Technology

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Since CCNews is an online news source, we write a number of articles on Internet Technology.  Our focus is local, but our reach is international.  We want to pay attention to what is going on with all the new ideas and technology

One of the 'big ideas' in technology is the Cloud.  The idea is this:

The Cloud alleges that it will take care of all our computer needs by hosting programs, services, entertainment and massive amounts of storage for any individual or company who want it and can afford it.

Your local disk with let's say 500 gigabytes of storage will not be necessary.  Maybe you will have a small repository of storage to gain speed for things like program paging and download, video and audio buffering. 

You will store on the Cloud music, video, financial data, spreadsheets, email, and specialized programs.  Your devices will react seamlessly doing what they do best.  For example, printer spooling will be local.

The operating system will be Cloud based and not individual processor centric  Android is Google's base for this.  It could be that Windows 8 will be a base too as it extends over phones, tablets, laptops and larger systems.  It won't do much Cloud walking in 2012's debut of Windows 8.  Windows 7 have been very popular and stable, so many users will stick with it for the next 18 months.

Instead of buying a brand new version of Microsoft Word every few years, it will be upgraded for you on the Cloud (for a fee).  Anti-spam, virus and malware software will be Cloud based and you will have the best and the brightest working for you, because the health of the Cloud will be important.

Many of you are on part of the Cloud already.  You've moved your email accounts to www.gmail.com www.hotmail.com or maybe another Cloud based service.  If you have not, then you need to do so asap because computer based or local server based email accounts don't make any sense at all.

How can you take the next step?  Here is a possible roadmap:

1. Install a Cloud based backup like Carbonite www.carbonite.com or Mozy  www.mozy.com or what we are experimenting with Dropbox www.dropbox.com

2. Back up your important files off site.

3. Start working with often used programs like Excel or Word and Powerpoint by storing on the Cloud.

For Dropbox see:

The programs mentioned in #1 above have a way to backup your files incrementally, so you can save local, but have them immediately backed up on the Cloud.  How is this done?  All you have to do is make your normal saves to the folders that the above programs use to keep the Cloud up to date.  These reside on your C drive. (same idea for Mac)

So as you finish a task or just save a file, it goes on your drive and on the Cloud too.  Many of the servers on the Cloud are much safer than your personal computers and tablets.

Typical Server Farm.  Notice all the people!

What has to work for the Cloud to be a success?

• The server farms that use massive redundancy, really have to be secure and safe from all attacks.  At present it is estimated that the most advanced servers are 36,000 times as safe from damage than your PC that you are using daily.

• Somebody has to dominate and others have to follow.  Many Clouds will produce a bad storm.  A few companies reaching for the big next step will win and others will lose or be purchased.

• Since the physical location of server farms will be vital, people now talk about earthquake and storm areas as being bad choices.  Terrorism is also a problem

• Bandwidth has to keep up.  It is far behind here in Canada.

The very diversity and multiple connects of the Internet have made it an amazing success story.  Can the Cloud do as well?  There could be a problem.  We are going back in a way to the days of the Main Frame with new features. 

This time it is not a single computer or just a few, it is an avalanche of them in the millions.  These server farms are gigantic and they grow exponentially.  How vulnerable are they?  Are they physically protected?  Do they have SWAT teams of experts at the ready?  How close are they to areas of predictable natural disaster?  Sound familiar?

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Friday, December 02, 2011