder from the cloud to another user, you need to give him a link: to find it, click on the desired file or folder, find the link and send it to whoever needs to give access to the file in your cloud.
Cloud storage remains an established type of service in our lives. They experienced rapid growth, experienced market oversaturation, when new “clouds” opened almost every week, and experienced a recession when these same “clouds” began to close one by one. And now we are faced with simply a type of service that has become established and has become commonplace, has stood the test of time, taking into account the features and speed of modern industry.
There are quite a lot of cloud storages. Each has its own characteristics and its own audience. Some people choose only one “cloud”, others use several at once. We have chosen the ten most interesting of them. One of the criteria for this top is a free plan with free cloud space so that every user can try it out for themselves. No trial, just a free plan with free space.
10. pCloud
Quite an interesting and rapidly developing cloud. The cloud blog is updated almost every week, and it is clear that the developers are actively working on it. They give you 10 GB for free, but only after a few simple steps. You can get a few more GB. There is a referral system that will also allow you to increase your free space. It is also interesting that pCloud, in addition to the monthly and annual subscription fee for advanced features, also has a one-time purchase tariff, you simply pay a certain amount and increase the volume of your cloud, forever, it is difficult to remember which cloud still does this.
9. MEGA
Encrypted storage from Kim Dotcom. There were rumors that the cloud was taken away from him, about other unpleasant vicissitudes in the management of MEGA, but this does not prevent the cloud storage from developing and existing. The cloud is built on a fairly high level of encryption; to make working with the web version more comfortable, it is better to install a special browser extension to make the decoding process much faster. There are applications for all popular operating systems. The main thing that attracts many is that MEGA gives 50 GB on the free plan. This volume was at the start, and it remains so to this day.
8.MediaFire
One of the oldest services in this top, it works well, but is developing quite slowly. There is no version for computers, so you have to use the web version, but the mobile apps are fine.
MediaFire started as a file hosting service, but in time it realized the decline of such services and repurposed itself into cloud storage. Old users and those who managed to fall under the promotion have 50 GB of free space, while the rest are given 10 GB, but sometimes it becomes possible to increase the amount of available space for free.
7.Box
Another time-tested cloud storage. Box was originally focused on business and this has allowed it to survive to this day and have a loyal user base. They give 10 GB for free, and sometimes there are promotions to get 50 GB of free space. But the free plan has many limitations. All these restrictions will be removed if you upgrade to a subscription.
6. Cloud Mail.Ru
The Mail.Ru Cloud launched with 100 GB of free space, then there was a promotion where you could get 1 TB for free, then the volume was significantly reduced, and new accounts are given a meager amount of space. The cloud has a built-in audio player, integration with Office Online and continues to receive new features and support for new formats, but instability with free volume does not allow it to rise higher in the ranking.
5. Yandex.Disk
Surprisingly stable, in terms of volume, cloud storage from Yandex. At launch they gave 10 GB of free storage. Several years have passed, and 10 GB remains, but there are constant promotions when you can either temporarily get free volume or increase your cloud on an ongoing basis. Let's add support here large number formats, integration with Office Online and continuous development of applications.
At the end of 2017, Disk also spun off. Everything you upload to Yandex.Disk from your phone will not be taken into account when calculating the total volume. Apparently this is not a promotion, since no deadlines are given. There are also no size restrictions, which makes this opportunity even better than Google Photos.
4.iCloud
If you love Apple technology, then you have definitely come across this cloud storage. Many applications work through it, backup and synchronization occur. You can also use iCloud as your usual cloud storage. Let's add here a screwed-on office suite from Apple and an application for Windows and we'll get a good cloud storage with a loyal fan base.
But if you don't use Apple products, it's more for you the best option Any other cloud storage in this top will become, since it will give you more options.
