Google Drive & Linux

[vasa1]

I'm not aware of any official Google product that allows sync between the Linux desktop and Google Drive. So I was puzzled to see the bit enclosed in red (image attached) when I was responding to an online survey by Google.

[Pelvur]

https://www.insynchq.com/

[Dragonbite]

Grive and Grive tools (http://www.thefanclub.co.za/how-to/ubuntu-google-drive-client-grive-and-grive-tools) works well for me!

[vasa1]

Yes, but those aren't by Google. I'm aware of non-Google solutions.

[Dragonbite]

Yes, but those aren't by Google. I'm aware of non-Google solutions.

There are definitely no Google-official applications for Linux (er.. well, um other than Android) even though they promised a Linux version when they released it wha?... 5 years ago now?

Yeah, I've been bitter and posting about it online. It isn't a technical issue because there are a number of Linux-compatible services (Copy, Dropbox, SpiderOak, etc.) plus the do have a copy for Android (Linux) and OS X (Unix). So ignoring the Linux crowd is a choice, not because of anything technical.

At this point I am wondering if Microsoft is going to come out with Office and/or OneDrive for Linux FIRST! That would (should) be a slap in the face for Google! I would even go so far as to be willing to pay for Office and OneDrive space if it came to that.

Until then, I have > 200GB of space on Copy and am eying the 1TB of Dropbox for $99/year and setting up the whole family (each has their own folder) for synchronizing.

[Dragonbite]

I'm not aware of any official Google product that allows sync between the Linux desktop and Google Drive. So I was puzzled to see the bit enclosed in red (image attached) when I was responding to an online survey by Google.

One can hope it means one is further along than the "we're working on it..." line.

[vasa1]

One can hope it means one is further along than the "we're working on it..." line.
I now suspect they were referring to the alternatives that you guys mentioned.

There's a long thread here (https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/drive/7oh183FGJfM) but no Googler has participated recently.

[Dragonbite]

I now suspect they were referring to the alternatives that you guys mentioned.

There's a long thread here (https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/drive/7oh183FGJfM) but no Googler has participated recently.

Yeah, I'm in there a few times.

[speedwell68]

Grive and Grive tools (http://www.thefanclub.co.za/how-to/ubuntu-google-drive-client-grive-and-grive-tools) works well for me!

Just discovered this and it seems to be a great app. Does exactly what you need it to.

[Mike_Walsh]

Me, too. Does "exactly what it says on the tin..."

Regards,

Mike.

[Erik1984]

It is still sad that Google doesn't do more for desktop Linux. In one way they are super important for Linux (kernel) but totally ignore the desktop distros. Yes they use a version of Ubuntu in-house [1] (not sure if that's still the case today) but apparently that's no compelling reason to release an official Google Drive client.

[1] http://www.zdnet.com/the-truth-about-goobuntu-googles-in-house-desktop-ubuntu-linux-7000003462/

[Dragonbite]

I've been disillusioned by all of this. I'm getting very tempted to getting a 1TB account with Dropbox and setting it up so everybody in the family synchronizes with their own folder (Dropbox/me, Dropbox/child1, Dropbox/child2, etc.). It shouldn't fill up the TB of space, provides the ad-hoc online backup and enables synchronization between multiple computers (even if I am the only one that really uses >1 computer). Plus it is cross-platform so I can set it up with my wife's Windows laptop and the family Ubuntu desktop.

The only thing missing is being able to open a document with a browser-based application without having to download the file first.

btw... nice avatar ;)

[vasa1]

Just to keep this thread alive:
http://www.howtogeek.com/196635/an-official-google-drive-for-linux-is-here-sort-of-maybe-this-is-all-well-ever-get/
https://github.com/rakyll/drive

[Dragonbite]

Just to keep this thread alive:
http://www.howtogeek.com/196635/an-official-google-drive-for-linux-is-here-sort-of-maybe-this-is-all-well-ever-get/
https://github.com/rakyll/drive

Yea, that all seems like a off-hand, say-something-to-shut-them-up type response. In contrast to Google's usual methods, this does not seem "official" even. GDrive and InSync are both better than this.


I'm really starting to hope that Microsoft's OneDrive comes to Linux, or that their Mobile version of Office (which is adding Dropbox support) could be made to work in Linux.

[matt_symes]

Just to keep this thread alive:
http://www.howtogeek.com/196635/an-official-google-drive-for-linux-is-here-sort-of-maybe-this-is-all-well-ever-get/
https://github.com/rakyll/drive


Yea, that all seems like a off-hand, say-something-to-shut-them-up type response. In contrast to Google's usual methods, this does not seem "official" even. GDrive and InSync are both better than this.

I'm really starting to hope that Microsoft's OneDrive comes to Linux, or that their Mobile version of Office (which is adding Dropbox support) could be made to work in Linux.

This app rubbish/trash from Google. Very disappointing from them.

Personally, i have been moving away from Google for a number of my services for a while now. This does not increase my confidence in them by one iota.

[tgalati4]

I think there are valid reasons as to why we don't have a native, linux Google Drive client. I don't know what those reasons are, but I bet they exist. Several folks have expressed interest in a native, linux Evernote client. It is not going to happen. The Evernote folks have repeatedly said that they won't support linux.

