Page 58 - digitalliteracy

2.3 Software: Your Tools for Success

3. Save your files to the open-source product Google Drive. As we discussed in the previ-
ous section, the basic version software is free and available to anyone with Internet
access. Projects are saved on Google servers and can be shared with other users,
regardless of what type of electronic hardware they have. You can familiarize yourself
with the features of Google Drive by watching the following tutorial:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HU9Z5gtQVk&spfreload=10

In addition to storing document files you have created, the cloud allows you to sync all elec-
tronic devices you may have. Jason uses cloud storage because he often logs in to his Ashford
course to check e-mail messages or to see replies to his discussion posts using his mobile
tablet device or his smartphone. Because he uses the cloud, he can sync the e-mail, calendar,
contacts, notes, and reminders on all his devices. When he makes changes to any of these
items, the changes are made across all devices.

Most cloud solutions provide other benefits as well. For example, many mobile devices have
cloud-based GPS capability, and you can purchase a mobile app to help you find a lost or stolen
mobile device. You can also save your passwords to the cloud, so you can access them when
you are not on your own computer. Or you can set your computer to perform automatic back-
ups of your data to cloud storage whenever the device is plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi.
This backup can even let you restore your device or set up a new device, if necessary. You can
explore the following web links for more information about cloud-based storage options:

OpenDrive for Windows: http://www.opendrive.com/apps/windows
Apple iCloud: http://www.apple.com
Click on the search icon (the magnifying glass in the upper right-hand corner), type
“iCloud,” and hit enter. Click “iCloud.”
Google Docs: https://www.google.com/intl/en/docs/about

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