Cloud Computing - Final Module Post

What Is The "Cloud"?

Anyone not familiar with IT concepts could ask "What does cloud computing mean?". After a lengthy and interesting discussion in class, we came up with a summary that incorporates the concepts of cloud computing and highlights its shortcomings, pitfalls and benefits.

Cloud computing is a concept were you have hosted applications/platforms on remote computers. Utilising such a system will lead to:

• no installations and upgrades required
• a user system which is less subject to viruses
• less control over your applications which may lead to problems when dealing with people
• some loss of data depending on browser reliability

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Platform Independance

The promises platform independence in cloud computing have long been mentioned. One can argue that platform independence in the cloud is an illusion since the cloud is still dependant on the browser (flash, legacy tech). The only thing that might come close is the creation of an identical interface across platforms. In today's word, and from a developer's point-of-view, if you need a webpage to be identical across all platforms, either use flash or you have to write browser-specific tweaks.

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Strength & Scalability

The main strength and the forte of it's adoption is the ability of access from anywhere (freedom, but one cannot ignore that it is still dependant on the data connection). Cloud computing offers scalability: the cloud will not fix a badly designed architecture but in itself, but rather, it forms its roots in a scalable fashion

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The Clients of Today

The cloud can be said to require thinner clients, but on the other hand, we have to remind ourselves of the giants strides in hardware leading in the same processing power that was available in your desktop PC 4 years ago to be in the palm of your hand. One argument that hold true is that with the cloud we are reducing layers (consolidation): think Chrome OS, eliminating the OS

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Control, Control...

The cloud can be said to offer your less control over your data. Cloud operators are starting to take this into account, offering you a fair option to pull yourself out from their service while taking all your data with you (Google Liberation Front, Capsule CRM)

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Security. Should I, Would I, Will I?

New security questions are asked with the cloud. One can argue that your password maybe a bottleneck in your security and that your data may-be intercepted in-transfer. There are systems nowadays to overcome these issues such as the system used by banks to Log-In into the online-banking systems. Proper encryption will also take care of the data transfer. The real problem actually is to convince the companies to utilise the cloud. A valid analogy is the question: "Were do you store your money?", and you'll answer, "The Bank, of course!". And why do you do that, and not keep the money hidden behind a brick? Because, a bank specializes in keeping the money secure. The same argument applies to cloud computing: you are offloading security liabilities and risks to a company which specializes in security.

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Cost & Legal Issues

Cheaper. A simple statement which may hold true in cloud computing. You cannot get away with software piracy that easily since you are actually connected to the provider. On the other hand, costs could go up depending on licensing policies. Legal issues arise with cloud computing since different countries employ different laws.

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A Few Examples

Some examples of cloud platforms

• Citrix - provides desktop and server virtualisation
• Office365 - your Microsoft Office, on the cloud, shared
• Google Docs - Google's take on the cloud office
• Google Apps - providing businesses with hosting and clouding options
• iCloud - the upcoming service by Apple to integrate all your iDevices

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Course Conclusion

This module was very enjoyable. We explored many technologies along the way including: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, SQL, PHP, XML, Web accessibility, Second Life, HTML5, CSS3, the Mobile web, Social Networking and Cloud Computing. Going through such an array of concepts, while writing a blog each week was quite an effective solution. It provided me with means to properly explain how I understood the concepts, left leeway for exploration and expansion while still remaining somewhat academic. I particularly enjoyed putting my take on the subject and highlighting problematic or frustrating issues (usually mutually expressed by my classmates). As a conclusion, the module was quite a well presented learning experience and I would recommend the weekly-blog as an assessment system to anyone.