It's probably a simple business decision. Google doesn't have a compelling business reason to support a native, linux Drive client. Regardless of the hype of Google using modified Ubuntu servers and bring-your-own OS work environment, there is no compelling reason for Google to build it.

My guess is that the Drive framework is constantly changing and adding another platform to support drains resources. Just as with Evernote, you can use the Web client in a clumsy fashion to download files.

You could make the same argument for UbuntuOne. What happened to that service? Wasn't that the integrated, cloud storage solution for linux?

Yes, it is frustrating to have 15GB of google storage and not be able to use it easily across several devices that I have. Try setting up your Owncloud server with several GB of storage that you can access from all of your devices. Not an easy task.

I'm sure there have been at least a few Summer-of-Code proposals for writing a proper Drive client for linux. It would be nice to have. Dragonbite makes a compelling case for using Dropbox for his Use Case. Use what works.

[vasa1]

I think there are valid reasons as to why we don't have a native, linux Google Drive client. I don't know what those reasons are, but I bet they exist. ...
I think much of the anger or frustration is because there isn't a clear statement one way or the other from Google apart from their oft-quoted "soon".

By the way, I couldn't understand the github article by rakyll at all. If background sync is so horrible, why have it on the Mac or on Windows? What about Dropbox?

[Dragonbite]

What proprietary bits or bits they do not want to share is included in Google Drive that they cannot move it from Android (Linux) or ChromeOS (another Linux) or OS X (Unix) to other Linux?

Or are they caught up with the interface and making it look integrated?

[tgalati4]

Google has said (besides "Don't Be Evil"--which is not the same as "Do Good.") that it will be moving its services to Google Apps and Google Desktop. Which means, if you read between the lines, that if you like gmail in the Chrome web browser, then that might go away. You will have to install a Google Desktop application to have access to gmail, calendar, contacts, Drive, etc. There will be a transition period and lots of grumbling.

The reasoning is simple, Google wants a platform that it can control and is easier to support. Writing browser clients is tedious with the constant flux of browsers and their capability. So, just like Google Earth, you will probably have a *.deb file to install and that will give you the platform to run several Google Apps. I remember reading that the web clients will still work for a period of time, but that new functionality will only be available in Google Desktop.

Remember when Facebook tried to take over your smartphone? It's similar. Was the Facebook OS a good idea? All facebook, all the time? Not really.

Google Desktop is a way to creep into all of our computers and plant the flag. "All of your base are belongs to Us." Presumably it will make Google Docs perform more like a native application instead of a pull-your-hair-out web client. So at that point Google Drive will then have a native client through Google Desktop. When will this capability be ready? Oh, after Windows 8 port and Mac OS X port. So it could be another couple of years.

Do not be surprised when advertisements pop up in the middle of your Google Docs page as you are typing. Afterall, that is the business model. Browsers can block the ads, but a Google Desktop is a pipeline to feed ads into all of your applications. Will it be open source? Don't know.

[coldcritter64]

I was also annoyed early last year no client was available from google. So I wrote this up for ubuntu 12.04 (the ppa for ubuntu is still up to date, should still work in newer releases) and Debian (wheezy) on openlinuxforums: Howto: Auto-sync Google Drive to a local folder with Grive _ Ubuntu & Debian (https://openlinuxforums.org/index.php/topic,3144.0.html) (my first attempt at a linux guide anywhere, apart from forum answers, some of which turn out nearly as long as this guide :lol:)

From my guide (only good for those who don't mind using the terminal, should be easy enough for users though, it was designed for copy/pasting usage) ...

This guide is to set up a Google Drive folder synchronized with a local folder, automatically updating local changes to the files/folders on the server with monitoring by inotify. Server side changes are synced back to the local folder using a cron entry and grive to do so.

Another "home brewed" solution. Can be used to set up a homespun "dropbox" like set up if you manage to duplicate the hidden token onto 2 installs, drop a file in one and watch it pop up automatically on the other (up to 10 minutes later due to the cron timings, you can adjust them easily though).

Google is a bit of a disappointment to me in this case, got me fired up at the time, enough to whip up that tut.
Credit for the grive script goes to Peter Österberg though, the main part of the whole process.

Cheers, coldcritter64.

[vasa1]

I was also annoyed early last year no client was available from google. So I wrote this up for ubuntu 12.04 (the ppa for ubuntu is still up to date, should still work in newer releases) and Debian (wheezy) on openlinuxforums: Howto: Auto-sync Google Drive to a local folder with Grive _ Ubuntu & Debian (https://openlinuxforums.org/index.php/topic,3144.0.html) (my first attempt at a linux guide anywhere, apart from forum answers, some of which turn out nearly as long as this guide :lol:)

From my guide (only good for those who don't mind using the terminal, should be easy enough for users though, it was designed for copy/pasting usage) ...
...
That's a great HowTo. I'm building up courage to explore it but I'll have quite a few questions to ask you before I jump :)

[coldcritter64]

... but I'll have quite a few questions to ask you before I jump :)

Feel free to drop a PM with any questions regarding that link, or if it suits this thread discussion, pop them here. Cheers. :)
It is all copy paste in order down the page, it pays to read the whole guide and thread fully (all the way to post 4, some details in #4) for a complete picture of the process you will need to follow for your intended usage, that is, if you intend to use it just as a synced single folder or if you are going to set up a "homespun dropbox" set up like in the last post. I advise against using the optional update script (Part 3), only limited usefulness, if the main startup script "grive.sh" (Part 4) is running, can mess up the google drive folder requiring clean up.

