Shared Document Space

[shivvy]

I am looking into setting up shared document space so that the 6 members of my family can use it to assist with our communication.
I have been told about Googledrive, Dropbox and Glasscube, however I have never used any of them and don't know how to go about setting one up.

Can anyone give me some basic advice about what they are, which might be easiest to use, and how to go about setting it up.

Thanks very much.

[hc4361]

I strongly recommend Google Docs (now part of Google Drive).

It is very easy to set up a document or spreadsheet and share it with others, allowing them to edit / contribute to the document.

https://accounts.google.com/ServiceLogin?service=writely&passive=1209600&continue=http://docs.google.com/%23&followup=http://docs.google.com/&ltmpl=homepage

[hc4361]

http://www.google.com/drive/apps.html

[shivvy]

Thanks hc. Would we all have to set up gmail accounts to use it? I was a bit put off it but only because a friend uses gmail for her emails and doesn't really like it. Googledrive might be totally different though.

[hc4361]

I may be biased but I've used Gmail (GoogleMail) for years without problem but others don't need a GMail account to share your documents.


https://support.google.com/drive/answer/2494822

[shivvy]

Thats really useful hc - thanks.

I'm trying not to sound like a total idiot but I still don't really know how it could help us. Because there are 6 of us we sometimes get emails crossed or people don't always reply to the most recent email so info can be lost. Also, we regularly need to agree on dates to suit us all which can be difficult. Could it help with both those things hc?
And if so would you mind sending me a link to where I could go about setting it up please?

Thanks so much for your help hc.

[hc4361]

It will do everything you want. You install Google Drive on your pc
https://support.google.com/drive/answer/2375078?hl=en&ref_topic=2375002

You create a document and send invites to the other 5. As your document is stored on the internet (in the cloud) you and everybody else who has permission can access it from any pc, laptop, netbook, tablet, smartphone in the world provided you have internet access.

I have thousands of documents in GoogleDrive. Most are private so only I can access them. Others are shared - I control who can read each one, or edit a document. It is easy to send email notifications to warn that the document has been edited.

Basically you end up with one document that is constantly accessible to those you want to see it, and those with permissions can add their bit.

[shivvy]

Great - that sound like just what Im after hc.

I will get working on it tomorrow night. Stand by though cos I'm sure I'm gonna need you again!

I really appreciate you taking the time to explain it all to me. Very kind of you.