I remember when it comes to manage files across computers, it used to be stressful job. You might end up having double files, and you also need to take your time copy each file to move it across your other workstations. You might be remember one day forget to copy your works into your flash drive, so you have to drive or take the bus coming back to your home to get your works.
What about teamwork? It's another serious matter. When you edit the file, your members will have to wait until you finish your part before they can continue their tasks. Or else, there will be duplicated files and you will get confused: have we edited those parts? Where is the latest files? Damn it, Carl, I have edited those! The other problem is usually is about the amount of time taken to copy numbers of files and distribute it to every members. And we always end up gang-bang our usb plugs with multiple flash drives, while our computers seems so slow when it's about to copy the files.
Well, that's why we need to move forward and change the way we work. By using cloud service, we can flexibly manage our files across devices (yes, computers, tablets, even smartphones) without having to worry we might have duplicated files. When you leave your flash drive home, don't worry because you can access your files anywhere. But how? Because your files are stored in the clouds: it's stored in a central server, with your devices syncing with the central server in order to respond to any changes happen within the files.
Cloud Office
There are some tools available nowadays for free that let you work over the clouds. It's available as a webpage, software, or application in your smartphones and tablets. You can install these softwares too in you computer, so you can conveniently edit it in your computer while it syncing with the clouds. Edit it in the web based systems also let you save your work real time, so you don't have to fear of data loss because of you forget to save it.
There are so many providers of cloud office systems out there, but here I'm going to just introduce you with cloud office systems provided by major companies. In this review, I will also show you example of their web based editor, that let you edit your document files in the browser! All you have to do is sign up to their service, and you can set off and go!
Microsoft One Drive - onedrive.live.com
Part of the Microsoft Office working environment, One Drive is cloud storage by Microsoft. Launched in 2007, this service integrates you with their Word, Powerpoint, Excel, and OneNote, in which you can edit your files directly in the web. If you sign up for their free service, you get 5GB free storage. If you consider to make it serious, the paid service offers you 1TB of storage.
The interface pretty much looked like the latest Microsoft Word, with its ribbon interface. The share button on the upper right side allows you to invite people to your projects. You can set the access, either you want the people only allowed to view or they could also edit the files collaboratively in real time. Pssst, the latest version even enables Skype chat alongside the document you shared!
The perk of working with One Drive is it is an integrated environment of Microsoft 365. So in short, if you have Microsoft Office installed in your computer, then you can sync your files with One Drive to store your files in the internet. The cheapest plan to be paid subscriber of One Drive service starts from $6.99 per month (personal). Students can pay for one time purchase with the price of $149.99.
Google Drive - drive.google.com
This is the service that I use the most. Well it's because I'm a Google user, and I have been to much depend on Google services. I really love the way that email and cloud storage integrated to each other in Google (Well Microsoft also got that too). I also love the user interface of Google, simple and enjoyable. It comes with 15GB storage, integrated with your email systems.
You can see in the pictures that I have stored so many files in the clouds. Well, let's see to that red "NEW" button. When you click that you will get some option to create new files using the Google web based apps: Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, Google Forms, Google Drawings, and My Maps. What I love is Google provides Google Forms, so can easily create interviews and questionnaires (to annoy that friend whom you haven't contacted for a long time to help you fill out your questionnaire).
The interface of Google Docs, as shown in the example, is also so simple. The editing tools will remind you with Open Office (if you ever use this freeware office suites). The formatting feature is actually enough. The other feature that I like is if you click 'Editing' button on the upper right part of the toolbar, you can toggle the editing mode into 'Suggesting' and 'Viewing'. 'Suggesting' mode is basically where your edit in the document will be displayed with note on the right part of the documents. If you don't like your friends work, you can suggest, and they can even respond in reply box to comment on your suggestion. Check or cross would help to indicate either that part is solved or cancelled.
Let's take a look at the Word apps. Wow, suddenly every menu changed into English! Haha nice, because despite I can speak Korean (on beginner level), it's comfortable to see alphabets around. The menu is ribbon interface, so it's pretty much like Microsoft Word. Unfortunately, despite of all those beautiful design, Naver Office has not yet provide collaborative editing mode. As of December 2015, it's still in its beta version. I hope it's going to be available in the future!
Which one I prefer the most?
I prefer Google as I depend on Google so much. Beside, Google provides a nice collaborative environment to work it. Their service is also good, it's a really nice integrated Google environment, and stability across devices is not an issue. The reason I'm using Naver Office is actually because I live in Korea and sometimes I have to deal with .hwp files (Korean have their local version of .doc too). Microsoft? Well they do have good interface, but I just rarely using their service. Moreover I'm a Linux user, so I don't have any Microsoft softwares installed in my systems.
Anyway, start working with cloud from now on! Since I use cloud, I don't have to worry that I leave my files at my workplace desktop, or it's in my laptop at home. As I can access the files in my smartphones, small edits can be done while I'm commuting or travelling. I can conveniently access files using my smartphones, and send it to my friends in time they need it when I'm away from my computer. Work Smarter with clouds office!
Other good review
What about teamwork? It's another serious matter. When you edit the file, your members will have to wait until you finish your part before they can continue their tasks. Or else, there will be duplicated files and you will get confused: have we edited those parts? Where is the latest files? Damn it, Carl, I have edited those! The other problem is usually is about the amount of time taken to copy numbers of files and distribute it to every members. And we always end up gang-bang our usb plugs with multiple flash drives, while our computers seems so slow when it's about to copy the files.
