3.3 Microsoft OneDrive

Our suggested approach assumes you have set up a Microsoft account through UBC (using your CWL), and have set up the OneDrive application on your own computer, which automatically syncs (when you’re online) selected files/directories between your local computer and your OneDrive account in the cloud.

Why OneDrive? As a UBC student, you receive 1TB of free storage! And you also get peace of mind knowing that your files are secure and up-to-date (provided you have an internet connection), and that OneDrive has something called “version control”, which saves old versions of files and allows you to see those versions if you wish, so long as you maintain the same file name.

WAIT A SECOND! In the “File Naming” instructions that I just reviewed, I was instructed to create a new file with a new version number in the filename (e.g. with a “V0”, “V1”, “V2” etc…) each time I worked on it!

Those instructions are entirely valid! However, when you have access to a version control system, like OneDrive, it is better to keep the file name the same, rather than changing it each time you update it. For example, your markdown file (which as a “.Rmd” extension to the name) that you use for your tutorial work should maintain the same name throughout the term, rather than saving a new file each time you do substantive work on it.

Assuming your files are syncing properly between your computer and OneDrive (and this simply requires that you’re connected to the internet), you will always be able to see (and if desired, restore) old versions of your files.

If you haven’t set up OneDrive yet, follow the instructions provided at this UBC IT website.

Using OneDrive is entirely optional. If you choose not to use OneDrive, please follow the file naming instructions from the Procedures and Guidelines document. And you can still follow the directory structure instructions below, regardless of where you set up your directories (OneDrive or not).