It seems that everyone is
talking about “cloud computing”; the cloud is constantly mentioned in
mainstream media such as movies, commercials, and articles.
So what exactly
is the cloud and where did it come from?
Many people are unsure about
the answer to these questions. Today we
will explain all that you need to know about cloud computing, and how it
impacts your daily Internet activity.
In the simplest terms, cloud
computing means storing and accessing data and programs over the Internet
instead of your computer's hard drive. This pool of computing resources includes servers,
storage, applications, and voice services.
The “cloud” is essentially just
a metaphor for the Internet: a gigantic server-farm infrastructure that’s accepting
connections and throwing out information as it floats.
How is this more beneficial than just storing things
on your computer hard drive?
Since your files are
connected through the Internet you don’t have to worry about any storage
filling up and slowing down your computer, nor do you have to worry about
losing those files due to computer mishaps. You also have the convenience of
being able to access your saved content from nearly any Internet device.
Smartphone
apps use cloud computing technology to let you store and access data that
normally wouldn't fit on your handheld device. TIP Solutions, in fact, is about to roll
out a cloud-based app service named CALLcheck that captures, in the cloud,
information about who calls you when your mobile phone is off the cellular
network. Right now, this information is lost. You can check out the
CALLcheck cloud service here: www.callsnapapp.com
Looking for an easy and secure (and free) cloud-based
storage service? Download Dropbox.
With Dropbox, users can drop
any file into your own dedicated and personally made folders. The file is then automatically uploaded to
Dropbox's cloud-based service and made available to any other of the user's
computers and devices that also have the Dropbox application installed. These folders are able to easily synchronize
into your own personal storage or shared with others. You are also able to allow file
collaborations, where other Dropbox users whom you approve are able to access
and contribute to the contents within a folder. The service is free up until a
set storage size, and for more capacity a paid subscription is required.
