Focus On: Cloud Computing

The basic premise behind cloud computing is that software applications and data will be stored on large centralized data centers instead of the user’s local machine.  Instead of accessing applications and data from the user’s hard drive, they will be accessed from someplace remotely via the internet.

Cloud computing can be quite a complex idea, and there still is a lot of discussion amongst experts about exactly how to characterize it.  It obtained its name through the metaphor of a shared source of data that anyone can access as a cloud in the sky.

The four components of cloud computing are:

Data: This includes personal files (such as pictures, documents, etc.) as well as any other data that is required to run your applications.  Some companies that currently use this technology are Google, Dropbox, Box.net, and Drop.IO.

Applications: Applications are the software that allow us to achieve the productivity we require from computers – think Microsoft Office.   Google Docs is a great example of a cloud computing application that combines cloud data and applications into one framework.

Hardware: As high-speed internet becomes more available, the way we access the applications and data of the cloud will continue to become easier for everyone. Instead of relying on desktop or laptop computers, we now and will continue to have more access top data via a wide variety of smaller, more flexible computing devices, including  smart phones and netbooks.

High-Speed Internet: Without high-speed internet, cloud computing would not be possible.  Accessing data and applications can only be accomplished through a robust broadband network.  Expect to high-speed availability improve greatly in the next few years.

Cloud computing has become and will continue to be an important concept in computing.  Watch for computing technology to continue to shift towards “the cloud” in coming years.

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