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Cloud computing is the “next big thing,” as it’s known as the next level of computing, one of the most recent advancements in today’s technology. It enables us to work and access data wherever, whenever and however we wish to. In this article, we will tackle the pros and cons of using cloud in businesses.

What is cloud computing?

Cloud computing is now an emerging development, deployment and delivery model in the world of IT. It allows us to store, view and manipulate data in real time and collaborate on sets of files over the Internet. By having resources stored on the cloud online, it means that as long as we have Internet access, we can obtain data using our local or remote personal desktop computers, laptops, smartphones, tablets and similar devices.

The Pros and Hallmarks

1. Ubiquity

Cloud computing revolutionizes the concept of ubiquity in which information can be easily retrieved and stretched out dynamically onto people who need to acquire resources in demand. It is location-independent computing whereby data can be found over the web. Because of virtualization, data is available and can work in multiple operating systems and devices. As well, because all applications and service infrastructures are attached to the cloud, installation processes are not required.

2. Cost Efficiency

There are many offerings ranging from free to low-priced cloud alternatives today for personal use, education and businesses alike. Most popular ones are from Google. For instance, instead of using Outlook or a licensed application with email capabilities, Gmail can be used; creating, sharing and accessing of documents, presentations and spreadsheets can be supported by Google Docs and other productivity apps.

Cloud computing can help to ease the burden of IT management in maintaining storage capacity, software, hardware and processing power mainly of file servers. In this sense, adopting and investing in cloud computing will make good returns, countering limited procurement budgets in these challenging economic times.

3. Flexibility

Cloud computing gives the advantage of flexibility as well as scalability. For example, when the number of users grows or when the file size limit is capped, companies don’t need to take the hassle of purchasing more equipment to their physical storage areas; they only need to expand the allowable storage or bandwidth limit online at their convenience.

The Cons

1. Data integrity

In a public cloud environment where files are placed and accessible online, the number one thing that concerns people is data integrity. Companies especially those belonging to government sectors and institutions with highly sensitive and private files are worried about privacy, reliability, and security of data. However, these are metrics difficult to measure because this type of variable depends on the company’s own arrangement on security. To resolve, they should be able to put their own walls of encryption and prevention to loss of control over their operations and applications.

2. Performance

Another demerit of cloud computing is that performance of accessing of files is contingent to the Internet service and cloud computing service providers. If the cloud is incapable of supporting the traffic, the company would be negatively affected directly. Finding a good and trusted provider of this service becomes very crucial. Detailed research is a must in choosing the best quality service well-deserving to be paid and acquired for. Computer technologies related to performance are compression of files, virtualization and high-speed interfaces for channels and bands of the Internet.

3. Interoperability

Interoperability of applications is another concern in operating or “computing” in web-based apps. For instance, if we try to insert a PDF into a DOC file in our local computer’s software, we can easily manage to do so. The same is not possible (for now) in cloud apps (e.g. PDF for Google doc), hence building that barrier in getting the job done.

Conclusion

With today’s trends—proliferation of mobile devices and growth of Internet utilization, the web is becoming more and more of a stage set for a different computing level. Businesses are moving towards using a cloud computing platform mostly to cut down costs and stay efficient in an operational level either as backup or forefront purposes.

About the author:

Alexis Thompson is an alumna from Martin College Australia, a former mountain backpacker and a 26 year-old mother of 2 daughters, Sophie and Rhian. She is into almost all types of music especially The Fray and Hillsong. She also has a passion for singing and scrap booking. Follow her escapades on her Twitter.

The following is the second part of video series in which Steve Jobs and Bill Gates discuss their contribution to the technology industry.

The following is the first part of a video series in which Steve Jobs and Bill Gates discuss their contribution to the technology industry.

We’re always looking for ways to get more out of what we have, right? Well, what if you could get more out of your current cell phone? The following are five things that you perhaps never knew you could do with your cell phone:

1. Text Google- Send Google a short message service (SMS) text message by punching in GOOGL (46645) to look up what you need. For instance, if you wanted to look up a specific chain of restaurants to see if there are any in the area, simply type in the name of the restaurant and the zip code and hit ‘send’. In return, Google will send you a couple of local listings. [source]
2. Emergencies- In case of an emergency, the number to call isn’t always 9-1-1. In fact, the emergency number worldwide for a cell phone is 1-1-2. So, if you find yourself in an unfamiliar area, dial 1-1-2. This supposedly works even if your keypad is locked; but only try it out when there is an actual emergency. [source]
3. Locked Out of Your Car? Aside from this really sucking- you no longer have to wait to call the police to slim jim your car door open. Instead, if you have your cell phone handy and have the number of someone who can get to your spare set of keys (everyone should have a spare set), instruct the person on the other end of the line to hold your keys to the cell phone and hit the ‘unlock’ button. In the meantime, take your cell phone and hold it approximately 1 foot from your car door. Your car WILL unlock!! Obviously, you have to have keys that are compatible for remote lock/unlocking mechanisms. [source]
4. Low Battery Life- If you are on a long trip or are somewhere where you wish that you had charged your cell phone because now it’s dying, no worries. Simply punch in: *3370# on your cell phone. Shortly afterwards, your cell phone will restart, and you will notice a 50 percent increase in the battery life from before. This should be more than enough juice to tide you over until you are able to find your charger and plug it in. [source]
5. The 4-1-1- Every time you dial 4-1-1- on your phone, you are charged a fee on your phone bill. Yep, it’s true. However, you can avoid this extra cost by dialing 1.800.GOOG.411. This clip will show you how easy it is. [source]

Answer: because it entertains us!

Over the years and with the improvements that we have seen in technology, commercials have taken on a mind of their own becoming more creative, catchy and enticing us to watch them all the way through.  However, lately it seems that a lot of television commericals are created so that the consumer doesn’t even know what is being sold until the end of the commercial.  Check out the following commercial to see if you can figure out what is being advertised.

Remember the days before cell phones and the Internet?  Today, most of us can’t even fathom the thought of not being able to go 10 minutes without checking our Twitter accounts or Facebook profiles from our Blackberry or other cellular devices.  A few years ago, when I was taking classes at Duke University, I remember walking through the student center where the restaurants were, and while I was waiting for my food order to be called, I checked my email at one of the computer stations that were located right next to the eating area.   I remember thinking (even back then) about how far we’d come in such little time!  Why, when I first started college as an undergraduate back in 2000, I recall what a major ordeal it was for me to go with my dad to pick out my very first computer to take with me to college.  Most students didn’t even have computers of their own back then! Now, if you don’t have your own laptop computer, you’re considered somewhat of a pariah, but I digress…

When Will We Be Satisfied?

When I was in high school, cell phones hadn’t quite burst onto the scene yet- they were still something that only a few people had in their cars.  You may remember these “car phones“.  Instead, we had beepers- and though they weren’t allowed at my school, we’d still sneak them in and use the payphone to beep one another.  My, how times have changed.  Now, the language has shifted from rotary phones and cassette players to touchscreens and iPods.  From the budding Internet days to the blossoming blogosphere…words such as social media, blogging and Internet marketing have supplanted those old terms and are being tossed around to create this heaping, delicious technological salad which future generations will feed off of to become more technologically savvy than ever!

It’s not enough that the television was invented, but rather- we are excited about being able to DVR our favorite shows so that when we come home we can fast forward through the commercials without having to deal with the hassle of an “old fashioned” VHS tape (do those even still exist?).  And then on top of that, many of us don’t even bother with the television anymore.  Instead, we get excited that we can now watch our favorite movies for free on YouTube or Hulu! Check out what comedian Louis CK has to say on the subject of being spoiled: