Mick Jagger had it wrong. You don't want to get off the cloud; these days, you want to get on the cloud and stay there. The cloud I'm referring to isn't cirrus, stratus, or cumulonimbus; it's cloud in the sense of "cloud computing," the latest information technology buzzword. If you haven't heard much about cloud computing yet, you probably will this year. Major software companies like Microsoft are expected to announce initiatives in this area.
What is cloud computing? In simple terms, it's the sharing and storing of information over the Internet (the cloud is a metaphor for the Internet). Under this setup, applications and data are stored on servers on the Internet, where they are accessible via desktop computers, sensors, monitors, smart phones—practically any electronic device anywhere on the globe.
To view the full article, visit DCVelocity at http://dcvelocity.com/viewpoints/?article_id=2170&ref=toc
Marketplace Media And Tangible Get Married
14 years ago
