Can I create a full backup on google drive by moving my user folders to Google Drive Folder?

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Can I create a full backup on google drive by moving my user folders to Google Drive Folder?

Can I create a full backup on google drive? Google suggested I simply move my folders (Pictures, Music, Downloads, Documents, etc) into the google drive folder. But these seem to be automated files involved with Mac's organization... will this create problems for my computer? Ie. if I import new photos, or download music, will my computer know where to put it if its in google drive?

If this is a problem, how else could I possibly create a full backup of personal data on google drive (or any similar syncing service, for that matter). iCloud is prohibitively expensive, and programs like crash plan and carbonate run so slowly and bog down my computer so much that they are not worth it. Google drive seems simplest and most competitive in price, but I am worried about moving my folders.

Help?

MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9.5)

Posted on Oct 10, 2014 5:52 PM

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Answer 1

AtheneNoctua Author

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Oct 10, 2014 7:19 PM in response to Loner T

Google Drive also installs a client--a google drive folder on my hard drive that is programmed to sync changes automatically to the cloud--that allows me to drag and drop. I suppose my original concern was about dragging files from my hard drive (such as "pictures" that would contain my iPhoto library, etc) into it. Would that mess up Mac's internal organizational system? If I drag and drop my pictures folder, music folder, etc. into the google drive client folder in Finder, will those applications still function correctly? Will my mac still be able to figure out where to put photos I import from my camera, etc?

I am only as tech savvy as I have to be to survive professionally as a traveling teacher, so I am looking for something pretty straightforward that will free up some of my brain waves for other activities, rather than remembering which folders I have made changes in and need to sync. 😉

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Answer 2

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Oct 10, 2014 8:00 PM in response to AtheneNoctua

There is a simpler solution.

1. Install Google Drive.

2. Create sub-folders within Google Drive folder and structure your information the way you like.

3. From Apple applications, in the Preferences for each application, there is mechanism to move/locate the content specific to the application in a location that you choose, instead of using the default location.

4. For example iTunes content can be in a sub-folder under the Google Drive folder, and all your music/videos in that folder. This is a local folder.

5. Since all your information is 'rooted' in the Google Drive folder, you do not need to drag-and-drop any files. If you download a new song, it will end up under the Google drive and automatically sync.

6. You can test it with a small sample of your content before you commit to the effort of restructuring you entire content this way.

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Answer 3

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

Oct 10, 2014 5:58 PM in response to AtheneNoctua

You can potentially create local TM backups on a local drive and periodically move them to Google Drive. This will give you effectively two backups. A local one and a Google Drive (off-site).

Restoring from Google Drive is another factor to consider.

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Answer 4

AtheneNoctua Author

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Oct 10, 2014 6:01 PM in response to Loner T

Thanks so much Loner! Good idea I hadn't thought of.

Ideally, though, I'd like to have my files easily accessible online, and up to date on a daily basis. I'm a teacher and often need to access curriculum online from various locations/devices. So having something online that was both a backup and an up to date mirror of my HD would be great.

Am I correct in assuming that I can't simply move those folders to google drive? I spent forever on a chat with Google and they were convinced it would not be a problem, but I am not so sure.

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Answer 5

Loner T

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59,536 points

Oct 10, 2014 6:18 PM in response to AtheneNoctua

You may also want to consider http://mozy.com/product/mozy/personalor DropBox.Most of these tools install a client on your device and then allow drag-and-drop.

Another option is to have your backups at home and access them remotely, but when you are not at home, you cannot create backups. There are workarounds using NAS drives and VPN tunnels, but that requires a bit of IT style management of the backup resources.

You can organize your Curriculum information in a hierarchical folder structure and use the root of such a structure to be dragged and dropped. This means you are syncing say one GB, even if you made a small change to one file which is just 1KB. This would also mean more time for such a synchronization.

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Answer 6

car1975

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Jul 10, 2015 10:29 PM in response to AtheneNoctua

If you prefer to have folders inside the Google Drive when Loner T answer is the solution. However some applications do not allow to move their data folders. You may consider to use third party application like immortal files. It will allow you to choose backup data manually. Here is the instructions http://www.immortalfiles.com/set-up-google-drive-storage.html. However consider that google drive speed is not very good especially if you have a lot of small files. If you have quite big files like >100kb it is fine. I personally upload 1M files and 1TB data to google drive.

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Answer 7

babowa

Level 9

78,568 points

Jul 10, 2015 10:37 PM in response to AtheneNoctua

You might want to consider one additional thing: uploading files takes a lot longer than downloading, so if you have a large photo library or any other large files, it can take a very long time; it will also use up a chunk of your bandwidth when you're trying to do other stuff online. And, nothing stored online is safe - I'd consider a portable hard drive first.

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