Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Mysteryman on 29 March 2011, 19:40:24

Title: Cloud computing
Post by: Mysteryman on 29 March 2011, 19:40:24
I'm not sure I fully understand how this works. As far as I can tell, it's more or less a away of storing stuff on a third party computer/server and being able to access it whenever you need to.
I can understand that it would free up a lot of space on your computer to make applications run faster, in fact I suppose you could theoretically have unlimited virtual hard drive space.
I see today that amazon is giving 5Gb of space away for free. Enough for you to download 1,200 music tracks (only with google android so far).

But what about security? It's hard enough keeping your own computer bug free without having to worry if someone has burgled your computer in the sky.

Have I got the principle of it right and what are the pros and cons?
Title: Re: Cloud computing
Post by: Mysteryman on 29 March 2011, 19:45:41
Just had a eureka moment. I was thinking PC but, of course, you could have massive space on a mobile device. I'm beginning to understand...I think ;D
Title: Re: Cloud computing
Post by: tunnie on 29 March 2011, 19:53:22
I use dropbox which is basic kind of cloud computing, keeping my files in the 'cloud' which can be access by any mobile device, any computer, anywhere, its damn useful between different operating systems.

You have the basic principles right, like anything with computers, anything can be vulnerable, depends who its hosted with!
Title: Re: Cloud computing
Post by: TheBoy on 29 March 2011, 19:54:35
Clouds are more than storage. It encompasses CaaS and DaaS - basically, your services run 'somewhere' within your chosen cloud, and you don't need to concern yourself with where or how.

Thats oversimplistic, but will do for now.
Title: Re: Cloud computing
Post by: Mysteryman on 29 March 2011, 19:54:41
Quote
I use dropbox which is basic kind of cloud computing, keeping my files in the 'cloud' which can be access by any mobile device, any computer, anywhere, its damn useful between different operating systems.

You have the basic principles right, like anything with computers, anything can be vulnerable, depends who its hosted with!


Thanks Mark.
Title: Re: Cloud computing
Post by: TheBoy on 29 March 2011, 19:55:34
Quote
I use dropbox which is basic kind of cloud computing, keeping my files in the 'cloud' which can be access by any mobile device, any computer, anywhere, its damn useful between different operating systems.

You have the basic principles right, like anything with computers, anything can be vulnerable, depends who its hosted with!
Dropbox isn't really a cloud, and AFAIK, doesn't run in a cloud. Its a dedicated online storage facility :y
Title: Re: Cloud computing
Post by: Mysteryman on 29 March 2011, 19:55:46
Quote
Clouds are more than storage. It encompasses CaaS and DaaS - basically, your services run 'somewhere' within your chosen cloud, and you don't need to concern yourself with where or how.

Thats oversimplistic, but will do for now.


I prefer Tunnies answer. ;D
Title: Re: Cloud computing
Post by: TheBoy on 29 March 2011, 19:57:03
Quote
Quote
Clouds are more than storage. It encompasses CaaS and DaaS - basically, your services run 'somewhere' within your chosen cloud, and you don't need to concern yourself with where or how.

Thats oversimplistic, but will do for now.


I prefer Tunnies answer. ;D
Sorry, Computing As A Service and Database As A Service.
Title: Re: Cloud computing
Post by: tunnie on 29 March 2011, 20:01:16
Quote
Quote
I use dropbox which is basic kind of cloud computing, keeping my files in the 'cloud' which can be access by any mobile device, any computer, anywhere, its damn useful between different operating systems.

You have the basic principles right, like anything with computers, anything can be vulnerable, depends who its hosted with!
Dropbox isn't really a cloud, and AFAIK, doesn't run in a cloud. Its a dedicated online storage facility :y

Did say kind of... but true, i simplify it to an online USB memory stick to those that don't know.

For others D/SaaS - Data/Communication as a Service:

http://tools.google.com/dlpage/cloudconnect#
Title: Re: Cloud computing
Post by: Mysteryman on 29 March 2011, 20:01:33
So.......the end of pc's? After all, you only need a terminal to communicate with the cloud.
Title: Re: Cloud computing
Post by: tunnie on 29 March 2011, 20:02:19
Quote
So.......the end of pc's? After all, you only need a terminal to communicate with the cloud.

But what happens when you don't have a data connection?  :)
Title: Re: Cloud computing
Post by: Mysteryman on 29 March 2011, 20:06:29
Quote
Quote
So.......the end of pc's? After all, you only need a terminal to communicate with the cloud.

