Cloud Computing Explained
You've heard the term "cloud computing," but do you know what that means? Wikipedia tells us that
Cloud computing is Internet- ("cloud-") based development and use of computer technology ("computing").[1] In concept, it is a paradigm shift whereby details are abstracted from the users who no longer need knowledge of, expertise in, or control over the technology infrastructure "in the cloud" that supports them.[2] It typically involves the provision of dynamically scalable and often virtualized resources as a service over the Internet.
All clear now? No? Then check out Common Craft's Cloud Computing in Plain English video. Like their other work, they break the idea down and make it much easier to understand.
If, once you're done watching the video, you want to learn more, here are a few additional resources:
- Cloud Computing for Mobile Lawyers - Law.com
- My Hub is The Cloud - Gin & Tech Tonics
- Cloud computing and taming the desktop - Idealware
- A Map To Better Understand The Cloud Ecosystem...And The Hype - ReadWrite Enterprise
- The Cloud Isn't Safe?! (Or Did Black Hat Just Scare Us?) - ReadWriteWeb
And for those of you who want to read more about the legal issues involved, a set of posts from the Information Law Group:
- Legal Implications of Cloud Computing — Part One (the Basics and Framing the Issues)
- Legal Implications of Cloud Computing -- Part Two (Privacy and the Cloud)
- Legal Implications of Cloud Computing -- Part Three (Relationships in the Cloud)
Hope these resources help clear things up. - K
Another great cloud resource is the podcast This Week in Google, which discusses not only news related to Google, but cloud computing generally.