I've seen some people posting Articulate demos on https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com. I've tried posting a demo on Google drive for some friends to see but it doesn't work. What I do is publish as LMS (I've tried both as zip and unzipped) but when I click on the .html file it just shows code. Any ideas?
Google Drive also works well for hosting courses. You just need to rename the file that launches the course to index.html (from either story.html or player.html etc.) and make sure the sharing settings are set to Public
Mike this is awesome! I didn't know it could be done. I DO have a public folder with Dropbox, so that's been working fine for me, but it's always nice to have another option, and one where with more space (I think I ran out of people to nudge to install Dropbox so I could "buy" more free space).
I do have a few followup questions.
Speaking of nudging, I had to nudge Google to get this to work. I tried several times with Firefox, and all I was getting was a directory listing. I switched to Chrome, and then suddenly it worked. (I know - user error. I SWEAR I D&D absolutely the same way). Are there any browser limitations with this?
Does this have to be a public folder, or will it work if it's shared privately for anyone with a link or via email invites?
Becky: I haven't tried it in Firefox, yet. I have noticed that there are some general limitations when using Firefox with Google docs. It makes sense that something wouldn't work quite the same.
Hi Rebecca! It is working for me in Firefox. If you'd like to share your link I could try it and see what I get?
It seems to me like it only works with the sharing settings set to "Public"
One other browser limitation is that you can't drag and drop the entire folder of content using Internet Explorer or Firefox. (At least by default)
I also found this site that will convert that "ugly" URL into something more human friendly. http://gdriv.es/
It converts https://googledrive.com/host/0Bz1JYOC4wLaiVkZhRGMwLW92alk/ into something like http://gdriv.es/miketaylor (You could do something similar if you're already using something like bit.ly etc.)
Mike, thanks, but I don't need you to try it...as long as it works in Chrome I'm good to go. You DO mention however, that, "One other browser limitation is that you can't drag and drop the entire folder of content using Internet Explorer or Firefox. (At least by default)" ... so maybe that was my problem - ?? Like David, I've found that FF can be a bit pesky at times.
Mike, this is awesome! I echo the other compliments and "attaboys" you have received on this discussion.
I have an issue, though, and wonder if you have any insights that could help me. I created an 8-part learning program and tried to upload it to my Google drive. When all was done, I did the steps you recommended and tested the URL. It brought up the title slide, but when I click on any of the lesson buttons, the program freezes.
I then downloaded the Articulate Mobile Player app for my iPad and tried it there. The title slide appeared just fine. I then went back to the Library setting, and tapped the program tile so I could download it to the iPad for off-line viewing. That's were the mashed potatoes hit the fan.
After about 75% is downloaded, the download hangs up and I get an error message "Cannot download content". When I tap "Learn more", an Articulate article appears that says this could happen if some of the files were not uploaded.
So, back to Google Drive and I checked each folder, and indeed, several dozen (perhaps even hundreds) of the files on my computer's hard drive did not upload to Google drive. I tried manually selecting the missing files and uploaded them to their proper folders, hoping that would help, but no luck. Same problem.
Does Google drive place a limit on how many files can go into a folder? Any ideas?
PS: I tried this last night and it worked just fine. This morning I decided to change the sharing option to let only those with URL view the program. That's when the trouble began. I have since set it back to View by all, and noted a change in the URL, so pasted the change into my browser, but still get the problems described above.
Hi Richard! I think it only works if it everything you need is set to "PUBLIC" as the sharing option. I'm not aware of any limitations on the number of files...only the total storage space. (By the way you can get an extra 10GB if you download Quick Office and login via your iPad. https://plus.google.com/+GoogleDrive/posts/Gz5GpSeCW4x )
Just some confirmation. I also tried to set this up with "only those with URL"...nada! I already thanked you for this Mike, and tweeted about it, but thanks again!
I have been using Google Drive for sharing my courses for end users since a few months and I've found it really convenient and hassle free. Also google drive's server speed is much better than other hosting servers. But I have a question, and that is will the learners be having a certain bandwidth/download limitation to view a course via Google Drive..? Example: Though the upload limit for the course owner on GOogle Drive is 15MB. That is okay. But can a learner access the course unlimited number of times through a google drive link or will there be a cap on download for the learner after he accesses the course 'n' number of times..? I hope you're getting what am trying to ask.
This thread is a bit older, so I'm not certain that folks are still subscribed - but I believe there is a not a limit on the amount of times the user can download a course from Google Drive. I did a quick search through the Google Drive product help and saw some of their forums threads where users asked similar questions and it seems that there was not a limit on bandwidth - there are some Google limits here on number of users it could be shared with though.
"Announcement: This will not be available after August 31, 2016 You can continue to use this feature until August 31st, 2016, but after that, googledrive.com/host/ID will no longer work."
I really am going to have to build myself a website!
Thanks for sharing here - and it's the first I've seen of this Google support info (or at least the first I remember today!) so I'll share with our team and see if they have any other thoughts or ideas.
I did check with our team, and we're in the process of updating our documentation as Google has removed that functionality as indicated starting next Summer.
20 Replies
Hey Manuel!
I haven't used Google Drive for sharing projects, but if you don't have access to a web server, here are a few free options to consider:
I'd also recommend checking out this very helpful article.
Great links. Thanks. I'll try that.
