Cloud Computing, Online Backup and You

Hands up who know what Cloud Computing is. Ifjust word processing and spreadsheets. You can now
you've ever used MSN Hotmail, Google Gmail orperform tasks like backing up your PC. Generally,
another online email client, then you've experiencedback-up is performed either via an external/internal
cloud computing. Traditionally software including emailhard drive, via CD/DVDs, Memory Stick or the old
software such as Outlook and Lotus Notes are soldtape drives. All of the methods work, but they are
as applications that you install and use through yourtime consuming, can be difficult to manage, are prone
desktop. Application that live on online provide youto failure and can be expensive.
with the same/similar functionality but you don't installCloud computing has revolutionised backing up your
them, you simply login to a website and access yourhome PC. Why? It's quick, it's simple, it does it all for
account and the application.you and its cheap. It works by installing a small
With cloud computing application you don't have toapplication on your PC which backs up your files to a
go to the trouble of hosting them nor be concernedremotely located server then keeps an eye on your
where the information you save is stored. Thefiles so that whenever you add or update a file, it
provider of the service looks after all of that for you.automatically updates your backup. As you continue
Cloud computing aps also usually allow you to accessto use your computer, it identifies the changes as
you documents from any computer with an Internetwell as new files and transfers them to your online
connection.backup account. You don't have to remember to
A detailed article about Cloud Computing and how itbackup your data. It just does it!
is changing the business world can be found at ITThe clear benefit of this type of solution is that its
News. Quoted within the article:automatic and because your data is stored online
Gartner predicts that by 2012, 80 percent of Fortunethere is no clutter to worry about.
1000 enterprises will be paying for some cloudThere are numerous online backup services available
computing services, and 30 percent will be paying forsuch as Carbonite and Mozy that unlimited backup. So
cloud computing infrastructure services.no matter how many pictures of your kids you have,
Why would a company or even a home PC useryou can store them all online.
even consider a cloud computer solution? Mainly priceMany remote backup services for the domestic user
and functionality that may not be available elsewhere.are highly affordable, some even offer a small
Take MS Office vs Google Docs for example. If youamount of storage for free. The more popular
really wanted to use these tools and you didn't wantservices will cost you around $5-$6 per month, that's
to fork out the $190+ for MS Office (Home/Studentless than 20c per day. Not much to pay for the
Edition), you could access Google Docs. It's free, hassecurity of some of your most prized possessions.
most of the basic word processing functionality youSo what's the catch. Cloud computing is still relatively
need, can be access from any online computer, andnew (beyond email systems). Users need to develop
is safe from data loss. You can also export youra level of trust in cloud computing providers. Services
documents if you can't be online and use them withsuch as Google Docs, Mozy and Carbonite are global,
MS Office if you so desire.and these providers invest millions in data
Recently my hard drive failed and I had to spend awarehousing and are in it for the long term.
weekend reinstalling Windows and all my applications.Once we get over the trust factor, well then, cloud
Me email, however, was available immediately fromstyle services can be of great benefit to many users.
another PC as I use Gmail for all my emailWhy not give them a try, in many cases it won't
correspondance.cost you a dime.
Cloud computing can extend itself to doing more than