3. Dropbox
It is Dropbox that is considered the service that started the “explosive” growth of cloud storage. Dropbox was one of the first to popularize this type services, and although now he doesn’t have better times, the service continues to develop and gain new opportunities. Dropbox only gives you 2 GB for free. Promotions increasing the free volume have not been carried out for a long time, and restrictions free plan prevented from using the cloud to its full potential. Unfortunately, Dropbox is no longer the ideal cloud storage solution.
2.OneDrive
Cloud storage from Microsoft. There is tight integration with the Office Online office suite, which is also integrated into other cloud storage services, with the consent of Microsoft. By default, it is integrated into Windows 8.1 and Windows 10. The format support is also quite extensive. Working in this cloud, many users can safely abandon the full package Microsoft Office or Microsoft Office 365, which provide only advanced capabilities for more professional tasks.
When purchasing a subscription to Microsoft Office 365, you are also given 1 TB of OneDrive space as a bonus. So many simply do not expand the cloud volume on a paid basis, but simply purchase a subscription to Office, and at the same time increase the cloud space.
1. Google Drive
Google cloud storage has the largest number of supported file formats, which can be expanded with additional cloud extensions. Office documents small volumes, as well as photos and videos with a small expansion - are not taken into account when calculating the available space in the cloud. And this space is 15 GB.
Cloud integrated with cloud office suite Google Docs, which has a simple and user-friendly interface, which is why it is preferred by many for use as the main office suite. Relatively recent applications Google Drive and Google Photos were combined into one application, called Google Backup and Sync. There were rumors about an application for Linux, but so far many continue to use unofficial clients and this is almost the only serious drawback of the leader of the current top.
To exchange files between computers and mobile gadgets, you no longer need cables and flash drives. If devices have Internet access, files can “fly” between them “on the cloud.” More precisely, they can “settle” in cloud storage, which is a collection of servers scattered around the world (combined into one virtual - cloud server), where users post their data for a fee or for free. In the cloud, files are stored in exactly the same way as on a computer’s hard drive, but are accessible not from one, but from different devices that are able to connect to it.
Every second or third Internet user has already adopted cloud data storage technology and uses it with pleasure, but some still resort to flash drives. After all, not everyone knows about this opportunity, and some simply cannot decide which service to choose and how to use it. Well, let's figure it out together.
What are cloud storages from a user's point of view and how do they work?
If you look through the eyes of an inexperienced user, cloud storage is an ordinary application. All it does is create a folder on the computer under its own name. But not simple. Everything you put into it is simultaneously copied to the same cloud Internet server and becomes accessible from other devices. The size of this folder is limited and can grow within the limits of the disk space allocated to you (on average from 2 GB).
If the cloud storage application is running and the computer (mobile gadget) is connected to global network, data on the hard drive and in the cloud are synchronized in real time. At battery life, and also when the application is not running, all changes are saved only in local folder. When the machine is connected to the Internet, access to the storage becomes possible, including through a browser.
Files and folders uploaded to the cloud are full-fledged web objects, the same as any content on Internet sites and FTP storages. You can link to them and share links with other people, even those who do not use this service. But only those to whom you have authorized it will be able to download or see an object from your storage. In the cloud, your data is hidden from prying eyes and is securely password protected.
The majority of cloud services have additional functionality - a file viewer, built-in document editors, tools for creating screenshots, etc. This, plus the amount of space provided, creates the main differences between them.
— cloud service data storage that needs no introduction to Windows users. Of course, in the latest releases of this OS (in the top ten), it actually climbs on top of everything on the screen, since it is configured to autorun by default.
For Windows users, the advantage of the service is Microsoft OneDrive Compared to analogues, there is, perhaps, only one thing - it does not need to be installed. There is also no need to create a separate account for it - to log into the cloud you just need to enter your details account Microsoft.
The owner of one Microsoft OneDrive account provides 5 GB of free disk space to store any information. To get additional volume, you will have to pay extra. The maximum is 5 TB and costs 3,399 rubles per year, however, this package includes not only disk space, but also Office application 365 (home release). More affordable tariff plans are 1 TB (2,699 rubles per year - storage and Office 365 personal) and 50 GB (140 rubles per month - storage only).
