Google Drivers experience sheer terror in temporary system crash
Shockwaves were felt throughout the workforce on Friday, with productivity dropping to record lows (probably) as Google Drive experienced a temporary outage that threatened to divert the entire internet’s attention.
At least, that was the impression that social media users gave when confronted with the situation.
Users first got a sign that things had gone hellishly awry when they tried to click on documents that they had saved on Google Drive – such as spreadsheets and documents – only to discover an alarming notification telling them their file “does not exist,” causing their stomachs to sink to their toes.
Hey @GoogleDrive, this "file does not exist" message is a fantastic way to terrify your users during an outage. pic.twitter.com/WNg0tMuYRt
— Emily Peters (@EmilyFPeters) October 9, 2015
Of course, the news was greeted with sheer, unadulterated terror.
I felt a great disturbance in the Internet, as if millions of Google Docs users suddenly cried out in terror.
— Kevin Bankston (@KevinBankston) October 9, 2015
Google Drive is down, so everyone act accordingly http://t.co/XSY9mSCo65pic.twitter.com/aA3abZ6onl
— The Next Web (@TheNextWeb) October 9, 2015
While some users experienced the crash when they tried to open files, others could not even load Google Drive at all.
Google Drive team right now.. pic.twitter.com/hvTpHOq2Q8
— Jonathan Shariat (@DesignUXUI) October 9, 2015
Google described the outage as a “service disruption” and stated it was investigating the issue, which began at about 3 pm.
Looks like something's up with Docs - but fear not, we’re on it & you’ll be editing again in no time. Stay tuned here!
— Google Docs (@googledocs) October 9, 2015
Some Twitter users took to the native language of the internet – cats – to show their displeasure
When you're waiting for Google Docs to come back online. pic.twitter.com/aiWQ9uBuec
— Zack Whittaker (@zackwhittaker) October 9, 2015
Others prepared to curse technology, even though they were powerless to remedy it.
About to pull an Abe Simpson on Google Drive being down #google#googledrivepic.twitter.com/9mJvOYW2fY
— Alberto Aviles (@A_Aviles) October 9, 2015
Perhaps most depressing of all, though, is that some users were traumatized enough by the whole situation that they had to resort to even more… insidious measures.
*accepts Google docs is down for now*
*slowly opens Word*
Hello darkness my old friend...
— Hillary Weiss (@HCWeiss) October 9, 2015
Before anyone could plunge too deep into darkness, though, Google notified the internet that the problem was solved around 5:30 pm.
Docs is all clear. Thanks for letting us know, and for staying with us.
— Google Docs (@googledocs) October 9, 2015