Recently, not only computer, but also mobile technologies are booming. In this regard, the issue of safe storage of relatively large amounts of information was very acute. And precisely for this, many IT corporations offer users of any type of device the use of so-called cloud services. How to use the cloud and services, which are included in the basic set of any developer, will now be considered.
What is cloud storage?
First, let's decide what kind of service it is. Roughly speaking, this is a file storage in the form of allocated disk space on a remote server of 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 always carry a USB device to access the downloaded information, you can access this service (for example, Mail.Ru cloud or the corresponding Google service) from a computer or a mobile device. That is, in the cloud itself, files are synchronized, and you can view or download them just by entering registration data (although in some cases this is not required).
Quite a lot has already been written about how to use the cloud. Now we will pay attention to some key points, and also consider the simplest principles of its use, explaining the situation in detail.
Most popular services
It goes without saying that initially for the use of such storage it is necessary to determine the service provider, that is, choose the most suitable storage service for yourself .
Today, such services can be found quite a lot. 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 you figure out how to use each type of cloud, it should be noted that these services are somewhat unequal when compared to each other. The fact is that some storages 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 guide, sometimes just an Internet browser is enough.
The same goes for free allocated disk space for storing your files, as well as paying for additional volume on a remote server. In any case, most services are very similar to each other.
What should I look for 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. It takes the whole process a few minutes.
Mobile devices with operating systems installed on them differ favorably from stationary systems. The fact is that when you first turn on to access some advanced features or stores such as AppStore or Google Play (Play Market), the system initially offers to create an account (registered email address and password). At the same time, a smartphone or tablet already has a preinstalled application for working with cloud services. For convenience, their stationary counterparts can be installed on a computer or laptop (although access can also be obtained through a browser).
Allocated Disk Space
Another important point is the amount of disk space that the user receives initially 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 amount of storage and pay a certain amount for it, which includes the cost of acquiring a larger amount and servicing for a certain period of use, which, by the way, can also be different.
General principles
As for how to use the cloud in its broadest sense, everything is quite simple here. After registration, the user only needs to add folders and files, contacts, and much more to the repository.
At the same time, in the settings section, he can add friends who, along with 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 is the interesting thing. When installing a special program on a computer, access to files in the cloud is much faster than when you launch 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. Consider the most popular repositories.
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 on the top of the projects tab. This is the Mile cloud. How to use it? Easy peasy.
Initially, 25 GB of disk space is offered. Files are downloaded using the corresponding button, which can add several objects at once. The restriction applies only to the size of the downloaded file - it should not exceed 2 GB. Before starting the download, you can use additional functions, for example, create a new folder, after which it is just as easy to move and delete files. Please note: there is no “Recycle Bin” in it, as in the same Yandex service, so recovering deleted information will not work.
The function of creating, viewing, or editing files can be very useful. Let's say we have a Word document (or it is created directly in the repository). Changing it directly in the cloud can be as simple as if the user started the editor on the computer. At the end of the work, we save the changes, after which the synchronization occurs again.
You can use the direct download process for downloading, but if you want to share the file with a friend who does not have access rights to the service, you can simply generate a link (there is a special button for this) and send it by e-mail.
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 can delete files completely by accident. This is where the so-called “Basket” comes to the rescue, in which information is placed upon deletion. It works like a standard computer service. True, data recovery tools are not applicable to it if they have already been removed from the Recycle Bin. However, the function is very useful.
Google Drive Storage
Now let's move on to another powerful service called Google-cloud. How to use Google Disk? There are no fundamental differences compared to other services. But here access can be obtained 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 a computer program.
We assume that the account has already been created. After its activation, the user receives 5 GB in storage. The increase to 25 GB will cost about 2.5 USD. Install the application on the computer, after which the service folder appears on the desktop (it is also displayed in Explorer).
As already clear, just put the files in this directory, as the synchronization will happen. During operation, the program "hangs" in the system tray as an icon. Right-click to call up an additional menu where you can view the available volume for downloading files, make personalized settings, expand storage space, complete work, etc.
There is one thing worth noting here. As it turns out, copying files to the program folder on the computer, and then downloading them from the cloud to the mobile device is much faster than connecting the gadget to the computer and then copying it using Windows.
ICloud and iCloud Drive Services
Finally, let's see how to use the Apple cloud. There are two services (iCloud and iCloud Drive) that are preinstalled on the iPhone or iPad in accordance with the version of the operating system installed on the device. In fact, iCloud Drive is an updated version of iCloud, and for it to work correctly, I should note that the mobile gadget must meet the stated technical requirements: iOS 8 on the device itself. Computer - with Windows 7 and higher with the extension iCloud for Windows or a computer terminal with Mac OS X 10.10 or OS X Yosemite.
Initially, after entering the service, the folders created by default will be displayed there. Their number may vary depending on the settings of the computer and the client on the mobile device. How to use the cloud in the iPhone? In principle, there is nothing supernatural in this. It is enough to launch the application on the gadget (put the launch slider in the on state) and log in using your account. Another thing is when the input is assumed from a computer. Here you will need to use the settings menu of the program itself and select the inclusion already there.
But there are pitfalls. For example, you can open an MS Office document for editing only after the system converts it to iWork format. Some difficulties arise when sending files. Unlike the same Mail.Ru service, where it is proposed to generate a link to a file, here the file can be sent only by mail, as a message, or through the AirDrop service. In some cases, in order not to do such things, you can go to the Pages section, and already share the message through iCloud. Not very comfortable.
Another minus is the rather low synchronization speed (this is recognized by everyone). And one more, the most unpleasant moment. If you make the transition from iCloud to iCloud Drive without updating all devices to the necessary configuration, the data in the old cloud will simply be inaccessible, so be careful.
Conclusion
Here is a brief summary of everything regarding the question of how to use the Cloud application or services of the same name. Of course, far from all the possibilities of such services are considered here, but, so to speak, only the general principles (basics) of work. However, even with such minimal knowledge, any newly registered user will be able to carry out basic operations in 5-10 minutes.