Cloud computing and the ordinary web user
May 15, 2012
Cloud computing technology was in yester-years considered the next big thing in the IT sphere. Now it is here with us. Companies and individuals are using this technology in one way or another.
The number of cloud computing vendors has increased over the years as the new kid on the block takes root. Electronics firm LG recently unveiled its cloud service that will allow consumers a taste of the technology on the company’s smart televisions, PCs, and smartphones.
The Korean technology giant is offering free 5GB per person of data storage in the cloud for those with its smart gadgets. Users will also be able to stream content between their smartphone, television, and PC…
The company has created a division — Smart Business Centre — to handle the content and services of the new cloud.
LG is one of several tech firms that are dangling the cloud computing technology to consumers in an attempt to increase client numbers.
Google and Microsoft have also polished their cloud-based file storage services targeting the ordinary consumer.
Like LG’s cloud, the service from Google is available for free for the first 5GB of data storage.
Google Drive allows users to store files and any other data by leveraging on cloud computing technology.
Users have instant access to their content via Android smart devices, PCs, and tablets.
So, when your phone gets lost or your laptop is damaged, Google gives an assurance that all your documents, movies, and photos are safe in the cloud.
Google Drive allows users to work on their documents and share content from any mobile device anywhere.
It works well with Gmail and Google+. Beyond the default free storage space of 5GB, there are available packages in tiers of 25GB and 100GB and as much as 16TB.
The Google Drive cloud storage service was launched just a week ago. Microsoft’s SkyDrive service offers 7GB of free storage space with additional storage available in stacks of 20GB, 50GB, and 100GB.
Like the other file-hosting services, SkyDrive allows users to upload their content and sync it into the cloud while, at the same time, permitting access using a mobile device with a web browser.
SkyDrive integrates well with Office documents, PowerPoint presentations, and spreadsheets. There are a number of dedicated cloud storage services available to web users.
But what does it mean to move to the cloud, especially for ordinary web users and small and medium enterprises?
Moving to the cloud
Cloud computing is changing the way people store information and collaborate in the networked world.
In cloud computing, data is stored in a “nebulous” set-up of servers and is readily accessible anywhere via Internet connection on a mobile device.
To the ordinary web user, the clear fact is that you are not tied to a single desktop computer since your documents are accessible from anywhere.
You can also work on the go. When Google, Microsoft, and other vendors talk of 5GB free storage, the bottom line is that they are taking custody of your data by storing it on their servers, which make up the cloud.
In the cloud computing matrix, the user’s data is safe in off-shore servers such that in case the workstation computer, laptop, or mobile develops a problem or gets stolen, the information is not lost.
Traditional computing is PC-centric while cloud computing introduces unlimited mobility, storage flexibility, and scalability.
With a service like Google Drive, SkyDrive, or Dropbox, an employee can start work on a document at the workplace on the office computer and proceed to edit and share with others on a mobile device or laptop anywhere. There is no need of carrying data on a flash disk.
Surviving in the cloud
As an emerging technology, cloud computing has both benefits and drawbacks. The benefits are clear, and the limitations stem mainly from security issues.
Although users are familiar with a substantial number of cloud-based services, questions and fear usually arise when sensitive data is to be stored in the cloud.
Movement of data within the fluid cloud and security of the information remain a mystery to some users, hence prompting reluctance to move to the clouds.