Cloud computing: An introduction

Cloud computing An introduction Matthew “Buzzy” Nielsen Assistant Director, North Bend Public Library This presentation is licensed under a Creative Commons 3.0 Attribution United 10/01/2010 States license. For more information, visit http://www.creativecommons.org

You've got a computer

And you can do stuff on them Write documents Edit photos Manage your calendar

And normally that stuff is stored on your computer

But what if you want to access that info on a different computer?

Or a completely different device? Mobile phone

Or have some friends help you with them? Photo source: "computer updating" by Per Ola Wiberg on Flickr

Enter Cloud Computing

Cloud computing: Accessing computer services, files, or information via the Internet or a network rather than your individual computer.

The Internet is a network of computers talking to each other

By relying on “The Cloud,” you are relying on that network Image source: Sam Johnson, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cloud_computing.svg

Example of Cloud Computing: Web-based office programs

Typing a letter, on your computer

Or on the Internet http://docs.google.com You can edit documents similar to using a word processor on your computer.

Your friends can also help out

Create spreadsheets and presentations, too! There's even some surprising functionality, like separate worksheets

You can even edit photos! http://picnik.com

Demonstration: Editing a photo on picnik.com

Cloud Computing, pros & cons Advantage #1: Available from any computer with Web access Disadvantage #1: Dependent on internet access (usually) Not dialup-friendly (usually)

Other Cloud-based office programs OfficeLive (office applications) http://officelive.com Phixr (photo editor) http://phixr.com PhotoShop Express (photo editor) http://www.photoshop.com/tools

Example of Cloud Computing: Online document storage/backup

Backup important files to the Web http://dropbox.com

And do so automatically!

Tell Dropbox what to backup

And back them up online

Even accessible on the go Dropbox can be accessed on mobile phones and any computer with Web access.

Demonstration: Uploading a file to Dropbox

Cloud Computing, pros & cons Advantage #2: You can backup files and information to a more reliable place than just your personal computer Disadvantage #2: You lose some degree of control, meaning that the security of your files depends on the security of the service you're using

Other Cloud-based backup programs FilesAnywhere http://filesanywhere.com Mozy http://mozy.com

Example of Cloud Computing: Data managers

Calendaring across devices Enter an event in the calendar application on your home computer. (Example here: Sunbird)

Calendaring across devices It gets “synced” to an online service (Example here: Google Calendar)

Calendaring across devices And you can view it on other devices, like mobile phones (Example here: Android calendaring app)

Demonstration: Adding and syncing a contact

Lots of alternatives http://apple.com/mobileme MobileMe: A popular paid alternative for Macs

Many types of data can be synced

Cloud Computing, pros & cons Advantage #3: Portability – You can access your data across multiple applications and devices Disadvantage #3: Privacy – Companies can monitor your information for business-related purposes (e.g. advertising)

Other Cloud-based services: Antivirus Cloud antivirus pulls virus protection files dynamically from the Web, rather than storing them on your computer

The gist: Cloud computing gives you an incredible amount of flexibility of your information by sacrificing some degree of control over it.

Questions? View this presentation on slideshare: http://www.slideshare.net/nbpl/cloud-computing-5333661 This presentation was made using open source software. OpenOffice Chrome GIMP Android Impress Web browser Image editor Mobilephone Presentation program operating system

Cloud computing: An introduction

by North Bend Public Library

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