What is Google Shared Drive?
Google Shared Drives are shared spaces where departments or project teams can easily store, search, and access their files anywhere, from any device. Shared Drive is ideal for groups of colleagues who often collaborate on documents together, such as workgroups, committees, or project teams. All team members can share in the responsibility of organizing and maintaining the files. Team members can be added or removed from the Shared Drive at any time. When a team member is removed from the group, all of the files remain in the Shared Drive so that the team can continue to share information and complete the necessary work. (Thanks to Stanford University for some of this content.)
Google Shared Drives have unlimited storage capacity and can be accessed by installing Google Drive for Desktop or by going to Google Drive in a browser. Google Drive is accessible on most devices including iOS and Android. The only requirement needed to access Google Drive from on or off campus is an Internet connection.
What is Netspace?
Netspace is local file storage at Bucknell. All folders on Netspace, including departmental folders, have a storage capacity which may vary. It is recommended users access Netspace using a laptop or desktop (Windows or Mac). Netspace folders are accessible while on campus but do require VPN to access from off campus.
Why use Shared Drives vs Netspace?
| |
Shared Drive |
Netspace |
| Easily accessible on Windows/PC |
X |
X |
| Easily accessible on Mac |
X |
|
| Department or Project owner(s) can add or remove contributors |
X |
|
| Requires a ticket to add or remove contributors |
|
X |
| Requires VPN to use from off-campus |
|
X |
| Use native apps like Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc.) |
X |
X |
| Unlimited Storage |
X |
|
| See who's editing with real-time presence in Microsoft Office |
X |
|
| Multiple people can edit a document at once |
X |
|
| Easily accessible on a tablet and mobile device |
X |
|
What is Google Drive for Desktop and how is it used with Google Shared Drive?
Google Drive for Desktop is a desktop application that allows you to access files within Google Drive and Google Shared Drive. With Drive Google Drive for Desktop, you can quickly sync and access local files on your hard drive to Google Drive/Google Shared Drive. For more information on installing and using Google Drive for Desktop, go to "What is Google Drive for Desktop and how do I use it?" Ask L&IT article.
Accessing Netspace vs Google Shared Drives
Mac Computer
- Netspace from on-campus
- Select Finder, click on Go, and Connect to Server. Enter the server name. Find the file you need. Double click on the file to open it, make changes, save the file.
- Netspace from off-campus
- Connect to Bucknell VPN. Select Finder, click on Go, and Connect to Server. Enter the server name and connect. Find the file you need. Double click on the file to open it, make changes, save the file.
- Google Shared Drive from on or off-campus
- Drive Google Drive for Desktop: When Google Drive for Desktop is installed, click on the Google Drive icon on the desktop. Navigate to Shared Drives. Find the file you need. Double click on the file to open it, make changes, save the file.
- Web: In a web browser, login to Bmail. Open Drive. Find the file you need. Double click on the file to open it.
Windows Computer or Tablet
- Netspace from on-campus
- Navigate to the X: drive. Find the file you need. Double click on the file to open it, make changes, save the file.
- Netspace from off-campus
- Connect to Bucknell VPN and run the Map Network Drives tool. Navigate to the R: drive. Find the file you need. Double click on the file to open it, make changes, save the file.
- Google Shared Drive from on or off-campus
- Drive Google Drive for Desktop: When Google Drive for Desktop is installed, navigate to the G: drive. Find the file you need. Double click on the file to open it, make changes, save the file.
- Web: In a web browser, login to Bmail. Open Drive. Find the file you need. Double click on the file to open it.
iPad or iPhone
- Netspace from on or off-campus
- unable to connect to netspace on an iPad or iPhone.
- Google Shared Drive from on or off-campus
- When Google Drive is installed on your mobile device, login with your Bucknell credentials. Open Drive. Find the file you need. Double click on the file to open it.
Android Phone or Tablet
- Netspace from on or off-campus
- Unable to connect to netspace on a mobile device.
- Google Shared Drive from on or off-campus
- When Google Drive is installed on your mobile device, login with your Bucknell credentials. Open Drive. Find the file you need. Double click on the file to open it.