Additional features all tariffs:
- Support for other operating systems - Mac OS X, iOS and Android.
- View and edit documents using built-in Office applications.
- Remote access to the entire contents of the computer (not just the OneDrive folder) on which the service is installed and your account is used Microsoft entry.
- Creation of photo albums.
- Built-in messenger (Skype).
- Creation and storage of text notes.
- Search.
Paid versions only:
- Creating links with a limited validity period.
- Offline folders.
- Multi-page scanning and saving documents to a PDF file.
In general, the service is not bad, but sometimes there are problems logging into your account. If you are going to work with the web version of the storage (via a browser) and log into it under a different IP address than you used before, Microsoft sometimes runs a check that the account belongs to you, which takes a lot of time.
There have also been complaints about user content being removed from OneDrive when Microsoft suspected it was unlicensed.
is one of the oldest cross-platform cloud storage services. Unlike the previous one, it supports all major operating systems, as well as some less commonly used ones, such as Symbian and MeeGo. The service is very easy to use, works quickly and stably.
A DropBox user is provided with only 2 GB of disk space for free to store personal files, but this volume can be doubled by creating and attaching another account to your account - a work one (which can actually be personal). Together you get 4 GB.
Switching between personal and work disk space on the DropBox website and in the application is carried out without logging out of your account (no need to enter your username and password each time). An account is created on the computer for both accounts. separate folder— 2 GB each.
DropBox, as expected, also has several tariff plans. About free it was said above, Paid ones are “Plus” (1 TB, $8.25 per month, intended for personal use), “Standard” (2 TB, $12.50 per month, for business), “Advanced” (unlimited volume, $20 per month for 1 user) and “Enterprise” (unlimited volume, individually set price). The differences between the last two lie in the set of additional options.
Free users In addition to the storage, the following are available:
- Document collaboration service DropBox Paper.
- Ability to share links and create public folders.
- Log of file changes with the ability to restore them to the previous version (up to 30 days).
- Commenting on files - both your own and other users, if the file is available for viewing.
- Search function.
- Receiving notifications about events (customizable individually).
- Automatic download photos from the camera (by the way, DropBox provided users with additional space for enabling this option some time ago).
- Select full or selective synchronization.
- Encryption of data during storage and transmission.
The possibilities of paid tariffs can be listed for a very long time, so we will only note the main ones:
- Remotely destroy data from DropBox on a lost or stolen device.
- Limit the link's validity period.
- Two-factor verification account authenticity.
- Setting access levels to different data.
- Enhanced HIPAA/HITECH class information protection (secure storage of medical records).
- 24/7 technical support.
DropBox, if not the best, is a very worthy service. Despite the small amount of free space by today's standards, it is used by millions of people around the world.
Mega (Megasync)
As is clear from the description, Amazon Web Services is aimed only at the corporate sector and is not intended for storing albums with photographs of cats, although it is possible that someone uses it for this. After all, cloud file storage - Amazon Glacier, like Yandex disk, provides users with 10 free GB. The cost of additional volume is $0.004 per 1 GB per month.
Comparing Amazon Glacier with the web resources described above is perhaps incorrect, since they have slightly different purposes. The functionality and capabilities of this service are determined by business objectives, including:
- Uninterrupted operation, increased reliability.
- Compliance enhanced protection data.
- Multilingual interface.
- Unlimited volume (expansion for an additional fee).
- Ease of use and flexible settings.
- Integration with other Amazon Web Services.
Those who are interested in Amazon's capabilities can read the complete documentation for AWS products, which is located on the official website.
Mail.ru
It ranks second or third in the popularity rating of file web storage among Russian-speaking audiences. In terms of its range of capabilities, it is comparable to Google Drive and Yandex Drive: like them, it contains web applications for creating and editing documents (texts, tables, presentations) and a screenshoter (a utility for taking screenshots). It is also integrated with other Mail.ru projects - mail, social networks “My World” and “Odnoklassniki”, the “Mail. Dating”, etc., has a convenient file viewer with a flash player and is also very affordable (for those who do not have enough allocated space).
