Welcome to the Cloud
Welcome to the Cloud
by Christopher Smith
For nearly two decades our relationship with computers and the internet has grown in countless ways, transforming our everyday lives and interconnecting people across the globe. Computing has truly become an integral part of our lives, society and culture, and it is amazing how quickly we have come to depend on them. Throughout this time though, how everyday computing is performed has essentially remained unchanged. We now are on the brink of a fundamental shift in how we use computers and the internet overall, and this shift is toward what is being called “Cloud Computing”.
Basically, where and how the processing, handling and storage of data takes place is migrating toward internet based systems as opposed to individually on our desktop computers. For example, once we purchased software at the local computer store; now we download software from the internet instead. The growth of online document collaboration systems as opposed to traditional word processing is another example. Many applications today run on networks of computers across the internet while the computer we are using is merely running a web browser or other software to interface with those online systems.
Today, the computing power and the data we have at our fingertips is still largely contained in the physical laptop or desktop computer we are using. “Cloud computing” means that the data and most of the computing power we use is actually handled by computer systems across the internet while the local computer we are using is really just an online interface and little else.
If you’ve noticed the explosion of online services appearing on the internet lately, you can see that this has been happening for years. We routinely perform banking online, social networking sites such as Facebook and Linked In are now social phenomena, online shopping is commonplace and online backup services are the norm. Online document creation and collaboration services such as wikis are gaining popularity. Many professionals work remotely using VPNs (virtual private networks) connected to centralized online systems as opposed to locally on their own personal computers. Laptops are getting smaller, cell phones are getting smarter, simple internet devices are getting more commonplace and affordable.
In the very near future our current concept of the personal computer will fade into memory. The vast majority of computer users will soon be performing almost all of their computing tasks entirely on the internet. We will access the computing power of the internet using similar devices as we have now such as laptops and handhelds, but the only function these devices will have will be establishing a connection to the internet and providing a smooth, enjoyable online experience while we use solely internet-based applications and services.
This migration of computing power from one’s physical computer to the internet at large carries some public concerns. Many find it difficult trusting that their data is safe and secure online, in a place they cannot see or touch. Hacking and virus propagation activity will continue to gravitate toward online services as well. Our concept of privacy will further erode. Responsibility for data security and application performance eventually will rest entirely on the shoulders of online application and service providers; you’ll no longer have to worry about using the right version of software or having the latest updates. The average computer user will ultimately trade usability and convenience for less control over how their data is used and handled.
It’s important to keep watching for major changes in how people use the internet in these times. Some examples are Twitter, Blastoff and Microsoft’s “Bing”. Be on the lookout for web-based operating systems such as Google’s “Chrome”. Educate yourself about the pros and cons of different online backup services, and always keep local copies of your data as well. Be watchful for online services that take over roles of traditional local software programs such as word processing, project development, productivity and games.
We are quite literally in the midst of an evolution in computing; a shift around how the world fundamentally regards and uses computers and the internet. The computer revolution has come and gone, but the digital age has just begun.
-Christopher Smith
