A definition for "cloud" computing

Before "the cloud," you pretty much new where you data was getting stored. If you were on a business network, you probably knew that your files were stored on your local hard drive or on the network server located in the closet in the office. Or maybe you had heard that "the server" was hosted by a downtown Internet Service Provider company. You may have even heard that it was still your company's hardware. They just kept it cool and in a "cage."

So, with the cloud, how is that different?

If your files are now hosted in the cloud, then you no longer can picture where they reside. That's because instead of having one or two dedicated pieces of file-hosting hardware, your network folks have instead subscribed to a cloud service like Amazon.com. That means your network file serving has been "thrown over the wall" to a stranger like Amazon.com. What machines they use, what technology they use is their concern. All you know is that you still see your files. And you've heard your network folks love it because they let Amazon.com deal with the hardware, the backup responsibilites, the "failover" prevention, the security and so forth. In fact, they love it even more because they know they can keep adding more room for storing more files as the company grows. And all without having to order new hardware.

But what's this "iCloud" thing from Apple?

Well, it's just more of the same, except there's no network group at the office involved. Unlike Amazon.com, you don't have to deal with bringing up "an instance of a server." Instead, it's more of a consumer-focused file hosting service. It's just between you, your Apple device and the iCloud service. Again, you have no idea where they store your images or tunes. They just make sure you have constant access to what you "throw over the wall to them."

So what are the implications?

As long as Apple stays in business, you have "control" of your files. As long as Apple keeps their servers healthy, you have access to your files. You now don't have quite the concern for how big your disk drive is anymore, right? That's because your store your files on the cloud now.

Other implications? Of course, but I'm not in the mood to reflect on the big brother nature of all of this, or the house of cards scenario. It seems that this is direction the forces of business-driver evolution are taking the Internet. It's not an evil plot. It seems to make sense.

David