What is "The Cloud"? Get the basics on using "The Cloud" to store files; share and collaborate; backup your computer; and manage multiple online storage accounts. This manual serves as part of a workshop that introduces participants to "The Cloud".

1. The Cloud
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What is "The Cloud"?
According to WikiPedia, it's:
A file hosting service, cloud storage service, online
file storage provider, or cyberlocker is an Internet
hosting service specifically designed to host user
files. It allows users to upload files that could then be
accessed over the internet from a different computer,
tablet, smart phone or other networked device, by the
same user or possibly by other users, after a
password or other authentication is provided.
With technology trends moving towards cloud­based Typically, the services allow HTTP access, and
computing and online virtual storage capabilities, more and sometimes FTP access. Related services are
more companies are offering online storage services. content­displaying hosting services (i.e. video, image,
audio/music), virtual storage, and remote backup.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File_hosting_service
Why the importance?
Jump/Flash Drives get lost, boken, stolen, or
they may simply just fail. Storing information in
"the cloud" allows you to access your information
from any device that connects to the Internet
such as: Desktop, Laptop, Netbook, Tablet,
SmartPhone, or any portable media device.
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3. "The Cloud" also serves as a backup device.
This is also a good way to backup an existing
tablet, netbook, laptop, etc.
Other benefits include the ability to "share"
files or folders with others. This may be used to
collaborate on a project; swap family photos;
disseminate information to a class or board
members.
As a side note: I wouldn't advise placing
personal information into "The Cloud" for
securuty reasons and peace of mind.
While on the topic of security, these services
offer solid security as is. You must first create an
account by registering at the site and
establishing a USERNAME and PASSWORD.
This is key if you wish to gain access to your
information.
Since many companies are now offering
"cloud" services, they understand that security,
accessability, continuous backups are critical to
mainstream users. For those who desire
additional features [for a fee], there is also tech For more information on how to create a solid password,
support, greater storage capacity, and in some please read this NY Times article:
cases, the ability to manage multiple storage
accounts. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/08/technology/personalt
ech/how­to­devise­passwords­that­drive­hackers­
away.html?smid=li­share
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4. How does this work?
After you create an account, will may need to
check your email in order to verify the account.
This is another form of security.
Once you're in, create your profile. This is
now your space, so you can make modifications
to the account settings. Next, you can create
Folders, much the same way you would on your
computers desktop. Then, search your hard
drive for content to upload.
Some sites, such as Dropbox.com, ask you to
download a small app to your computer. This
app (short for "application"), allows you to have a
shortcut folder on your computer. Meaning, you
can save files directly to this new folder and items
will automatically upload to your account. Items
can be uploaded and shared regardless of the
platform you are using.
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5. What is the size of my storage
account?
Dropbox.com offers you 2GB of online
storage. All you need is to sign up to open a free
account. For addition storage capacity, in the
5GB range, there are other options, such as: the
Google Drive, Ubuntu One, OpenDrive, and
Amazon's own Cloud Drive. While SkyDrive
from Microsoft offers 7GB. For those who need
even more storage, there is 4Shared.com ­
which provide you with 15GB of online storage.
Early subscribers to Microsoft's SkyDrive
where able to acquire 25GB of online storage. As
stated above, current subscribers can only get
7GB.
Are there other types of online
storage available?
Yes. There are online services for musicians,
such as SoundCloud (http://soundcloud.com/) ­
where a musician or DJ can upload their music
files, share them, and monitor the number of
listeners that have come by. There is a FREE
version, but the fee­based version has additional
features.
There are also online storage for artists, such
as MyFolio (http://www.myfolio.com/) ­ where
artists can store and share their artwork as well
as collaborate with other artists.
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6. Now ‐
For this workshop, we'll create an account at
4Shared.com ­ since they offer 15GB of free
online storage, let's take advantage of this.
On your way to creating this account bear in
mind that there are somethings to watch out for.
For example, you will be asked to download and
install the "4Shared.com Toolbar" ­ please
decline. In my experience, the toolbar has
some features that should be disabled, but
unfortunately, I was not able to get the "Toolbar
Options" to work at all.
You'll also be asked whether you want to
download and install "4Sync". This is a good
idea to do if you have multiple devices ­ such as,
Laptops, Tablets, SmartPhones, etc. By
'syncing' all of your devices, you will always have
access to your information.
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7. How to store and share files!
After you establish your account, begin by
uploading files: documents, powerpoints,
spreadsheets, music/audio files, video clips,
graphics/photos, etc.
Select the file you wish to share.
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8. Type in the name(s) of the people you want to
share with and press ENTER when done.
The receipient(s) will reveive a notification
that something has been sent to them. Once this
notification is clicked, they can see what the item
is and if they choose to, click the item, then the
download process will begin.
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9. Once the download is complete, it will appear in
your list of files. Click the file to preview.
Click the DOWNLOAD button to store the file
onto your computer.
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10. How do you manage multiple
accounts?
If you're like me, who has multiple online
storage accounts and do not enjoy having to
login into every account to see where things are
located, then try ZeroPC [www.zeropc.com].
The user interface allows you to easily access
your accounts all at once. All this for FREE.
There is also a subscription option to ZeroPC,
where you can then add additional accounts to
your online storage arsenal, which in turn would
significantly increase your storage size
capabilities. I use the subscription version which
allows me to add additional Dropbox and
4Shared accounts. This interface can also be
accessed from your desktop, laptop, notebook or
netbook, and tablet.
Note: I have not tried a SmartPhone yet.
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11. One Location ‐ Accessed One Time ‐
With the FREE version, you can have all of
these accounts at your finger tips with just one
login.
You can view your accounts at a glance.
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12. At a glance, you'll be able to view the status of
your virtual storage drives.
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13. The ZeroPC Interface on your computer.
The interface as it looks on a tablet.
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14. A view of additional features
­ The Cloud ­
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15. Notes:
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16. Eddie Vega
phone: xxx­xxx­xxxx
email: xxxxx.xxxx@xxxxxxxxxx.xxx
web:
http://faculty.plattsburgh.edu/edwin.vega/
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