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110 Comments
- geminitojanus, on 10/12/2007, -3/+155Here's the cute thing about hosting everyone's files in the world; if you had an intellegent enough system, and enough computers to find the files effeciently, when you upload that trendy video everyone's got on their harddrive, Google can simply delete your copy and in its place post a symlink to that same file that's already been uploaded by 10000 other people (and hopefully if your filesystem's smart enough it'll deeplink instead of producing a thousand hops to get back to the original).
That alone will reduce the overall size of all of the data they have to store. On top of that: automatically compress all text files uploaded (source code, etc; with a system this large, you could also build a compression algorithm based on a global Hoffman table to make the storage incredibly dense, but making that work would require a lot more memory and would take a while to get stable enough to become reliable. However, this won't work at all if you're smart and encrypt your files before you upload them, but then again if it's an open source project, what's it going to hurt uploading it unencrypted. Much different if you're talking about chat logs.)
So unless you're a video editor or a professional photographer, I don't expect you to be anything more than Google can handle (no matter how prolific a filesharer you are). And even in the case of the former, I'm sure Google could work something out for you. There's no telling how many teras Google can handle (literally; they won't say). - breakneckridge, on 10/12/2007, -0/+421) Backup - GDrive would be awesome as a backup system. Just setup a script to backup your entire local drive to the GDrive's off site storage every night.
2) Delocalize all your data - GDrive would mean you never need to think about where or when you'll need which files because they'll all be accessible wherever you have a net connection.
If you're worried about security just set up a script to encrypt your files before they're uploaded. - debian_, on 10/12/2007, -0/+34We get free storage, they get the statistical data. Seems fair to me as long as I encrypt my data before Google touches it.
- Udon, on 10/12/2007, -6/+37Unlimited storage but... hopefully not in chunks of 10mb like gmail?
I still doubt they would like to store my Final Cut and Premiere files. - yellowbkpk, on 10/12/2007, -4/+34Online storage just wont take off until people have faster upstream connections. I'm not going to use online storage until it takes me less than 30 seconds to save my 5MB illustrated Word document.
- ThugEsquire, on 10/12/2007, -2/+26I doubt you would want to keep any sort of videos or video editing files on an Internet server. It would be prohibitively slow.
- TKDWILSON, on 10/12/2007, -1/+17Unless Google offers something that give you like 3 or 4 MB on the upload. Before you say that is crazy, 6 years ago did you think you would have an email client that gave you 2.6 gigs of storage space?
Eric Wilson - breakneckridge, on 10/12/2007, -1/+16Agreed, and your net connection will never come close to your actual system bus. So a Gdrive would be useful as a supplement to your local storage, but it would never be your primary storage.
- devoinregress, on 10/12/2007, -1/+11The more backups the better
- oktobr, on 10/12/2007, -1/+10They're probably counting on that, actually. They wouldn't offer unlimited storage if they expected hundreds of thousands of users to be uploading mirrors of their 250GB hard drives at rates of several MB/s. They hope that you'll find it inconvenient for anything other than relatively light use.
I'm more interested in what happens when if we upload out iTunes libraries. Will the RIAA consider this a violation of copyright? - CaptSnuffy, on 10/12/2007, -2/+10So set up a simple file server and then you can have all your data in one place to share between computers
- debian_, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8Not to be a downer, but as it stands now 10mb would seem a perfectly reasonable limit for Google to impose on file size.
Look at it this way. As it stands now, the majority of files shared by the majority of the public (legally) consist primarily of text documents and photographs. Unless your a photobuff storing RAW files, most people (that I know, or that I've witnessed online) generally tend to store photographs in resolutions lower than typical screen resolutions, typically ranking in less than 10mb. Additionally, for video, it hasn't really taken off on the desktop (legally). Sure their are video blogs and the like, but the Google audience in general doesn't usually record videos of themselves.
So what does that leave? Well warez basically, which you can be sure Google won't tolerate. Any additional "but what about"'s will likely be such a small % of use base to Google that increased filesize limit isn't justifiable.
This of course is just my reasoning, so my party pooping could very well still be proven wrong. - TKDWILSON, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8Gmail drive has a limitation of 10 MB just like Gmail does. RoamDrive has no such limitation.
Eric Wilson - lahuard, on 10/12/2007, -2/+8http://www.viksoe.dk/code/gmail.htm
They have an excellent program for this called GMail Drive. GMail Drive creates a virtual filesystem on top of your Google Gmail account and enables you to save and retrieve files stored on your Gmail account directly from inside Windows Explorer. GMail Drive literally adds a new drive to your computer under the My Computer folder, where you can create new folders, copy and drag and drop files to. - vermin, on 10/12/2007, -3/+9From the article: "Could a similar system work for online storage? For example, 1GB free and pay $5 for each additional."
