Tech Head in the Clouds

Just Do It .... Online.


For several years now I have been talking about Cloud computing. I do believe that it is the move revolutionary move in computing, and will change how PCs are built and distributed. But what is Cloud computing exactly? How will it change to home PC? And why is it a good thing to move over?






Once Upon a Time ....


Many people probably don't remember this, but when email started there were a few things you had to do to get it working. You had to sign up for an email account with a provider, but then you had to use an email client to send and receive, Microsoft's Outlook, Firefox's Thunderbird and Apple's imaginatively named Mail. But then we had the world of webmail. Everything you need to do with emails, writing, sending, reading and organising can all be done within the browser. No downloading software, no using the in built-in applications. Just login with you internet enabled device or computer and get on with it.

The Cloud can work with all internet connected devices

The Cloud


Looking at webmail we can see the beginnings of the Cloud. And that is the concept behind it all. Don't buy a small program to sit on your PC, do it online. Don't spend time setting up and configuring an application to perform a task, do it online. Don't download a small chess or word games, do it online. The chances are you already Cloud compute to a certain extent. We all have an app on Facebook to play a game, and we have all watched an on demand TV service. As I write this blog, it is effectively a word processor/HTML editor inside a browser. But we can take the whole idea a step further and apply real productivity. Think about what you do in a day of average PC use? Word process and use spreadsheets at work? Small photo editing and album creating at home? Creating a small, on the side business needing a calendar and some contact management?


It's Good to Share, and be Clean


So why make the change? Well Cloud computing gives a whole host of advantages, but here are the biggest.

• No installation. PC/Laptop will work more efficiently with less installed onto them. A good web browser like Chrome will give a whole workstation with one little program.
• Absolute Backup. The one thing I lecture everyone about is backup, and not just a drive next to your PC, because if someone breaks in they will probably take that too. Have it online and all you have to do is log on.
• Collaboration. More business related this one, but where I work I have to deal with a lot of data, and therefore spreadsheets. This is my hell as I get one spreadsheet put it in a folder, then come back to it a couple days later with 3 completely different edited version (data_ new_2302_final_newversion_DavesBits.xls). Online is one file, that everyone can edit, simultaneously.
• Version Conflicts. We all have these issues (even on Macs before anyone wants to argue) where a software is improved and becomes increasing incompatible with the previous versions. With Cloud computing the updates happen online, and can occur more often as a result.

So How do I Get Into the Cloud?


The Cloud is in different forms, some give you full application whilst others just store and sync files. Google around a little bit and see what's available to make a choice in how to move over what you do now locally, and as I always say, you have to first ask yourself a question: What do I want to do?
These are some of the choices you could go for:

• Google Docs. In the world of Office applications, this is king. Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Presentation and Drawings are the first few applications (check out Forms and Tables after that). Files can be shared and collaborated with 50 people working simultaneously on a document. Documents can be embedded such as the quick Cloud info-graphic at the top of this page.

• Napster. Once illegal file sharing service, now legit and really nothing but my personal preference. The reason for me choosing this one is that I can download to my Mp3 player, and have a web interface (and downloaded software available) for a flat monthly fee, and the content is very good. These things may not be a requirement to you, so iTunes and Amazon music may well be a good option.
• Picasa Web Albums & Picnik. Not for the photographers amongst us, but for quick edits such as cropping and changes in lighting is a simple option for pics for profile and social networking, and storage for albums for holidays and events. Backed up and share though a link. Flickr is better for the serious snapper though.
• Mini-Clip. Do I need to explain this one? I think we all have had a little procrastinate to Mini-Clip for a couple of Flash Based games.
• Xeround. A Cloud based Database for the more techy. Always on and available and fully compatible with MySQL Applications.
• iCloud. One for the Applites, using internet connections to sync files on a multitude of Mac OSX and iOS devices all from your iTunes ID.
• DropBox. Online file storage here. Automatically syncs to all devices where ever you are, so no emailing stuff to yourself or transferring to external devices which has a lot of problems .....

Not for Everything

Well in the world we use so many different types of software for different productivity. And quite frankly we cannot probably use AutoCAD or Photoshop in a browser. So there is a line that has to been drawn to whether or not you should go for an installed version or Clouds based solution. Personally I think was is the extent of what I want to do? Do I want to create a quick document or a fully formatted one? For example I may want to write a quick letter to my phone company - Google Docs. But at work with proposals and full formatting options - I am going to Microsoft. But sometimes you do need both. I write and record music, and with that I like to try out new ideas. I use Audiotool online to work with sounds quickly, but when it come to fully editing and writing I can export to my desktop option Cakewalk. 

It's the Future


So Cloud computing takes our desktop way of using applications and moves them online through a browser. It brings a great solution to problems we all encounter on a regular basis. But look at the options and what suit you or whether you should move over for a certain application. Chromebooks from Google is the first true embrace into this world, its a netbook that has a very light operating system (Chrome OS), and very little hard drive space and processing. But think of what the netbook is, small applications and day to day often used in conjunction with a desktop. The Chromebook encompasses all of this for a very reasonable price and has a lot of applications through the Chrome Web Store (also an be used through the Chrome browser). A homebrew version can be built with a netbook and JoliCloud Linux, a project I am working on myself. The move will be slow, but as businesses start up now they are choosing external exchanges and Cloud applications to lower IT costs.


Any thoughts or other Cloud solutions, leave a comment.


Dom