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Topic: Google

GDrive is Platypus

Summary: Corsin Camichel has stumbled across a page hosted on Google's server (the page has now been removed) that gives life to a service that has been in the rumor mill since my very first blog post last September.  The screenshot provided appears to suggest GDrive works with Windows, Mac and Linux allowing users to store files remotely so they can be accessed from anywhere.

Garett Rogers

By Garett Rogers for Googling Google |

Corsin Camichel has stumbled across a page hosted on Google's server (the page has now been removed) that gives life to a service that has been in the rumor mill since my very first blog post last September.  The screenshot provided appears to suggest GDrive works with Windows, Mac and Linux allowing users to store files remotely so they can be accessed from anywhere.

platypus.jpg 

Why would someone want to store their files on someone elses server?  Here are a few features the page lists:

  • Backup. If you lose your computer, grab a new one and reinstall Platypus.  Your files will be on your new machine in minutes.
  • Sync. Keep all your machines synchronized, even if they run different operating systems.
  • VPN-less acecss.  Not at a Google computer?  View your files on the web at http://troutboard.com/p
  • Collaborate.  Create shared spaces to which multiple Googlers can write
  • Disconnected access.  On the plane?  VPN broken?  All your files are still accessible.
These points make it clear Platypus is still an internal project -- but the "Find a new bug, get a free Platypus t-shirt" message also suggests that they are working hard to find and fix bugs for a public release.

Topic: Google

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8 comments
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  • We also need disconnected access to all off the Google web applications.

    Of course some do not work, like Google maps needs to be connected to the terabytes of data on the back-end. GMail could work in a disconnected mode so you could at least search and read old email, and write email to be sent on re-connect.

    Well, fun to watch Google inovate and push everybody else.

    We should have GDrive and cached web applications soon.
    DonnieBoy
    Reply Vote

    • I'd love that

      I'd love to have off-line, auto-synchronising versions of Gmail, GCal. Gmail is very responsive for a web app, but I'd like to use it without starting up a browser -- my Firefox is loaded like a cow.

      I want it to be the same it is now, just packaged as an application. I'd like them to distribute an easy-install web server and a DB app with their apps installed. And I'd like the APIs to it so that I could develop local, browser-based applications for it.

      Can you envision that? Platform-independent, easy to install applications. Beat Microsoft the Google way :)
      jestempies
      Reply Vote

    • It's in there!

      "GMail could work in a disconnected mode so you could at least search and read old email, and write email to be sent on re-connect."

      You get that with POP access to Gmail, using a regular PC mail application.
      Resuna
      Reply Vote

  • Looking Forward to its Release

    GDrive has been rumoured for long and I would like to try it out. I like the idea of Sync as burning a disc for a few MB file and carrying it everywhere isn't as convenient as uploading it to a remote server and download it when I need it. I wonder who is able to test GDrive now, Trusted Program users?
    keithchan
    Reply Vote

  • Google Gdrive

    I currently use Carbonite Online Backup -- gives me unlimited storage for roughly $50 a year. I actually have about 80GB backed up. I have three questions about Gdrive: 1) how much data will they allow me to store (I assume it's going to be free)? 2) Is the data encrypted and secure? and 3) will it allow me to "set and forget" so that I don't have to think about data protection on a day to day basis. It would be nice to have unlimited online backup for free! Anybody know the answers to these questions?
    hklein
    Reply Vote

    • a list of free online backup services

      http://tiandrive.5gigs.com/backup.htm
      lists all the current free online backup services i know.

      --------------------------------------------------
      Help to Spread Firefox:
      http://tiandrive.noads.info
      tiandrive
      Reply Vote

  • GDrive is no comparison with DriveHQ.com

    I have been an enthusiastic DriveHQ user for almost 2 years. Their service is great!

    All GDrive features are long available and better on DriveHQ.com. Visit www.drivehq.com and watch the demo.

    # Backup. DriveHQ Online Backup works great. It has a lot of high-end features, much better than GDrive, including versioning, scheduled backup, encrypted storage, compressed upload, incremental backup and resuming, etc.

    # Sync. DriveHQ FileManager can sync multiple PCs, multiple user accounts.

    # VPN-less access. You can access your data from anywhere using a web browser, any FTP client, or DriveHQ Cline software, or SMTP/POP3 email with Outlook!

    # Collaborate. DriveHQ Group Account service is a true enterprise class collaboration platform. You can easily share folders to different people with different access rights. DriveHQ Group Account owner / admin can create/manage/delete sub-accounts.

    # Disconnected access. On the plane? VPN broken? All your files are still accessible as DriveHQ FileManager can cache the data for offline access! DriveHQ even offers SMTP/POP3 emails for offline Outlook access with unlimited email storage!

    DriveHQ offers basic service for free. So why the hype and why the wait? Sign up at: http://www.drivehq.com/?refID=2925384
    jerrylippman_ny
    Reply Vote

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