Thursday, October 02, 2008 Ng: Cloud computing By Wilson Ng Wired Desktop
IN technology, there are always buzzwords, especially about technology that is soon to come.
Most have heard about social networks, virtualization and netbooks. And one of the latest is cloud computing. Like most new concepts, it is not quite well defined. Every company has its version. Roughly defined, it means the ability to have your applications and data stored in a web server where it is available anywhere you have Internet connection.
Most commonly used is web mail, like Hotmail or Yahoo. All you need is a browser and you can run it anywhere.
Some companies have taken it further. Some have put entire accounting applications on the cloud. Among the most audacious attempts is Google docs. Google wants to have a word processor, spreadsheet, scheduler and e-mail all in the web including the apps. So all you need to pay are subscription fees.
I have two offices and I also work from home and many times also from hotels. I find it quite appealing that wherever I am, I have access to my data and my applications.
For instance, the first half of this article was composed in my notebook, but when my battery ran out while I was traveling, I borrowed another’s to continue writing. Not being able to finish this article with the borrowed notebook, I wrote the last part on my mobile while I was on the bus.
The concept that you can be productive anywhere is very appealing. However, while it is appealing, cloud computing still has not taken much root. It’s like e-mailing through mobile phones. Although it is technically viable to e-mail through one’s mobile phone, many people chose not to, in the same manner that many individuals prefer to use the old DVD or CD technology, instead of Blu-ray or high definition TV.
And most people may prefer and, in fact, work on one desktop in the office.
Will cloud computing work? Maybe, but it just might take longer to do so.
One of the criticisms against it was made by no less than Oracle chief executive officer Larry Ellison, who said that the computer industry is more fashion driven than women’s fashion and that cloud computing is simply the latest fashion.
But then who knows? Some fashion do come and stay with us for a long time.
