The What and Why of Cloud Computing
This is the first post in my series on Cloud Computing. Click here for the introduction and index.
What is cloud computing?
Cloud computing describes computing where the Internet and Internet technology is a major portion of an application. Examples of Cloud Computing include Web Mail programs, like Gmail, and photo sharing applications like Photobucket. Typically cloud computing only requires a web browser on the users’ computer, and an Internet connection.
Why is it called cloud Computing ?
Cloud computing got it name because about 15 years ago when people created diagrams of network connections they decided to make the Internet look like a cloud. (Don’t know why, but its always been that way.–they could have used a mushroom and called it mushroom computing…much more interesting.)
Why would you want use cloud computing
With cloud computing you don’t have invest in top of the line hardware to run sophisticated programs, the powerfull hardware is on on the server. All you need is a computer with a web browser, and an Internet connection. There are many applications that are free, and other applications can be used via subscription and may be more cost effective than purchasing an application for your PC . (This pay as you go method of prvoiding sofware is sometimes called Software as a Service or SaaS.) You also don’t have worry about updating your software and your data is stored on the server so you don’t have to worry about a PC crash destroying your data.
How about a picture of cloud computing ?
Cloud Diagram
What if I want to see real pictures of clouds ?
How about a Cloud Computing Haiku ?
Why clouds and not rain/Rain makes the computer wet/Clouds block the sun’s glare
Cloud computing sounds great so far.. but wait for my next post where I talk about the advantages and disadvantages of cloud computing. (Storm clouds on the horizon perhaps.)
By Jeff Spiller, June 14, 2009 @ 12:10 pm
Yyou can use it as long as you attribute it back to this blog