So I guess by 'unlimited' they mean 'only limited by your bank account'. Kinda like how it already is now with paid online storage. - magister, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6Mirror: http://www.dailytech.com.nyud.net:8080/article.aspx?newsid=1113
- Mysidia, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7...when you upload that trendy video everyone's got on their harddrive, Google can simply delete your copy and in its place post a symlink...
Why perform a needless upload in the first place?
Have software on the client side compute a message digest on the file, and query the Google
database.
If the exact same file is already on the system, then INSTEAD of an upload happening, the
symlink is immediate, and it doesn't take any bandwidth for the upload.
Similarly, a DOWNLOAD request should involve checking the user's computer if the information
needed to build the file is already stored.
And if a similar but not exactly same version of the file exists, then chop it into pieces according to
the file type.
I.E. if you upload a .ZIP file, or another kind of well-known container file that has several files inside it, but one of its files is the same as something that's
already been uploaded, then you characterize the .ZIP file as a text file, upload the unique chunks,
and create a symlink for that ONE CHUNK the system already has (recording it as an item stored in the container), and the rest of the chunks are recorded and hashed, so they can be reused.
Actual .ZIP file is known to be a virtual file, which would have to be regenerated during download (by
re-adding the chunks, re-creating the archive, and restoring any special properties, possibly applying
a binary patch to ensure the result is identical to what the input was). - kidlinux, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Wow that's great. Other than the fact that Google is a company who operates in a facist state which can decide to invade my privacy on a whim.
I'll keep my own hard drives, thanks. - tastypastry, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6"That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive to these Ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such Principles and and organizing its Powers in such Form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. . . . "
Thomas Jefferson - GerryDaman, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Link down. Try here for the story:
http://mobilitytoday.com/news/006271/google_unlimited_storage - illynova, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4If you're worried about google reading all your information, perhaps you could *encrypt* your documents? Something like say, pgp?
Actually what interests me if its possible to layer a third party service on TOP of google's gdrive. It would basically interface to it, but as data passes through to the gdrive, it encrypts it with your private key. Very similiar to Windows' EFS. Just a thought :) - inactive, on 10/12/2007, -4/+8Google is the new world order. They have more user information intelligence on everyone than the feds can obtain. Even the feds with their data mining can't match the data stored by the big dot coms like Google. The U.S government are getting more and more frustrated on the lack of access they have to user data at Google. This is increasing tensions between corporate America and the American government's intelligence agencies. With this news of Google opening up new networks to act as hard disks for users, its going to make the government mad, so mad, they might just do something stupid like issue more subpoena, infact, its guaranteed.
Down with the Bush Administration I say, and good luck to Corporate America!!! - Burns, on 10/12/2007, -4/+8They currently have that system in place that geminitojanus was talking about in gmail, which is why they allow such a large amount of storage, although granted it is not unlimited storage.
- arafoz, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4I think the article mentioned an interesting point regarding privacy. I'm sure that eventually, even if not in the first release, a "your files may be shared, at Google's discretion and without requiring your consent or notification, with third parties if deemed necessary" may be snuck into the terms of use. That of course would give government access to your files.
I don't know about you, but I'm going to read through the terms word for word before using this. - Specter, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3I use gmail... I'm OK with the slight amount of privacy problems there... but i don't do anything sensitive with my e-mail so it's OK. But putting files on to google... I have my reservations. Google Desktop had it's privacy issues and EFF and people were up in arms warning people not to use that service of Google Desktop. Yes I know this will be voluntary what you put on it. Possibly using PGP or true-crypt before you put any files on there would be a good idea. But then the NSA might be after your ass... (because apparently using encryption makes you a criminal... ie. they want a Skype backdoor)
- Strangers, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4I imagine google will be coersed into putting some sort of constrains on who can download from your storage to stop that sort of thing.
A website could be effectively hosted on this, a small one at least - geminitojanus, on 10/12/2007, -2/+5It shouldn't be a violation of copyright (they're your files, where you keep them is up to you; as long as you have a license to use the music either from iTMS or from a CD you purchased).
And for those who are pirating music, Google will love you; storing that 4-6MB music file will only cost them an additional 4kb of HD space provided someone else has already uploaded (symlinking). If you trust Google (and there's reason to), if the RIAA tried to subpeona your files on their drives, they'd simply say "No", and it's pretty doubtful that they'd ever find out who's pirating what. - Rhine23, on 10/12/2007, -4/+7This would be great for me becuase i switch between computers all the time and lose those damn usb keys some where in my room :/ it would be nice to access some commonly used stuff right off the server
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -2/+5gmail
gdrive
google maps
online videos
the most comprehensive search
google desktop
add and online version of open office, and a few other things and it seems like we now have all the working components to develop a useful micrsoft free operating system. Online "apps" are becoming far more useful than desktop ones. Could we soon see a "click and run" type OS from google soon (lindows). - debian_, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3It's not like the wealth of information on users held by Google is lucrative only to Dubya and his administration. Virtually any government would be happy as hell (though they would never admit it) to be able to keep track of their citizens. I'm not saying every administration is seeking to role out their Big Brother plans, but ike you said, intelligence agencies just aren't able to retrieve data as easily as Google has it thrust upon them.
