I don't think this does justice to the difference between any web app (software as a service), and one served through cloud computing. Any web app hosted on a single server can have almost all of the characteristics listed below. Cloud computing is just a way of managing the servers and data storage of a web app, so that the number of people served can be scaled up automatically. It's nothing more than that.
__________________________________ Do, or do not. There is no "Try". -Yoda > >From: Carl Webb <[email protected]> >To: 501 Tech Club Austin <[email protected]>; refresh-austin ><[email protected]> >Sent: Tue, May 4, 2010 12:06:41 AM >Subject: [Refresh Austin: 5214] What is Cloud Computing, and Why is Everyone >Talking About it? > > >Keeping >Austin Nerdy >by Lainie Duro > >What > is Cloud Computing, and >Why is Everyone Talking About it? > >Many of you have probably heard the term “Cloud Computing” >discussed, but only vaguely defined. It seems to be one of those terms, >like Web 2.0, that less-accommodating nerds seem to think are >universally understood and pointless to explain. Thankfully, some nerds >know better than to assume everyone is hip to the most recent additions >to techspeak, so I’m devoting this article to an explanation of cloud >computing, including what it means, how it’s used and what its >implications are for the future. > >> >Cloud computing is something many of you have probably taken advantage >of already without even knowing it. Any web-based email system, such as >Gmail, Yahoo! Mail, or Hotmail, utilizes the concepts of cloud computing > to allow you access to your free email account. Using the internet >browser on your computer, these email services enable you to access an >email application on a remote server to check email data, which is also >stored on a remote server. That’s cloud computing in a nutshell. > >> >Email and remote file storage is an application of cloud computing that >has existed for a long time. However, as the speed of data transfer over > the internet increases, so does the potential for remote services. Five > years ago, it would have been very difficult to deliver anything more >complex than basic email over the internet. Today, there are many robust > applications that can run over high-speed connections with greater >efficiency, and are thus more convenient to deliver from a central >location. > >> >So what are the advantages of remote storage and remote application >delivery? There are many answers to this question. First, while the cost > of hardware has decreased over the years, the cost and availability of >numerous specialized software applications has not. Therefore, the ratio > of the cost of software to hardware has become skewed. As more >individuals and businesses seek to utilize specialized software to solve > problems, it is sometimes helpful to rent, rather than own the software > package. Offering software “in the cloud” on a perusal basis allows >people to access the applications they need without a hefty initial >outlay of cash to purchase them. Additionally, if more people need to >use the same software package at the same time, the end user does not >have to bother with individual installations or licensing, nor do they >have to worry about installing applications on a local computer that >might take up more space than is available. This aspect of cloud >computing is becoming increasingly important more people use small >“netbook” and “tablet” computers that might not have a lot of storage >space for applications. No space? No problem! One can log in remotely to > access applications and data, thus expanding their capacity almost >infinitely. > >> >Keep in mind, too, that if applications and data are available for >download from a remote service, you do not have to be tethered to the >same computer in order to access them. What this means is that you can >access your data or utilize your applications from any computer that has > access to the internet, freeing you from your desktop, and allowing for > greater flexibility in transporting files from one location to another. > Remote data storage also opens up avenues for increased collaboration, >as multiple users can access the data easily. > >> >The ability to utilize applications on a per-use cost and resource >basis, and the ability to access data from any computer that has access >to the internet sound like wonderful things…and they are. However, there > is a downside to this seeming nerd-topia. For one thing, as quickly as >our technical landscape shifts, our societal/legal infrastructure has >difficulty keeping up. There is still some confusion about the rules >governing data that is not owned by the individual who originated the >data. And while there haven’t been significant court cases to address >this issue, you might have seen alerts and cautions among friends about >services such as Facebook, and its rights to your private photos and >writings, which portend future questions remote data storage and remote >services might engender. Namely: if data is stored on a server that no >one individual owns, does anyone own the data? > >> >The other major issue to consider is security. If your data is stored >offsite, how can you be sure of the security of your data? There are >many different reasons to be concerned about the security of data in the > cloud. First, like the legality of ownership, there is not yet a lot of > regulatory infrastructure around cloud computing, so it can be >difficult to find a good provider. Individuals or businesses that store >data offsite need to be certain to find vendors with a proven track >record. It’s also important to note that while your physical computer >might reside in the United States, and therefore be governed by US laws, > your data might not be, and, again, regulation is slow to catch up with > innovation! > >> >The last issue that needs to be considered is long-term viability of the > organization storing your data or delivering your application. What >happens to your data if the company that is renting out space goes >under? Are you assured you will get it back? What if the company that is > renting out space gets sold to another company? Do you retain the same >rights to your data that you did before? > >> >These items should not deter the casual user of cloud computing, nor >should they impede the progress of cloud-delivered applications and >services. However, they are issues that need to be worked out as we >begin to move our data to remote servers, and rent applications from >remote resources. So as you venture forth into the cloud, be sure to do >your research, maintain and account for your files, and keep tabs on >legislation that addresses cloud computer, remote storage of files, and >remote access to application. > >More > Resources About Cloud Computing: > >http://witnessthis.wordpress.com/2010/03/29/cloud-computing-for-dummies/ > >http://communication.howstuffworks.com/cloud-computing.htm201 E. 2nd >Street, Suite B | Austin, Texas 78701 > > >-- >>Our Web site: http://www.RefreshAustin.org/ >> >>You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >>"Refresh Austin" group. >> >>[ Posting ] >>To post to this group, send email to [email protected] >>Job-related postings should follow http://tr.im/refreshaustinjobspolicy >>We do not accept job posts from recruiters. >> >>[ Unsubscribe ] >>To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>[email protected] >> >>[ More Info ] >>For more options, visit this group at >>http://groups.google.com/group/Refresh-Austin > -- Our Web site: http://www.RefreshAustin.org/ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Refresh Austin" group. [ Posting ] To post to this group, send email to [email protected] Job-related postings should follow http://tr.im/refreshaustinjobspolicy We do not accept job posts from recruiters. [ Unsubscribe ] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] [ More Info ] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Refresh-Austin