Well, that's why we need to move forward and change the way we work. By using cloud service, we can flexibly manage our files across devices (yes, computers, tablets, even smartphones) without having to worry we might have duplicated files. When you leave your flash drive home, don't worry because you can access your files anywhere. But how? Because your files are stored in the clouds: it's stored in a central server, with your devices syncing with the central server in order to respond to any changes happen within the files.
Cloud Office
There are some tools available nowadays for free that let you work over the clouds. It's available as a webpage, software, or application in your smartphones and tablets. You can install these softwares too in you computer, so you can conveniently edit it in your computer while it syncing with the clouds. Edit it in the web based systems also let you save your work real time, so you don't have to fear of data loss because of you forget to save it.
There are so many providers of cloud office systems out there, but here I'm going to just introduce you with cloud office systems provided by major companies. In this review, I will also show you example of their web based editor, that let you edit your document files in the browser! All you have to do is sign up to their service, and you can set off and go!
Microsoft One Drive - onedrive.live.com
Part of the Microsoft Office working environment, One Drive is cloud storage by Microsoft. Launched in 2007, this service integrates you with their Word, Powerpoint, Excel, and OneNote, in which you can edit your files directly in the web. If you sign up for their free service, you get 5GB free storage. If you consider to make it serious, the paid service offers you 1TB of storage.
The interface is simple, and by default you get Documents, Pictures, Music, and Public Folder. You can also share your projects with other people, so that they can view or edit the file too! Let's try it's word editor.
The perk of working with One Drive is it is an integrated environment of Microsoft 365. So in short, if you have Microsoft Office installed in your computer, then you can sync your files with One Drive to store your files in the internet. The cheapest plan to be paid subscriber of One Drive service starts from $6.99 per month (personal). Students can pay for one time purchase with the price of $149.99.
Google Drive - drive.google.com
This is the service that I use the most. Well it's because I'm a Google user, and I have been to much depend on Google services. I really love the way that email and cloud storage integrated to each other in Google (Well Microsoft also got that too). I also love the user interface of Google, simple and enjoyable. It comes with 15GB storage, integrated with your email systems.
You can see in the pictures that I have stored so many files in the clouds. Well, let's see to that red "NEW" button. When you click that you will get some option to create new files using the Google web based apps: Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides, Google Forms, Google Drawings, and My Maps. What I love is Google provides Google Forms, so can easily create interviews and questionnaires (to annoy that friend whom you haven't contacted for a long time to help you fill out your questionnaire).
The interface of Google Docs, as shown in the example, is also so simple. The editing tools will remind you with Open Office (if you ever use this freeware office suites). The formatting feature is actually enough. The other feature that I like is if you click 'Editing' button on the upper right part of the toolbar, you can toggle the editing mode into 'Suggesting' and 'Viewing'. 'Suggesting' mode is basically where your edit in the document will be displayed with note on the right part of the documents. If you don't like your friends work, you can suggest, and they can even respond in reply box to comment on your suggestion. Check or cross would help to indicate either that part is solved or cancelled.
Naver Office - office.naver.com
Because I lived in South Korea, I think I have to review this service. Provided by Naver, a giant IT tech in South Korea, Naver Office is the Korean version of cloud office. It has beautiful and fancy looking interface, I do like it. They actually provide English service, but unfortunately not for everything. But it's interesting to introduce you with this service, because as a foreigner it's just nice to know about this local Korean version!
The first time you access the home, the main tab will clearly mentioned Home, Word, Slide, Cell, and Form. When you click the Word tab for example, you will directly see some default templates, in which I can say they provide extensive amounts of templates! What I love from Naver is, these templates are beautifully design, good looking, and very functional! There is CV templates, resumes, daily plan, movie poster, invitation, report, thesis.... more than enough! (Take a look at Slide, Cell, and Form templates too. They are so beautiful!)
Let's take a look at the Word apps. Wow, suddenly every menu changed into English! Haha nice, because despite I can speak Korean (on beginner level), it's comfortable to see alphabets around. The menu is ribbon interface, so it's pretty much like Microsoft Word. Unfortunately, despite of all those beautiful design, Naver Office has not yet provide collaborative editing mode. As of December 2015, it's still in its beta version. I hope it's going to be available in the future!
Which one I prefer the most?
I prefer Google as I depend on Google so much. Beside, Google provides a nice collaborative environment to work it. Their service is also good, it's a really nice integrated Google environment, and stability across devices is not an issue. The reason I'm using Naver Office is actually because I live in Korea and sometimes I have to deal with .hwp files (Korean have their local version of .doc too). Microsoft? Well they do have good interface, but I just rarely using their service. Moreover I'm a Linux user, so I don't have any Microsoft softwares installed in my systems.
Anyway, start working with cloud from now on! Since I use cloud, I don't have to worry that I leave my files at my workplace desktop, or it's in my laptop at home. As I can access the files in my smartphones, small edits can be done while I'm commuting or travelling. I can conveniently access files using my smartphones, and send it to my friends in time they need it when I'm away from my computer. Work Smarter with clouds office!
Other good review
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