Summary of currently available cloud storage options for students when writing and/or collaborating on documents.

1. Cloud Storage
for Students
Siobhan McCarthy
Reference & Instruction Librarian
siobhanmccarthy.com
Last updated 11/11/13

2. What is “Cloud Storage”?
“A file hosting service, cloud storage
service, online file storage provider, or
cyberlocker is[a] service specifically designed
to host user files. It allows users to upload files
that could then be accessed over the internet
from a different computer, tablet, smart phone
or other networked device, by the same user or
possibly by other users, after a password or
other authentication is provided.”
File hosting service. (2013, August 14). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved
19:40, September 17, 2013, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File_hosting_service&oldid=568434611

3. Advantages of Cloud Storage
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Convenience
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Security
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Ability to access files from any computer
connected to the Internet
Password required for sign-in
No flash drives to lose
File will not be left on the local machine
Currency

Always working with the most current version of
a document

4. Advantages of Cloud Storage
 Auto-saving

File will auto-save to the Internet, and not
be lost in case of power outage or
accidental disconnect
 Collaboration

Ability to share access to document, and
allow multiple people to edit it at once
 Cost

Free*
* In exchange for agreeing to the Terms of Service agreement

5. Most Popular Cloud Services
 Dropbox
 SkyDrive
(Microsoft)
 gDrive (Google)
Also…
 Box.com
 Zoho.com

6. Microsoft’s SkyDrive
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7GB free storage
Accessible to anyone with a Hotmail, Live, or
Outlook.com account
Desktop client available for Mac and PC
 Automatically syncs documents saved in the
folder to the Internet
 Easily sync between multiple computers
Can create and edit documents through web
interface in .docx format
http://skydrive.microsoft.com/

7. Google’s gDrive
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15GB of free storage (across all Google services)
Accessible to anyone with an existing Google or
Gmail account
Automatically save e-mail attachments from Gmail
Desktop client available for Mac and PC

Easily sync between multiple computers
Create and edit documents through web interface
Files are created in the proprietary Google
format, but can be saved/exported as .docx, .odt, or
.pdf
http://drive.google.com/
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Automatically syncs documents saved in the folder to
the Internet

8. Dropbox
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2GB free storage (additional storage available)
Desktop client available for Mac, PC and mobile
devices
 Automatically syncs documents saved in the
folder to the Internet
 Easily sync between multiple computers
Portable version available that can run on flash
drives, backing up files to the Internet
Easily share folders with other users
Disadvantage: No web interface available for file
editing
http://www.dropbox.com/

9. Box
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10GB free storage
Desktop and mobile clients available for syncing
files between multiple devices
Ability to login with a Google account
Web interface for text editing
Easily share files or folders with other users
Disadvantages:
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Integrating Microsoft Word documents requires
additional plugins to be installed
Web-based documents require copying and
pasting into a local document
http://www.box.com/

10. Zoho
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5GB of free storage
Full suite of productivity
applications, including email, documents, calendars, etc.
Ability to log-in using Google, Yahoo, or
Facebook accounts
Geared toward business users
Disadvantages:
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No desktop client for syncing, web-based only
Not as well known as others, may be more
difficult to collaborate on files
http://www.zoho.com/

11. In Summary
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Students may already have access to cloud
storage accounts through Google or
Microsoft, but are not aware of the additional
services these accounts are eligible for
Fewer opportunities for compatibility issues to arise

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Example: Using a Mac-based software program at
home, but only able to access PC-based
programs at school
Accessible to anyone
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Accounts are free and accessible to anyone with
an internet connection.
No additional software to purchase.

12. Handout