The size of the free disk space of the Mail cloud is 8 GB (previously this figure has changed several times). The premium tariff for 64 GB costs 690 rubles per year. For 128 GB you will have to pay 1,490 rubles per year, for 256 GB - 2,290 rubles per year. The maximum volume is 512 GB, which will cost 3,790 rubles per year.
Other functions of the service are not much different from similar ones. This:
- Shared folders.
- Synchronization.
- Built-in search.
- Ability to share links.
The Mail.ru client application works on Windows, OS X, iOS and Android.
Cloud storage is a proprietary web service for owners of smartphones and tablets of the same manufacturer. Designed for storage backup copies data from mobile devices - multimedia content, OS files and other things at the discretion of the user.
Client Samsung app Cloud is pre-installed on phones and tablets released later than the second half of 2016 (more precisely, after the release Samsung Galaxy Note 7). Registering an account on the service is only possible through it, apparently to weed out outsiders.
The free storage capacity is 15 GB. An additional 50GB costs $0.99 per month, and 200GB costs $2.99.
iCloud (Apple)
- a favorite among cloud data storage users of Apple products. Of course, it’s free (though not very spacious) and integrated with other Apple services. The service is designed to store backup copies of data from iPhone, iPad and iPod, as well as user media files, mail and documents (the latter are automatically synchronized with the contents of iCloud Drive).
Free iCloud storage capacity is 5 GB. Additional storage retails for $0.99 for 50GB, $2.99 for 200GB, and $9.99 for 2TB.
The iCloud client app supports operating Mac systems OS X, iOS and Windows. There is no official application for Android, but owners of devices based on this OS can view mail from the Apple cloud on their device.
The top parade of cloud storages is completed by a Chinese service. As you can see from the screenshot, it is clearly not adapted for you and me. Why is it needed then, if there are domestic, European and American analogues that are more familiar to Russian-speaking people? The fact is that Baidu provides users with a whole terabyte of free disk space. For this reason, it is worth overcoming translation difficulties and other obstacles.
Registration on Baidu Cloud is significantly more labor-intensive than competitors. It requires confirmation with a code sent via SMS, but SMS from the Chinese server does not arrive to Russian, Belarusian and Ukrainian numbers. Our fellow citizens have to get by with the help of rent virtual number phone, but that's not all. The second difficulty is that an account cannot be registered for some addresses email. In particular, on the services gmail (Google is blocked in China), fastmail and Yandex. And the third difficulty is the need to install mobile application Baidu Cloud on your phone or tablet, since that’s what you get for 1 TB (if you register on a computer, you will only get 5 GB). And it, as you understand, is entirely in Chinese.
Aren't you scared? Dare - and you will be rewarded. Information on how to create an account on Baidu yourself is available on the Internet.
The cloud is a service where you can store data and easily manage it. That is, you can upload your files to it, work with them directly on the Internet, download them at any time, and also transfer them to another person.
Any user can get such a service at their disposal completely free of charge. In fact it's your own hard drive on the Internet.
You could say it's something like Local disk computer, but only with the ability to use it on any device with Internet access. Plus, you can transfer files to other users by simply sending them a download link.
So, the cloud is needed to:
- Store files and folders with files
- Work with them on any computer or smartphone that has the Internet
- Easily and quickly transfer files to other people
Thus, it replaces flash drives, disks and other devices for transferring information.
That is, I can upload the files I need to such a service and work with them on any other computer where there is Internet. These can be documents, books, music, videos - in general, any files.
Initially, they are available only to me, but if I wish, I can make some of them public. Then they can be downloaded.
That is, a special Internet address (link) will be generated where the file can be saved to your computer. I can send this address to any person (for example, on Skype or via mail), and the person will be able to download my file.
Where and how to get the cloud
There are sites that provide clouds to users. It's like with mail: there are sites where you can get it. We go to such a site, register and get a cloud service for storing data.