I had a problem sharing files with Dropbox, but it ended up being a very simple fix. Have you enabled your public Dropbox folder? Here's a link explaining this process: http://column.sabioacademy.com/2012/12/06/dropbox-public-folder/
Google Drive also works well for hosting courses. You just need to rename the file that launches the course to index.html (from either story.html or player.html etc.) and make sure the sharing settings are set to Public
Here's a quick walk through of how to get your courses online with Google Drive.
Mike this is awesome! I didn't know it could be done. I DO have a public folder with Dropbox, so that's been working fine for me, but it's always nice to have another option, and one where with more space (I think I ran out of people to nudge to install Dropbox so I could "buy" more free space).
I do have a few followup questions.
Tx, Mike!
Well done, Taylor. This is really helpful.
Becky: I haven't tried it in Firefox, yet. I have noticed that there are some general limitations when using Firefox with Google docs. It makes sense that something wouldn't work quite the same.
Hi Rebecca! It is working for me in Firefox. If you'd like to share your link I could try it and see what I get?
It seems to me like it only works with the sharing settings set to "Public"
One other browser limitation is that you can't drag and drop the entire folder of content using Internet Explorer or Firefox. (At least by default)
I also found this site that will convert that "ugly" URL into something more human friendly. http://gdriv.es/
It converts https://googledrive.com/host/0Bz1JYOC4wLaiVkZhRGMwLW92alk/ into something like http://gdriv.es/miketaylor (You could do something similar if you're already using something like bit.ly etc.)
OMG. Mike. You have no idea how many problems you just solved for me. THANK YOU
Glad to hear it Katie!
Hi All,
Mike, thanks, but I don't need you to try it...as long as it works in Chrome I'm good to go. You DO mention however, that, "One other browser limitation is that you can't drag and drop the entire folder of content using Internet Explorer or Firefox. (At least by default)" ... so maybe that was my problem - ?? Like David, I've found that FF can be a bit pesky at times.
Great link for shortening that URL! Tx!
Mike, this is awesome! I echo the other compliments and "attaboys" you have received on this discussion.
I have an issue, though, and wonder if you have any insights that could help me. I created an 8-part learning program and tried to upload it to my Google drive. When all was done, I did the steps you recommended and tested the URL. It brought up the title slide, but when I click on any of the lesson buttons, the program freezes.
I then downloaded the Articulate Mobile Player app for my iPad and tried it there. The title slide appeared just fine. I then went back to the Library setting, and tapped the program tile so I could download it to the iPad for off-line viewing. That's were the mashed potatoes hit the fan.
After about 75% is downloaded, the download hangs up and I get an error message "Cannot download content". When I tap "Learn more", an Articulate article appears that says this could happen if some of the files were not uploaded.
So, back to Google Drive and I checked each folder, and indeed, several dozen (perhaps even hundreds) of the files on my computer's hard drive did not upload to Google drive. I tried manually selecting the missing files and uploaded them to their proper folders, hoping that would help, but no luck. Same problem.
Does Google drive place a limit on how many files can go into a folder? Any ideas?
PS: I tried this last night and it worked just fine. This morning I decided to change the sharing option to let only those with URL view the program. That's when the trouble began. I have since set it back to View by all, and noted a change in the URL, so pasted the change into my browser, but still get the problems described above.
Hi Richard! I think it only works if it everything you need is set to "PUBLIC" as the sharing option. I'm not aware of any limitations on the number of files...only the total storage space. (By the way you can get an extra 10GB if you download Quick Office and login via your iPad. https://plus.google.com/+GoogleDrive/posts/Gz5GpSeCW4x )
Hi Richard and Mike,
Just some confirmation. I also tried to set this up with "only those with URL"...nada! I already thanked you for this Mike, and tweeted about it, but thanks again!
Hi Mike,
I have been using Google Drive for sharing my courses for end users since a few months and I've found it really convenient and hassle free. Also google drive's server speed is much better than other hosting servers. But I have a question, and that is will the learners be having a certain bandwidth/download limitation to view a course via Google Drive..?
Example: Though the upload limit for the course owner on GOogle Drive is 15MB. That is okay. But can a learner access the course unlimited number of times through a google drive link or will there be a cap on download for the learner after he accesses the course 'n' number of times..? I hope you're getting what am trying to ask.
Hi Nalin,
This thread is a bit older, so I'm not certain that folks are still subscribed - but I believe there is a not a limit on the amount of times the user can download a course from Google Drive. I did a quick search through the Google Drive product help and saw some of their forums threads where users asked similar questions and it seems that there was not a limit on bandwidth - there are some Google limits here on number of users it could be shared with though.
Hello - just seen this on https://support.google.com/drive/answer/2881970?hl=en
"Announcement: This will not be available after August 31, 2016
You can continue to use this feature until August 31st, 2016, but after that, googledrive.com/host/ID will no longer work."
I really am going to have to build myself a website!
Hi Gavin,
Thanks for sharing here - and it's the first I've seen of this Google support info (or at least the first I remember today!) so I'll share with our team and see if they have any other thoughts or ideas.
Hi Gavin,
I did check with our team, and we're in the process of updating our documentation as Google has removed that functionality as indicated starting next Summer.
thanks, its a great help :-)
Glad that this older thread was able to assist you as well Karuna. Thanks for popping in to share :)
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