Getting more out of Google Drive

I think I’m super late to the party, but I want to talk about this in case there are others even later to it than me😬

I recently checked out the Google Drive app and was like, “How have I gotten by without using this before?!”.*

No, I don’t mean Google Drive’s web app, which you access via drive.google.com. I’ve been using that for years, and I’d truly be living under a rock if I hadn’t heard of or used it.

I’m instead referring to Google Drive’s desktop app, which lets you access your Google Drive files via your computer’s file directory. Like this:

Clicking “My Drive” brings me to my Google Drive account’s folders.

The Google Drive desktop app is available for Windows and Mac, and downloading it is free.

How I use the Google Drive desktop app

Up until around 2 months ago, I’d access my Google Drive solely via its web app. Which worked fine, except when I had to download files to my computer just so I could upload them to my Google Drive, and then delete the files’ local copies from my computer. Doing all this wasn’t difficult, but it was troublesome.

Now, though, I can open my Google Drive from my computer and download my files directly to the relevant Google Drive folders.

I can also directly open Google Drive files in my computer’s apps (e.g. if I need to crop some screenshots) instead of downloading the files to my computer first. It’s really convenient.

File streaming vs file mirroring

This method of accessing Google Drive files from your computer is called “streaming”. There’s also an option called mirroring, which is helpful if you want to apply the 3-2-1 file backup rule.

When you mirror your Google Drive files​, you’ll have a copy of them in Google Drive and another copy on your computer. So, you’ll have 2 copies in total, and they’ll stay in sync with each other.

The Google Drive desktop app can also do the reverse, i.e. creating automatically backed-up copies of your computer’s files in Google Drive.

There are also features for e.g. using multiple Google Drive accounts with the desktop app and accessing your Google Drive files from your computer while you’re offline, but I haven’t had a need to explore those features yet. If you have tips about getting the most out of the desktop app, let me know. I’m all ears!

*And to that one person who might be reading this and who told me about the Google Drive desktop app years ago but I didn’t believe you then, you’re well within your rights to say “See? I told you!!” 😂

More freelancer news

Update: Should freelance fitness instructors have to pay venue music licence fees?

In my previous newsletter, I shared a forum letter writer’s concern about SportSG emailing freelance fitness instructors to say they need to pay licence fees for the music they play during classes.

The Deputy Chief of ActiveSG (an initiative under SportSG) has responded to the letter. Here are the main points from her reply:

• The freelance instructors have accepted a service agreement requiring them to respect IP rights
• ActiveSG’s email to the instructors about the licence fee payment was a “routine reminder” (i.e. the requirement isn’t a new thing)
• Freelance instructors get exclusive permit rates if they use licensed music during their classes

​Read the full reply letter here.​

Automation is impacting the gig economy

White-collar freelancing platforms like Upwork and Fiverr have reported lower demand for freelancers this year, which they attribute to AI automating tasks that businesses would’ve previously hired humans for.

Blue-collar gig work, like private-hire driving and food and parcel delivery, is also under pressure from physical automation, e.g. self-driving cars and robots.

Gig work has conventionally been a safety net for people who have trouble getting or holding full-time jobs. But now, this safety net may shrink if there are fewer jobs to go around and if they also pay less.

​Check out the full article here (paid subscription needed).

Keep an eye on how current trends might affect your work, and take steps to adapt or pivot if you haven’t already, so you minimise the impact on your rice bowl.