We are allocated a certain free volume. On some services it is a very decent 50-100 GB. If you want more, it's for money.
Or you can register several times and, accordingly, receive several free volumes. Everything is free, everything is legal!
The easiest way to get a cloud is to do it where you have your mail. The fact is that the largest email sites (Yandex, Mail, Gmail) distribute such services for free. You just need to want it.
That is, you don’t even need to register. Just open your mail and indicate that you want to receive the cloud. They give it to you right away.
Sites that give away clouds for free
Yandex.Disk is a cloud service from Yandex. If you have mail there, then you also have such a disk. 10 GB is given free of charge and forever.
To receive Yandex.Disk, you need to open the website yandex.ru and go to your mail. Then open the “Disk” tab (at the top).
They will greet you and offer to download a special program onto your computer for comfortable work with Yandex.Disk.
It’s better not to do this right away - you can always install it later. I recommend closing this window and first learning how to use Yandex.Disk without the program.
That's it! Upload files, sort them, share, delete. In general, you already have a cloud. There are even some files and folders with files already loaded onto it for example.
To further access Yandex.Disk, you need to follow the same steps: open the yandex.ru website, open your email, go to the “Disk” tab.
Or you can install and configure a special program “Disk for Windows” and use the cloud directly from your computer - without going to the website yandex.ru
Cloud Mail.ru is a service from the mail site mail.ru. 25 GB is given free of charge.
To receive this goodness you just need to have mailbox mail.ru. If you have it, then you also have a cloud.
To enter it, you need to open the mail.ru website and open your mail. Then click on the “Cloud” button at the top.
Your personal cloud service will open. Some example files are already loaded into it. You can remove them, or you can leave them. In general, your cloud is already ready to go.
You can use it directly, via email, or you can download and install a special application (program). Then the cloud will be accessible directly from the computer - a shortcut will appear on the Desktop to instantly open it.
Google Drive is a service that is “attached” to gmail.com. 15 GB is allocated for free.
To get into it, you need to go to your email account on the website gmail.com. Then click on the picture with small squares next to your name (top right) and click on the “Disk” item.
Perhaps after this Google will ask you a couple of questions. Below, in the pictures, it is shown what he should answer in this case.
After this, your personal cloud will load. It will already have a folder with several files. You can delete this folder with all its contents, or you can leave it - as you wish.
So, the disk is ready for use. You can start downloading!
It opens in exactly the same way - through mail. Or you can install a special program. Then it will be accessible from your computer.
It seemed to me that this cloud is much more difficult to use than all the others. Not everyone will understand. But there are certain advantages that other services do not have. For example, you can create a document, presentation, table, form or drawing right in it.
That is, a program for creating a file will open directly on the Internet the right type. It is quite simple and allows you to both create a file and save it to Google Drive, as well as download it to your computer in the desired format.
Such programs can be used instead of Word, Excel, Power Point. It is very convenient when you have to work on a computer on which they are not installed.
Which service is better
As various tests have shown, the “mail” clouds that I just talked about are superior in quality, convenience and free features to all other similar services.
I won’t go into details, but the places were distributed as follows:
Therefore, I recommend that you still use one of these services. If you don't have email box none of them, you just need to register. You will have new mail (which, by the way, you don’t have to use at all) and a cloud.
Of course, there are other sites where you can get a cloud service for free. But most of them have free versions There are various unpleasant restrictions.
But there is one that compares favorably with all the others (including the “postal” ones). It is best suited for transferring files to other people. His address: mega.co.nz
Mega - this service makes sense for those who host files for downloading. The fact is that through special downloader programs such as MiPony, they can be saved to your computer very quickly and easily. Much easier and faster than with other cloud services. 50 GB is allocated for free.
Initially the site opens on English. To switch to the Russian version, click on the Menu button (top right), select Language from the list, then click on Russian and the Save button.
Just in case, I’ll give you two more good cloud services:
Dropbox - 2 GB free.
One Drive - 7 GB free.
