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Cloud computingAn introduction
Matthew “Buzzy” NielsenAssistant Director, North Bend Public Library
10/01/2010
You've got a computer
And you can do stuff on them
Edit photos
Write documents
Manage your calendar
And normally that stuffis stored on your computer
But what if you want to accessthat info on a different computer?
Or a completely different device?
Mobile phone
Photo source: "computer updating" by Per Ola Wiberg on Flickr
Or have some friendshelp you with them?
Enter Cloud Computing
Cloud computing:Accessing computer services, files, or information via the Internet or a network rather than your individual computer.
The Internet is a network of computers talking to each other
Image source: Sam Johnson, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cloud_computing.svg
By relying on “The Cloud,” youare relying on that network
Example of Cloud Computing:Web-based office programs
Typing a letter, on your computer
Or on the Internet
You can edit documents similar to using a word
processor on your computer.
http://docs.google.com
Your friends can also help out
Create spreadsheets and presentations, too!
There's even some surprising functionality, like separate worksheets
You can even edit photos!http://picnik.com
Demonstration:Editing a photo on picnik.com
Cloud Computing, pros & cons
Advantage #1:Available from any computer with Web access
Disadvantage #1:Dependent on internet access (usually)
Not dialup-friendly (usually)
Other Cloud-based office programs
OfficeLive (office applications)http://officelive.com
Phixr (photo editor)http://phixr.com
PhotoShop Express (photo editor)http://www.photoshop.com/tools
Example of Cloud Computing:Online document storage/backup
Backup important files to the Webhttp://dropbox.com
And do so automatically!
Tell Dropbox what to backup
And back them up online
Even accessible on the go
Dropbox can be accessed on mobilephones and any computer with Web access.
Demonstration:Uploading a file to Dropbox
Cloud Computing, pros & cons
Advantage #2:You can backup files and information to a more reliable place than just your personal computer
Disadvantage #2:You lose some degree of control, meaning that
the security of your files depends on thesecurity of the service you're using
Other Cloud-based backup programs
FilesAnywherehttp://filesanywhere.com
Mozyhttp://mozy.com
Example of Cloud Computing:Data managers
Calendaring across devices
Enter an event in the calendar application on your home computer.
(Example here: Sunbird)
Calendaring across devices
It gets “synced” to an online service(Example here: Google Calendar)
Calendaring across devices
And you can view it on other devices, like mobile phones(Example here: Android calendaring app)
Demonstration:Adding and syncing a contact
Lots of alternatives
MobileMe: A popular paid alternative for Macs
http://apple.com/mobileme
Many types of data can be synced
Cloud Computing, pros & cons
Advantage #3:Portability – You can access your data across
multiple applications and devices
Disadvantage #3:Privacy – Companies can monitor your information
for business-related purposes (e.g. advertising)
Other Cloud-based services:Antivirus
Cloud antivirus pulls virus protection files dynamically from the Web, rather than storing them on your computer
The gist:Cloud computing gives you an incredible amount
of flexibility of your information by sacrificing some degree of control over it.
Questions?
OpenOfficeImpress
Presentation program
GIMPImage editor
This presentation was made using open source software.
View this presentation on slideshare:http://www.slideshare.net/nbpl/cloud-computing-5333661
AndroidMobilephone
operating system
ChromeWeb browser
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