Live and breathe in the world of cloud computing

It’s not tricky question alright; what is “cloud computing”? Or perhaps some of you my dear readers, have already grasp the knowledge of what cloud computing is. But for most others, doesn’t care whether you’re a soccer mom, technology enthusiast, or even a web software developer; the meaning of cloud computing can vary like the very shape of cloud itself. So here I am, trying to draw the vague clouds to you what cloud computing is to me.

Don’t worry, I’m not gonna go down to the winding and long road of explanation. But instead I’m gonna point out to you the ‘clouds in the sky’, that I think will help to start shaping up your image on what is cloud computing to you? First, if you’re planning to ‘google’ it up right away; you might want to reconsider using the Wikipedia as reference. Since it’ll probably confuse and twist your mind, even before you finish reading it; the warning signs at the top of the web page are your cue for that. ;-)

Let’s start, the easiest one is to quote on what Maggie Fox (Founder & CEO of Social Media Group) has said during a Q&A with Dan Farber (Outside the Line): “If you still need software, that’s not cloud computing. If you need hardware, that’s not cloud computing either.” By that, I partially agree with her. Because using Web 2.0 services offered in the net, we’ve eliminated many usages of software that are installed in our computers. But the web browsers we use are software, and the computers we use are hardware; so software & hardware are essentially part of cloud computing itself.

The use of installed software is shrinking rapidly, especially since the number of web services that are offering on-line business tools (such as: spreadsheets, docs, photo editor, data storage, etc.) are growing & improving each day. Just like what Steve Ballmer (Microsoft’s CEO) has passionately explained in Mix Essential event, “victory!” he screamed as he raised his arms on believing that Microsoft’s Office will not fade away because of cloud computing. ;-p ~he really begins to look a lot more like that PC character in Get a Mac ads~

It’s not just serious mean-looking business tools that are available in the clouds, but the social networking is also the start and now main part of the cloud computing. In fact, people are accessing more to their Facebook account than to Google’s Docs. Google saw this new social net habit, and with great ambitions they aim to create a new term of ‘social cloud’ with their OpenSocial program.

If the software is shrinking, then so does the hardware. The use of nowadays extreme computer’s parts like quad-core processor or terabyte-sized hard drive, is no longer necessary. They, who have realized the less need for using such powerful computers / laptops, are looking for more subtle devices that meet their actual needs. Thus, creating a new wave of trend in mobile computing devices. For a good example are Asus Eee PC & HP Mini-Note, which both are tagged with appealing price that represent the hardware they bear inside them.

Or take a look of what Apple has jammed into its MacBook Air (MBA), the minimalist design outside matches the controversy sparked by the minimalist hardware inside. Some have argued on these ‘minimum’ performances that the MBA can deliver, but the real usage of MBA can be put to maximum for cloud computing: max portability. A very good point has been mentioned about this by John Butler from Minneapolis-USA, that his email has been posted by Sammy here at PA.

For me, to define what is cloud computing; we need to look back at the roots that have branched a long way to up there. Cloud computing is Web 2.0, and Web 2.0 is the web a.k.a. the net itself; so cloud computing for me is the internet!

There’s no need for mambo-jambo definitions of cloud computing, all I know is I’m just like what Matt Mullenweg (Cofounder of Wordpress & Automatic) has described as: “a care-less bear up in the cloud”; who doesn’t burdened by hassle of technical knowledge of web services that I use in the net.
Maybe you’ll choose to define cloud computing in more modest and closer to reality, like what Brian Solis (Future Work, PR 2.0, bub.blicio.us) has said: “Me, on an airplane with a notebook, 32,000 feet; working in the cloud.” Even one of web evangelist editor, Rafe Needleman (Webware Editor) said so: “Yeah, that’s cloud computing!” ~I can’t believe he agreed, he must’ve been tricked…~ ;-D

But I can say this for all of us, that we’ve been living and using Web 2.0 services in every day of our lives. So we’ve become a part of cloud computing, even without realizing its meaning or why it’s called like that. We’ve become that ‘younger generations’, that Kevin Marks (Developer Advocate, Google) has said on how future younger generations will never see the cloud but it’ll look like “air” for them.

Speaking of “air”, don’t forget to enter the MackBook Air giveaway that Sammy is offering here at PA. He’s also throwing away an Asus Eee PC 701, and all you’ve got to do is follow the guidelines here. It's as easy as breathing air!!

For further reference, watch Dan Farber’s “Defining cloud computing” video below. And see if your first answer about cloud computing is the same as Dave McClure (PayPal) was thinking: “It’s a city in the sky?”, don’t laugh cuz the joke might be on you. Also read on Aaron Ricadela’s article (BusinessWeek) to know how IBM, Yahoo and Google are implementing cloud computing in their own ways. Happy cloud computing then!



[blogged with my Treo 750v]