How to manage the cloud
You can manage it on the very site where you received it. Log in there with your username and password, go to a certain section and get access to the cloud.
And you can do this even easier, more conveniently and, most importantly, much faster: with the help of a small application (program).
Each service has its own, that is, you need to download it from the site where you have the cloud.
This application allows you to quickly and easily upload, watch, download files and folders with files from your cloud service. It takes up very little space, and you can install such a program on any computer or smartphone (not just yours).
How to install the application. Open your cloud and there will be a download link or button in a prominent place. The pictures below show where such a button is in “mail” cloud services.
Download the program file and open it. The installation will begin. Below are illustrated instructions for each “mail” service. Do everything as in the pictures and the application will install.
Yandex.Disk:
Cloud Mail.ru:
How to use the application
After installing the application, a program shortcut appears on the Desktop. With the help of it we will work with the cloud.
When you first launch the program, you will be asked to enter data from the cloud. Type your email address and password. Then agree to the terms of service and click “Login”.
Now, when you open the program icon, your cloud will open directly on your computer - in a regular folder.
Also, when an application is opened, its icon appears in the tray.
This is where the computer clock is - in the lower right corner of the screen (on the taskbar, where the other icons are).
This icon may be hidden under a small arrow next to the alphabet.
Using it you can control the application. To do this, click on it with the left or right mouse button.
File/folder synchronization. This is the most difficult part to understand, but you definitely need to understand it to successfully work with the application.
The point of synchronization is that the computer or smartphone on which the application is installed must connect to your cloud and download files from or to it.
This process must be completed, otherwise we will not be able to use the downloaded data. Synchronization occurs via the Internet. That is, without the Internet it is simply impossible.
Consider the following situation. My cloud already has downloaded files and folders with files.
By the way, initially, when you receive the cloud, it already has some information. So if you didn’t specifically delete it, then there are several files there.
I installed the application on my computer, opened it, entered my username and password. A folder with a cloud has opened. So, all the data that was on it initially should be uploaded to this folder. That is, my cloud and computer must be synchronized.
It turns out that all the files that are on the cloud are downloaded to my computer in this very folder. And if there are few of them and they are small in size, then this process will happen quickly - I may not even notice it.
But if the files are large and my Internet is not very fast, then synchronization will take some time.
In practice, it looks like this: I open an application shortcut and see an empty folder, although I know for sure that there are files on my cloud.
Usually in this case, users begin to get nervous - they worry that their files have been deleted. In fact, they are all there. But we don’t see them because the synchronization procedure has not yet been completed.
And this can be verified. When synchronization is in progress, the application icon (the one in the tray) seems to move.
And if we click on it, then in the menu that opens there will be an item indicating the progress of the process.
In fact, at this moment, files are downloaded from the Internet. That is, the Internet itself may work slower because of this.
If necessary, synchronization can be turned off. To do this, click on the application icon in the tray and select the appropriate item from the menu. By the way, you can completely exit the program there.
In general, while synchronization is in progress, the files will not be accessible. The same thing happens when transferring information from a computer to the cloud.
How to upload a file (folder with files) to the cloud. To do this you just need to copy necessary files, and then paste them into the application folder.
Copying/pasting occurs as usual, but after this all transferred files should be synchronized. Otherwise, they will not be uploaded to the Internet on your cloud.
In the Cloud Mail.ru application, this process occurs instantly. Moreover, even for large files (from 1 GB).
In the Yandex.Disk program, synchronization takes some time, but it still happens quickly.
For me, on a fairly slow Internet, a 1 GB file downloaded in just a few minutes. If directly uploaded to the cloud (without an application), this process would take more than an hour.
But Google Drive lags behind in this regard. Apparently this application works using a different technology, and synchronization takes the same amount of time as a regular file download.
My results may differ from yours. Perhaps your synchronization process will be faster or, on the contrary, slower than mine.
How to download a file (folder with files) from the cloud. All files that you want to download to your computer or phone from the application must be fully synchronized.
