GMail Drive
GMail Drive is a free namespace extension ("add-on") for Microsoft Windows. It allows a user to access a virtual drive stored in a Gmail e-mail account by causing the contents of the Gmail account to appear as a new network share on the user's workstation. In order to use this add-on, a user needs a Gmail e-mail account. The add-on enables a user to use the normal Windows desktop file copy and paste commands to transfer files to and from the Gmail account as if it were a drive on the user's computer..
Function
GMail Drive uses the inbox of the users GMail account to store files. Consequently, restrictions on the GMail service are also enforced when using GMail. For example, users are not able to upload files greater than 10 MB. GMail also prevents users from transferring certain file types, such as an executable or zip archive. Some users overcome this restriction by renaming the file extension.
Multiple computers can connect to one Gmail account thus allowing GMail Drive to act as a multi-user file server.
For GMail Drive to operate, the user's computer must be connected to the Internet and must have access to Gmail. A broadband connection is preferable though not necessary. GMail Drive periodically checks the mail account (using the Gmail search function) to see if new files have arrived and to rebuild the virtual drive's directory structures.
Caveats
GMail Drive is an experimental package not provided by Google. A change in the API may require GMail Drive to be changed to allow continued access to the drive.
Use of GMail Drive may violate the Gmail terms of service.
See also
External links
- GMail Drive Site
- Gmail
- PhpGmailDrive by Rahat Ayub
- gDisk - Equivalent of GMail Drive for Mac OS X
- GmailFS - Equivalent of GMail Drive for GNU/Linux systems
- RoamDrive - Equivalent of GMail Drive which makes it possible to transfer from the files without the 10 MB limit. It also supports Hotmail accounts.
