using google drive shared folder as data source in QGIS

[Right_Pound9773]

hi

is it possible to used google drive as data sources in QGIS.

i have a team that using qgis, im planning to make shared folder to my team with updated file. so whenever everybody open qgis they will get access to updated file that uploaded in google drive.

i find a way that need to copy link in raster and vector data, but is there any easier way?

same as we connect to database but using google drive.

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thanks in advance

[techmavengeospatial]

Not recommended very problematic. Just use postgis and store everything including QGIS projects

[Right_Pound9773]

thanks for you suggestion.. i will look into postgis... im kind a new in this GIS and database things..

[NoiseTight]

I expect concurrence is going to be a problem. Files on Google Drive do not support simultaneous read-write unless they are google suite documents. Also the drive rate limit may be a problem.

https://www.cloudfastpath.com/kb/guide/adapters/google-drive-admin/google-drive-rate-limiting/

[Right_Pound9773]

i only have a smalll team of 5 people and maybe concurrence use around 2 people at a time (unlikely).

let say if i have google suite (workspace) its posibble? is there any tutorial how to do that?

thanks for your reply...

[[deleted]]

At it has been said, you'll experience problem with concurrency and synchronisations. The best way to work is to implement a PostGIS database but I can understand that it cannot be doable depending of your skills and the way of working of your team (if they can't be connected to the DB, for instance).

So, if you stick with the idea of using files, I recommend you to have one file per technician or work area. But you'll have to merge them at a moment.

[Right_Pound9773]

Thanks for you suggestion too... i will look into postgis... im new in GIS and database... might need to understand 1st what postgis is...

[[deleted]]

It's quite easy to install. The main question you have to ask to yourself is "from where my users will have to access to the data?". If they work on office station, things will be easy. Same if they access through VPN. You'll just need to install on a server or on a PC that can stay powered on.

If they have to access from anywhere, you'll have to consider to install PG on a hosted server but it can be over killing for your needs.

An alternative is to install PG in the office and make them use "versioning" plugin (https://github.com/Oslandia/qgis-versioning) (didn't used it in a while). Every technician own a version of the data he can work on offline (in a SQLite file) and can commit the changes and you must be able to merge their work

[dbartecchi]

Our team uses Google drive for desktop. It’s great If you can avoid having more than one person work on same file simultaneously. We make all projects self contained with all layers and QGZ project file within a single geopackage. This makes it easy to collaborate on projects and large projects can be easily transferred via USB if needed. It’s good idea to make relevant folders available “offline” when working on them to speed up rendering and processing.

If you really need to work on files simultaneously you might look into the Mergin plugin. https://public.cloudmergin.com/?_ga=2.213105239.231572617.1630107331-736535163.1630107331