A lot of people are asking: What is the Cloud? We have a quick explanation! Read this article to find out:
The rise of cloud computing has given way to a general confusion about how this technology works. It’s also left people with a lot of questions. The first and foremost of these is:
What is the cloud?
In short, the cloud refers to a location where files are stored. Up until recent years, you probably only stored files on your computer’s hard drive (or maybe on CD’s, memory sticks, etc)
However, files are now increasingly being stored online–
- Pictures on Facebook
- Videos on Youtube
- Files in your Webmail account
So, what is the cloud for? Well, it’s simply a location online where you can access files that you’ve saved. But there’s a little more to the story…
What is the Cloud? –A Trade Off!
People are pretty happy to store their files and pictures in this manner because it’s convenient!
It’s just so easy to upload your pictures right to a social networking website, you may not always pay attention to where (or if) they actually get saved on your hard drive.
Similarly, perhaps you don’t bother making a copy of that important document that was emailed to you because you know it will always be saved there in your inbox.
Or so you hope!
The flipside to this convenience is a lack of control. When you store things in the cloud, you give up the ability to control how there stored and who has access to them. Sometimes you might even be giving control over how those files are used!
However, despite the disadvantages of this technology, cloud computing has given way to some amazing technologies!
What is the Cloud? –The Future!
Facebook and YouTube are easily recognizable applications of the cloud. But this technology is being used for much more than just social networking.
Businesses across the world are moving their computer operations into the cloud. This way, they can provide employees with easy access to files- no matter where they are! This is definitely changing what it means to “be at work”!
All sorts of products are being created that reference databases in the cloud! Many home appliances and even lighting fixtures can now be connected to the internet and controlled by cloud-based interfaces. And navigation systems are constantly updated with information in the cloud!
Cloud computing will continue to play an increasingly significant role in the lives of humans everywhere! As we move forward, it will be important for us to keep a clear grip on this technology. But that might prove to be difficult.
After all, this technology owes it’s success to being everywhere at once! :)