The guide body (1st post) shows codes only for a single sync folder use.

Usage on two installs in a dual boot (as in the last post) requires the separate installation "gDrive" folders be named "gDrive#" (# = 0 or 1 etc) across the installs. The hidden "~/gDrive#/.grive" file is duplicated to both installs and google authentication reset up (de-authorize all on the google drive settings page and reset both installs using the same token, if previously used singly), this allows 2 folder access to the same gDrive with a dual boot set up. It MAY be possible to do for separate installs on separate machines, though it has NOT been tested by me. I don't know if 2 machines could authenticate to google at the same time with this, I doubt it would work and has NOT been tested yet. I have run it as the guide is set up (a single synced folder), and with the above alterations, installed to 2 installations on the same machine in a dual boot set up with full automatic syncing.

Grive worked well for me for keeping a dual boot collaborative folder, "cloud synced", between installs with google in between the two. Cheers.

[vasa1]

@coldcritter64, thanks for replying. I think my usage will be rather simple: just the one computer. I see you're making a distinction between "a synced single folder" and a "homespun dropbox". I'll really have to read your HowTo thoroughly before firing any questions in your direction.

[coldcritter64]

I think my usage will be rather simple: just the one computerGood, that will make it easy for you.

In your case stick with the main 1st post as is, it will be ok, just read the "authentications" notes in the quote box carefully, that is the main part to watch.
You can ignore Part3, the manual update script is not needed and can cause a mess if used with the main grive.sh script running. Have fun. :)

[vasa1]

Well, I got a reply from a Googler who contacted someone in the Drive team. Not much cause for optimism.

[mJayk]

Grive used to work very well for me but has become more unstable and unusable as time has gone on, I just use owncloud now.

[karlowbrian]

Yeah it is doable, it just requires a client.

[carl4926]

I'm not aware of any official Google product that allows sync between the Linux desktop and Google Drive. So I was puzzled to see the bit enclosed in red (image attached) when I was responding to an online survey by Google.
I noticed this too
But resorted to a period of fasting. I'll probably be wasted away before it actually become reality.....

My curiosity was further heightened when the Chrome update added the Task Manager feature:

[OrangeCrate]

I walked away from Drive quite a while ago (accessed it though a Win 7 partition, and then drug folders and files to Ubuntu). Now, I sync my iphone, and two Ubuntu laptops through Dropbox. Works great, and it never requires a second thought. As they say, "it just works". Even if Google coughs up a native solution for Drive on Linux, I think I'll probably pass on it.

[vasa1]

http://www.webupd8.org/2015/01/official-google-drive-linux-client.html

Hoping it's not someone's sense of humor.

[monkeybrain20122]

If you go to https://www.google.com/intl/en_en/drive/download/ you'll see

"Drive for Linux isn’t ready just yet, but you can still access Drive on the web and on your phone."

But this is only visible from Chrome (I don't see it from FF) So presumably they haven't dropped it yet. Anyway I don't use Drive, but I set up Ubuntu for some people who do use it, so it would be nice to have an official client instead of having to look for unofficial ones some of which simply discontinue after a while.

[vasa1]

If you go to https://www.google.com/intl/en_en/drive/download/ you'll see

"Drive for Linux isn’t ready just yet, but you can still access Drive on the web and on your phone."

But this is only visible from Chrome (I don't see it from FF) So presumably they haven't dropped it yet. Anyway I don't use Drive, but I set up Ubuntu for some people who do use it, so it would be nice to have an official client instead of having to look for unofficial ones some of which simply discontinue after a while.
Thanks for the link. I remember seeing that message but forgot where. BTW, I see it with Firefox 35.0.1 (direct from Mozilla) as well as with Chrome. I use Google Drive quite a lot, primarily for storage.

[monkeybrain20122]

I see it with Firefox 35.0.1 (direct from Mozilla) as well as with Chrome..


Thanks for the hint which helps me to solve a mystery :) I have added a general.platform.override string to about:config in oder to test unity3d player on a site but forgot to reset it. Google's sites (e.g Google earth) don't behave normally as a result. Reseting and now the sentence shows up.

[vasa1]

Thanks for the hint which helps me to solve a mystery :) I have added a general.platform.override string to about:config in oder to test unity3d player on a site but forgot to reset it. Google's sites (e.g Google earth) don't behave normally as a result. Reseting and now the sentence shows up.Okay, so they show that only if they detect the platform is Linux. I found a link about a case for spoofing the UA string and the platform here: https://answers.launchpad.net/pipelight/+question/249629

[scouser73]

Check here for some information: http://www.webupd8.org/2015/01/official-google-drive-linux-client.html