Tips for using Google Drive effectively

Tips for using Google Drive effectively

I use #googledrive  daily for writing work and storing new material I find and want to keep. I want to share some ideas here what I have found to be useful when using The drive.

Backups
Nothing is 100% sure, so getting backups is essential.
Google has the right to cancel your account anytime they want, so this should convince you to make backups. Backups can be done by downloading the Drive to your computer. Remember to keep it synced all the time.

Now notice that files that are made by googledocs (gdoc) are only links to your files in the cloud. 
In the event that you lose your account rights, these files can not be returned, even if you have to backups in your computer.
So for this reason after I have completed a writing work with googledocs, I will always download pdf version of the file too.

Naming files
Because drive is a Google product the search inside the drive is awesome. Learn to use it!

You can help the search to work more effectively by using organized method for naming the files. I use a simple formula for all the files I have: lastname, first name - main topic - specifics 
This way listing files by name is also easy.

Keywords for description
For every file you have the possibility to write description. Just click the file with right button of the mouse and choose information. This opens a new tab where you can write descriptions.

I use keywords to define the subject that the file includes. I keep one simple, separate txt file where I list the keywords and where I can add words as I use them.
This makes it easy to find a file that for example includes topics of; self-defense - communication - pre-contact clues. 

Naming the folders and organizing
In my opinion it is important to be able to see what files are shared and what are not. So I keep three main folders:
1. Not shared
2. Shared privately
3. Shared publicly

When adding new files to folder that is already shared, there is a warning that asks you; are sure you want to share the file also. But if you don't keep these separated it can be difficult to find what you have shared publicly.  Using different colors for shared and private folders or using stars to mark folders helps you to organize material at your drive.

Thank you for reading and if you have other good tips that you use, I would be happy to read about them. Give me a comment!