just an asterisk

There seems to be quite a bit of confusion about what “cloud computing” really means.

“Cloud computing is Internet-based computing, whereby shared resources, software and information, are provided to computers and other devices on-demand, like the electricity grid.” (Wikipedia)

I’m a geek and the above, although well intentioned is about as easy to understand as the other buzzy language I hear on the topic.  Let’s write our own definition (in a few parts):

1.  The “cloud” is the internet – the mass of computers connected together all over the world.

2.  Often we use software on our computers (Microsoft Word, Internet Explorer, ITunes, etc).  We have seen the disks to “install” these things.

3.  Sometimes, we use software on the internet (Gmail, Google Calendar, Twitter, etc).  This software is not on our computers as it’s “on the internet”.

4.  ”On the internet” means that internet applications are really on someone else’s computer (according to our definition of the internet – point 1).

Therefore, in super, super simple terms:

Cloud Computing = Making someone else’s computer do the work.

Soooooo – if cloud computing is just making someone else’s computer do the work, I try to make my computer do the minimum amount of work possible (it’s only fair).

A great example of this concept is the Chromium OS – Google’s attempt to make an operating system that’s based on “cloud software” (this would be in place of Windows or Mac OS that may be on your computer now).

Here’s a quick video to learn more…

So now you know what cloud computing is, but you might be wondering “what’s the big fuss???”  Imagine this futuristic world:

You no longer need a computer.  Everything around you has an internet connection and you can login to your website from everything (even the toaster). On your website, you have your documents, which you can edit with Microsoft Office.  However, the software for Microsoft office is also online, so there’s nothing to install… You can just open a document and start typing.  When you’re done, you click email and your email opens.  Your photos from your camera have uploaded to the site and are available to email to your friends (remember everything is connected).  You write yourself a few reminders in your task application and head off to work.  All this information is available via your phone if you need it (or the next toaster you come across).  In fact, no one cares what program you have or device you carry, because it’s all instantly and universally available.

Thus ends my reverie…  Maybe I’m biased, but to me, cloud computing is the amazing attempt to simplify our lives into a single internet presence.  It’s not going to happen tomorrow, but the steady shift of our software from our computers to the internet is the first phase. Buzz word it may be, but it’s still an awesome concept.

Not much else I can add…  Hope this has been a fun post.  Ping me with questions – ab@justansterisk.com.

Enjoy,

~ab

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 17th, 2010 at 8:22 pm and is filed under Educational, future post. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.

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