You can transfer them to your computer by simply copying them. That is, open the application, copy the necessary files and paste them into the computer folder of your choice. That's it! A couple of seconds - and the files are downloaded.
Cons of cloud services
Everything has both pros and cons. And cloud services also have them. I will list the main ones:
1. Memory consumption. In other words, the work of cloud services “stresses” the computer. In the case of Yandex.Disk and Cloud.Mail.ru, the load is insignificant, but Google Drive is quite voracious. Modern computers This may not be noticed, but the old ones will have to puff.
2. Security. Since the cloud is an Internet service, there is always a certain chance that your files could fall into the wrong hands. Certainly, modern technologies Data protection minimizes this probability, but there is always a risk. Moreover, the service is public.
3. Internet required. Without the Internet, you will not be able to use any cloud service.
Additional information
In case the information provided in this lesson is not enough for you.
Each cloud service has detailed instructions by use. Users don’t particularly like it, but it does contain a lot of useful and interesting information.
Recently, not only computer, but also mobile technologies. In this regard, the issue of secure storage of relatively large volumes of information has become very acute. And it is for this purpose that many IT corporations offer users of any type of device the use of so-called cloud services. How to use the cloud and services that are included in the basic kit of any developer will now be discussed.
What is cloud storage?
First, let’s define what kind of service this is. Roughly speaking, this is file storage in the form of allocated disk space for a company providing such services.
In other words, in a sense, it can be called a kind of virtual flash drive on which a certain amount of data is placed. However, if you need to constantly carry a USB device with you to access downloaded information, then such a service (for example, the Mail.Ru cloud or the corresponding Google service) can be accessed both from a computer and from a mobile device. That is, the files are synchronized in the cloud itself, and you can view or download them simply by entering your registration data (although in some cases this is not required).
Quite a lot has already been written about how to use the cloud. Now let’s pay attention to some main points, and also consider the simplest principles of its use, explaining the situation in detail.
Most popular services
It goes without saying that initially, to use such storages, you need to decide on a service provider, that is, choose the most suitable service for yourself
Today you can find quite a lot of such services. The most popular are the following:
- Dropbox.
- SkyDrive.
- Cloud Mail.Ru.
- "Yandex.Disk".
- Google Drive (Google Disk).
- Apple iCloud and iCloud Drive.
- OneDrive, etc.
Before we figure out how to use each type of cloud, it should be noted that these services are somewhat uneven when compared to each other. The fact is that some repositories can be accessed exclusively from a computer terminal, while others require synchronization of both computers and mobile devices. Sometimes you may need a specialized application that plays the role of a kind of conductor, sometimes just an Internet browser is enough.
The same applies to freely allocated disk space for storing your files, as well as payment for additional space on a remote server. In any case, most services are very similar to each other.
What should you pay attention to before starting work?
Now let's look at some important points, without which the use of cloud services is out of the question.
The very first and most important thing is pre-registration, and in some cases it is absolutely unimportant whether it will be done via the Internet using a regular browser or a special computer or mobile application. The whole process takes a few minutes.
Mobile devices with operating systems installed on them differ favorably from stationary systems. The fact is that when you turn it on for the first time, to access some advanced functions or stores like AppStore or Google Play (Play Market) The system initially prompts you to create an account (registered email address and password). At the same time, your smartphone or tablet already has a pre-installed application for working with cloud services. For convenience, you can install their desktop counterparts on a computer or laptop (although access can also be obtained through a browser).
Allocable disk space
Another important point is the amount of disk space that the user initially receives in the free version. As a rule, the volume on different services ranges from 5 to 50 GB. If this is not enough, you will have to increase the storage capacity and pay a certain amount for it, which includes the cost of purchasing more volume and maintenance for a certain period of use, which, by the way, can also vary.
General principles
As for how to use the cloud in the broadest sense, everything is quite simple. After registration, the user only needs to add folders and files, contacts and much more to the storage.