For the paranoid, you do have a choice. At this point, noone is *forcing* people to use Google. If you want your personal information safe, don't put yourself in a situation where a third party has access to it. There are obvious compromises such as encryption of your data, proxies, and the like, so you can have some of the lovely Google services without completely stamping the barecode on your forehead.
In either case, one just has to take count of how important their personal information is to them, and act accordingly. - JoshM, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3It can't be unlimited, there has to be a limit. If there wasn't people would just use the service like a second hard drive
- 7of7, on 10/12/2007, -2/+5I'm shocked that no one finds this scary. Do you really trust a giant corporation with your data? Seriously, you people are scary. I always wondered how 1984 would start and it's clear to me that it'll be people falling for slick advertising. If you really want your personal data stored somewhere, I'd be happy to take it off your hands. Google is an incredibly scary company. With an intent like "all your data are belong to us," how could you really trust Google at all?
- blhack, on 10/12/2007, -1/+4I think that the prohibitive factor that google is counting on here is bandwidth. Even with the best package that my cable provider offers i can only upload at speeds of about 60kbps. That rounds to about 5 gigs a day. Now keep in mind that we as geeks are not the norm. The average user isn't going to even TRY to upload a lot of files to this thing. It will likely just replace emailing something to yourself so that you could access it on another computer.
So even if you DID tie up your cable modem for a week and upload your final cut pro project, the majority of user aren't going to, so google doesn't have anything to worry about. - TKDWILSON, on 10/12/2007, -2/+5I would worry about Google hotlinking like discribed earlier where they have 1 million identical file and they delete all but one or two. I think doing that, the government could argue they have a system in place that encourages piracy (because it is no longer somone's personal copy, but rather everyone is copying one work.
Eric Wilson - webdevil, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2"Is anyone else worried about privacy with google's tactics. I mean having all my stuff on their servers seems sketch especially with googles history of shady privacy policies"
People who question google's privacy make me laugh. Your data is already out there for anyone to obtain. If you think credit card companies are more concerned about your privacy then google is, think again.
I have a harder time giving my credit card to a 16 year old working at Olive Garden then I do Google. Who knows what they do with those cards when they disappear for 2 minutes. - jazzwolf, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I like how Google can breathe life into old ideas but, our infrastructure isn’t there yet and it'll be tedious for those of us who have crappy upload speeds. That’s always the complaint in these reviews for online storage methods. :
- TAGG, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2There is nothing unlimited. Fair usege level will still apply somethere in fine print.
Otherwise some unhappy hackers will setup their bots to upload a bunch of junk to their accounts. - futzy99, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Err... the site seems to be down. But judging from the comments, isn't this just the same as the G:Drive story posted a few days ago?
- ultimind, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Is google going to be mad at me for archiving my projects to their servers? I archive an average of 30-150gb per day (uncompressed video) and I require about 30MB/sec up and downstream to play them back... Not a realistic storage system yet...not until every company and home in the world has incredibly fast gigabit internet connections.
- salsaman, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4Google reminds me more every day of the computer Richard Pryor built in Superman III. You've been thinking it too, admit it.
- illynova, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2actually a lot of people find it scary. haven't you been reading comments / editorials?
- jmholloway, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4i hope it doesnt have a ten mb limit. And i hope its available for mac and windows
- MellerTime, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Didn't we hear about this a few weeks ago when they released a new version of Google Desktop (or announced a new one, something)? The big thing was that yeah, you could store your files on their servers, but they reserved the right to keep them around for x days after you deleted them...
- 7of7, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Yeah, I have been reading the comments, and they're all wildly supportive of Google owning their data. Their only problem is that they're they won't be able to upload all their files at once because they have too many videos.
- echimu, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I use following UNIX script to backup all files from uni computer to my gmail a/c :)
http://bash.cyberciti.biz/backup/mybackup.php - jbiz, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2i wonder if there will be different tiers, like a commercial level
off-site backups are crucial to any data center. i don't know how pressed an established, huge blue-chip company would be to utilize google for their backups, but if i was running a start-up or a smaller company i would be all for it - Mike.ohara, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3For people concerned about storing theier precious files on "GDrive" -- simple solution
use a product similar to Jetico's Bestcrypt and store your files in super high encrypted "containers" then upload to GDrive - would be smart and would probably allow you to better organize them.
Just a thought, - Azmodan, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I don't trust them. I intend to use the service but I'll encrypt my data.
- TomP, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Well if I was to use "GDrive" i'd put them in a password protected RAR file with a strong password, but it sounds quite interesting :) Down side is the site has digg effect :( mirror anyone?
- Tom | http://www.tomwrote.info - VoraciousPanda, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Yes, it is. Both articles quote the same part of the same Google powerpoint presentation.
I already pointed it out but, instead of actually looking at the already frontpaged story, people just decide to bury my comment. -
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