iCloud: an OS that runs in your browser
You probably have been hearing a lot about cloud computing for some time now. But for those of you who have no clue what I’m talking about let me explain.
Cloud computing is when your files are located outside your computer on different servers this outside source is known as the cloud. For example let’s call this cloud Flickr, so you put all your pictures into that cloud and wherever you go you can reach those pictures with just an internet connection. So basically cloud computing is having files, documents, pictures, etc. on a network that’s reachable from any other computer. Well since we got that covered let’s move on.
Lately there has been a lot of software coming out using cloud computing such as iCloud an OS that runs in your browser and works exactly like your computer OS would. As soon as you sign into iCloud you get a desktop with a sidebar, start menu, and a couple apps. When you start to maneuver around you’ll notice that iCloud has a calendar, word processor, messenger, games, and email.
iCloud has a drive with 3 GB of storage that you can use to store music, documents, pictures, and videos. But the downside of iCloud is it’s only good for storing all of your stuff in one place that can be accessed from anywhere because another great thing about cloud computing is the ability to access all of your stuff using a cheap $200 computer but with iCloud you need a computer with an OS running a browser. So what’s stopping me from storing those files onto the computer that I’m using? Comment.
8 Comments
Euan Torano
July 14th, 2009
at 2:15am
Been using this for a while now actually
It’s pretty good, but it feels awful to use when on a computer with a sub-par internet connection. I don’t think Cloud Computing is quite there yet. maybe in the future, but not yet.
John
July 14th, 2009
at 7:39am
Supports ONLY Microsoft IE (Firefox in “Alpha”?)
This One Time, at Band Camp | Chris Pirillo
July 14th, 2009
at 9:07am
[...] iCloud is an operating system that runs inside of your browser. [...]
Garden Gnome
July 14th, 2009
at 11:15am
I have been thinking about storing files online for awhile now but I did not know that there was a name for it.
You learn something everyday.
I have revisited an old blog of mine in the past to recover a lost photo by scraping it off the screen – which feels a bit like rummaging through your garbage!
I will take a look at icloud though. Thanks for the post
Jacob
July 14th, 2009
at 12:32pm
Work great I been using it for about 11 moth now and it great for backing up thing like school project and big work text doc/powerpoints
RH
July 14th, 2009
at 1:26pm
It’s wonderful if you have lots of bandwidth and outstanding network reliability and your IT needs aren’t mission critical. Downside is that when your network connection is down or you have lots of data (try just 100GB of personal pictures and files) or a time critical need…Sorry- Out of Luck.
For the Hobbyist without critical needs. Great!
Security = F
You will have none. You are one hacker away from Corporate or personal disaster.
DR – if done properly with active replication and backups, you may reduce costs and improve service restoration time.
A huge benefit for Corporate IT if they can shed portable and local PC maintenance.
All in All….Don’t bet your business on this stuff!
iCloud: an OS that runs in your browser | Tech Invaders
July 17th, 2009
at 9:52am
[...] Source: lockergnome.com [...]
Glenn Roberson
July 18th, 2009
at 8:30pm
<”So what’s stopping me from storing those files onto the computer that I’m using? Comment.”
Not a thing! As a matter of fact, I advocate it. While using this service (I’m sorry…iCloud IS NOT an OS! An OS is what is running the computer whose browser you’re using to access it.), you can access your “desktop” from any computer. However, I am reticent to trust my files to ANY online service or storage, no matter HOW secure it is purported to be.
I agree with RH:
<”Security = F
You will have none. You are one hacker away from Corporate or personal disaster.”
No matter what security methods you may come up with, someone will find a way around them. Really, all someone has to do is get a keylogger on the computer that you’re accessing iCloud from, and they have your Username and password. Files compromised!
At least if you physically have your files, you have some ability to save them to physical media where they will be more safe. And all you have to do to absolutely protect your private information (if you MUST store it on a computer) is to put it on a computer without Internet access.
That’s kind of hard to do when your “OS” is ON the Internet.