Cloud Computing and I?
I thought I would start a few posts on Cloud Computing and how it impacts the everyday PC user. Why, well because I think over the next 5 years it will change the way we use our PCs.
Defined as:
Cloud computing literally means Internet (‘Cloud’) based development and use of computer technology (‘Computing’). It is a style of computing where IT-related capabilities are provided “as a service” using Internet technologies to multiple external customers. It allows users to access technology-enabled services without knowledge of, expertise with, or control over the technology infrastructure that supports them. See Wikipedia
Have you seen it? You will have experienced it if you use an MSN Hotmail email account or a Google Gmail account. Traditionally software including email software eg Outlook and Lotus Notes are sold as applications that you install and control through your desktop. Cloud computing equivalents, provide you with the same/similar functionality but you don’t install them, you simply login to a website and access your account and the application. You don’t have to worry about hosting them nor about where the information you save is stored. The provider of the service looks after all of that for you.
A detailed article about Cloud Computing and how it is changing the business world can be found at IT News. Quoted within the article
Gartner predicts that by 2012, 80 percent of Fortune 1000 enterprises will be paying for some cloud computing services, and 30 percent will be paying for cloud computing infrastructure services.
Why would a company or even a home PC user even consider a cloud computer solution? Mainly price and functionality that may not be available elsewhere. A good example is MS Office. If you really wanted to use these tools and you didn’t want to fork out the $190+ for it (Home/Student Edition), you could access Google Docs for free. I can only assume functionality is similar. It even lets you export the file so that you can then use it with other applications. Another good reason to use these ‘cloud’ services is because you can access the application and files from anywhere.
When travelling, you can pop into an internet kiosk and send your emails. Same thing with Google Docs and Spreadsheets you can work on a file at work and then access the same file at home. Very convenient.
Cloud computing also extends itself to backing up your PC. Traditionally, back-up is performed either via an external/internal hard drive, via CD/DVDs or via a Memory Stick. All of the methods work, but they are time consuming, can be difficult to manage, are prone to failure and can be expensive.
Cloud computing has revolutionised backing up your home PC. Why? Well, it’s quick, it’s simple, it does it all for you and its cheap. The way it works is that once you have installed the application, it begins reviewing your hard drive for folders and files and marks them as pending back-up. It then begins to copy and transfer them over the internet (securely) to the remote centre, where it securely stores them for you. As you continue to use your computer, it identifies the changes as well as new files and transfers them to your online backup account. You don’t have to remind it to do this. It just does it!
The clear benefit for this type of solution is that its automatic and because your data is stored online there is no hardware/clutter to worry about. Many services such as Carbonite offer unlimited back-up. So no matter how many pictures of the grandchildren you have, you can store them all online. Its also cheap. Carbonite retails for $59.95, that is security for 16c per day. Not much to pay for, for the security of some of your most prized possessions.
So what is the drawback. In Australia, cloud computing is still relatively new (beyond email systems). The Australian PC user needs to begin to trust the provider of the service before they place their most valued possessions with them. Services such as Carbonite that are global, and that invest millions in their warehousing facilities are in it for the long haul. They are also profitable businesses.
Once we get over the trust factor, well then, these cloud type services can be a gold mine for many people. Why not give them a try, it won’t cost you anything.
