For some time the idea of cloud computing has been floating around (scuse the pun) on the web as the next emerging technology set to transform the way we all work, play think and breathe in cyberspace.
But the real meaning of what THE CLOUD is and does has for most of us been pretty much analogous to the big white fluffy thing that floats around and keeps changing shape – which is about as close to any clear definition many of us have at the moment.
So I will continue to stretch the analogy and say that as with all ecological changes in the web landscape the actual form and definition of what the Cloud is (or what it might become ) is still taking shape, and will no doubt continue to change as consumers and infrastructure adapt to what will become this new modus operendii.
Bill Gates the Prophet (not the profit)
I remember listening to Bill Gates several years back saying that the Future of computing is in The Cloud i.e. all information will no longer be held locally on your our own PC or devices – instead there will be massive remote array of interconnected servers doing all the stuff that we currently rely on our own trusty hard drives to store (and to protect to a greater or lesser degree) That includes all our own data property private files, media and software stuff we have accumulated over the the years.
Maybe its due to the impracticalities of trying to store all this private data on ageing hardware, as well as having to update Operating Systems and software which has made us relax our grip on our locally stored stuff. Storage of data after all takes up increasing amounts of drive space, is difficult to access when we are out and about unless we have set up secure VPNs and/or network access – which for most people is impractical.
The explosion in social networking also has perhaps unconsciously wrought a massive shift to a new era of personal data sharing – from a few tweets to youtube videos and through to the more intimate stuff that we perhaps we now wish we hadn’t been quite so carefree about putting out there.
Along with the increase in connection reliability and speed we all are starting to feel that bit more confident about communing in a broad sense via the Cloud – which has subsequently responded by technologically stepping up to the plate.
What it is not…
I think one thing we need to get our heads around first of all is that the cloud is not simply data storage - its a whole range of potential benefits where we no longer have to do the techie type stuff – from updating software, setting up networks, backing up our data etc etc. An example to illustrate this might be Google Docs . Xref the old method of writing a Memo or article in Word and the saving to your local hard drive. Who can access it apart from you? Before anyone else can acces it you have to email or share it on the network – or change into a compatible format etc etc for somebody else just to open it.
Google Docs changes this by offering a web based App(lication), so no installing from disks and no need to update to the latest version. You just do the typing and then share. In fact this can be dome in real time also so that another person working on the same document can see the changes as they happen.
The above example just illustrates the massive potential of cloud computing – and that includes increased security, data back up, reliability and potentially global networking without the overheads or hassles.
Yes it does seem to make a lot of sense. The massive uptake of ’mobile’ device and Apps and the impact of sales of iPads on conventioanl PC sales perhaps is indicative already to a consumer shift to doing things in the Cloud.
Predicting the future of Cloud computing very much depends on a number of factors, not least of which is the roll out of faster and more reliable web connection infrastucture. However our early adoption does not seem to be the issue as device vendors and consumers are chomping at the bit to rollout the latest techno toys and Apps – no longer is our own concern for data privacy the barrier to any growth – in fact quite the opposite.
Cloud Vectors and Vendors
Surprisingly perhaps its Apple who are taking the more cautious approach with iCloud- which may be partly down to a protection of their own revenues and their knack of interpreting (and creating) current market demand, despite their boldness with the iPad – now arguably the flagship of all cool cloud devices. They seem to be adopting a more centralised Hub approach (and no prizes for guessing in which direction the revenue streams will be flowing)
Meanwhile Google in the oppposite corner are very much ahead of the game with their roll out of ‘Cloudware’ (Open Source Android OS ,Google Apps etc ad infinitum) . They still optimistically see the cloud as the ultimate liberation from local storage and control and are confidently pressing ahead with their vision of the Cloud as The Locus of control.
Whatever the definition as always it will be the consumer who will determine what is happening in the Cloud. As with all things on the Web, personally I see it developing way beyond expectations, current technologies and constraints – it will be what we want it to be -a bit like looking at a cloud really.
Oh, and I got through all that and didn’t mention viruses once. Well just the once at the end then.
Useful free ‘Cloud’ stuff:
Google Docs:
Well worth watching the video clip of this
http://bit.ly/aOzRxy
DropBox:
https://www.dropbox.com/
Useful file sharing Web App – synchronises mobiles, laptops and PC. A bit like having a desktop on the web so you can share files with friends and colleagues easily.
Webcam sharing:
http://www.ispyconnect.com
Arguably not strictly a cloud App ‘per se’ but nevertheless a great web app which makes synchronising lots of different video cameras(security and otherwise) really easy.
Google’s Social networking offering looking really useful when its rolled out with lots of easy web sharing tools and more privacy control than Facebook:
MS Office 365 is a web based version of Word,Excel,Outlookwith website editing and collaboration tools (subscription based)
http://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/office365/what-is-office365.aspx
(I’ll add more when i get a mo but feel free to suggest any and I’ll have a look and maybe add them in.)