At the same time, in the settings section, he can add friends who, like him, will upload files to the server or edit them (the simplest example is Dropbox). Often, new users can use their own passwords to log into the system.
But here's what's interesting. When installing special program On a computer, access to files in the cloud is much faster than when launching the same Internet browser. The same can be said about synchronization. It is enough to place the files in the application folder, and synchronization will be performed instantly for all users who have access rights to the service. Let's look at the most popular storage facilities.
Cloud Mail.Ru
So, as mentioned above, you will first need to create an email account, after entering which the cloud service will be displayed in the panel at the top in the projects tab. This is the Mile cloud. How to use it? It couldn't be simpler.
Initially, 25 GB of disk space is offered. carried out using the corresponding button, which can be used to add several objects at once. The limitation concerns only the size of the uploaded file - it should not exceed 2 GB. Before starting the download, you can use additional features, for example, create and then just as easily files can be moved and deleted. Please note: it does not have a “Trash”, as in the same Yandex service, so it will not be possible to restore deleted information.
The function of creating, viewing or editing files can be very useful. Let's say we have Word document(or it is created directly in the repository). Changing it directly in the cloud can be as easy as if the user were launching the editor on a computer. Upon completion of work, we save the changes, after which synchronization occurs again.
Yandex cloud: how to use?
With the Yandex service, in principle, things are almost identical. The functional set, in general, does not differ much.
But the developers of this service thought that the user could delete files completely by accident. This is where the so-called “Trash” comes to the rescue, into which information is placed when deleted. It works like a standard computer service. True, data recovery tools are not applicable to it if they have already been deleted from the Recycle Bin. Nevertheless, the function is very useful.
Google Drive storage
Now let's move on to another powerful service called Google Cloud. How to use Google Drive? There are no fundamental differences compared to other services. But here access can be obtained both from a mobile device (built-in service) and using a utility installed on a computer (not to mention logging in via an Internet browser). With a phone or tablet everything is simple, let’s look at the computer program.
We assume that the account has already been created. After activation, the user receives 5 GB of storage. An increase to 25 GB will cost approximately 2.5 USD. We install the application on the computer, after which the service folder appears on the Desktop (it is also displayed in Explorer).
As is already clear, just place the files in this directory and synchronization will occur. During operation, the program “hangs” in the system tray as an icon. Right-clicking opens an additional menu where you can view the available space for downloading files, make personalized settings, expand storage space, shut down, etc.
One point is especially worth noting here. As it turns out, copy the files to the program folder on your computer, and then download them from the cloud to mobile device It turns out to be much faster than connecting the gadget to a computer and then copying using Windows.
iCloud and iCloud Drive services
Finally, let's look at how to use the Apple cloud. There are two services (iCloud and iCloud Drive) that are pre-installed on the iPhone or iPad according to the version operating system installed on the device. Essentially, iCloud Drive is an updated version of iCloud, and for it to work correctly, I should take into account that the mobile gadget must meet the stated technical requirements: iOS 8 on the device itself. Computer - Windows 7 or higher with iCloud extension for Windows or a computer terminal running Mac OS X 10.10 or OS X Yosemite.
Initially, after logging into the service, folders created by default will be displayed there. Their number may vary depending on the settings of the computer and the client on mobile device. How to use the cloud on iPhone? In principle, there is nothing supernatural about this. It is enough to launch the application on the gadget (switch the launch slider to the on state) and log in using your account. It’s another matter when the input is supposed to be from a computer. Here you will need to use the settings menu of the program itself and select enable there.
Another disadvantage is the rather low synchronization speed (this is recognized by everyone). And one more, most unpleasant moment. If you switch from iCloud to iCloud Drive without updating all devices to the required configuration, the data in the old cloud will simply be inaccessible, so be vigilant.
Conclusion
That’s briefly all that concerns the question of how to use the Cloud application or services of the same name. Of course, not all the possibilities of such services are considered here, but, so to speak, only general principles(basics) of work. However, even with such minimal knowledge, any newly registered user will be able to carry out basic operations within 5-10 minutes.