But what happens when you don't have a data connection?  :)


I'm working on that ;D
Title: Re: Cloud computing
Post by: tunnie on 29 March 2011, 20:08:31
Quote
Quote
Quote
So.......the end of pc's? After all, you only need a terminal to communicate with the cloud.

But what happens when you don't have a data connection?  :)


I'm working on that ;D

Big problem with Cloud based stuff is upload speeds, we can all download at fairly good speeds. But upload is a fraction of the speed!
Title: Re: Cloud computing
Post by: Mysteryman on 29 March 2011, 20:10:41
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
So.......the end of pc's? After all, you only need a terminal to communicate with the cloud.

But what happens when you don't have a data connection?  :)


I'm working on that ;D

Big problem with Cloud based stuff is upload speeds, we can all download at fairly good speeds. But upload is a fraction of the speed!


Yes, of course. Well...my brain is full enough for now, I'll think some more later ;D
Title: Re: Cloud computing
Post by: o-meg-a on 29 March 2011, 21:24:58
Its like google's CR-48 notebook,

which uses the CHROME OS, which is basically the chrome browser with lots of installable extensions.

In essence, the browser is the only program that runs on the computer, and the computer has very little local (hardware) storage.

everything is stored on your online account and is accessible via wi-fi or 3g/HSPDA data connection.

As said before, this means that anything stored online will only be accessible when connected. Basic functionality is maintained, but is limited.

The benefit is two fold. Lighter and more portable hardware, such as a large screen tablet or laptop which is very thin, due to the lack of need for hardware data storage. Longer battery life overall, and ultra accessibility.

i have an android phone, and as such, any info stored on my google account is automatically transfered to my "cloud" account and is accessible from any device.

....the list goes on..
but i will stop lol
Title: Re: Cloud computing
Post by: TheBoy on 29 March 2011, 22:23:58
Quote
Quote
So.......the end of pc's? After all, you only need a terminal to communicate with the cloud.

But what happens when you don't have a data connection?  :)
Expect local devices to get dumber as clouds and remote apps grow.
Title: Re: Cloud computing
Post by: TheBoy on 29 March 2011, 22:26:13
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
So.......the end of pc's? After all, you only need a terminal to communicate with the cloud.

But what happens when you don't have a data connection?  :)


I'm working on that ;D

Big problem with Cloud based stuff is upload speeds, we can all download at fairly good speeds. But upload is a fraction of the speed!
But what will you be uploading ;)

If everything is stored in a cloud, there is very little being transferred, only locally generated content.
Title: Re: Cloud computing
Post by: o-meg-a on 29 March 2011, 22:29:11
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
So.......the end of pc's? After all, you only need a terminal to communicate with the cloud.

But what happens when you don't have a data connection?  :)


I'm working on that ;D

Big problem with Cloud based stuff is upload speeds, we can all download at fairly good speeds. But upload is a fraction of the speed!
But what will you be uploading ;)

If everything is stored in a cloud, there is very little being transferred, only locally generated content.


That relies on you having a main home PC from which you upload and store content with a hardwired connection.
things like pictures etc, take time to upload unless compressed.

The further integration of city wide WIFI makes this a greater possibility. But so many places are going to be left out of these plans
Title: Re: Cloud computing
Post by: TheBoy on 29 March 2011, 22:32:29
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
Quote
So.......the end of pc's? After all, you only need a terminal to communicate with the cloud.

But what happens when you don't have a data connection?  :)


I'm working on that ;D

Big problem with Cloud based stuff is upload speeds, we can all download at fairly good speeds. But upload is a fraction of the speed!
But what will you be uploading ;)

If everything is stored in a cloud, there is very little being transferred, only locally generated content.


That relies on you having a main home PC from which you upload and store content with a hardwired connection.
things like pictures etc, take time to upload unless compressed.

The further integration of city wide WIFI makes this a greater possibility. But so many places are going to be left out of these plans
No it doesn't. If everything is stored in the cloud, only locally generated content every needs to be uploaded.

Things like photos could easily be trickle uploaded, Microsoft BITS style ;)
Title: Re: Cloud computing
Post by: o-meg-a on 29 March 2011, 22:47:39
Yes i suppose.
locally generated content would include, but not be limited to, photos, documents and videos etc.

the reliance on a constant connection however remains the same.
Title: Re: Cloud computing
Post by: Debs. on 29 March 2011, 22:53:11
Quote
Things like photos could easily be trickle uploaded, Microsoft BITS style ;)

I have >3 TB of pics and video, spread over several NAS-HDD`s.....`quite like the idea of a reliable, remote back-up of them all (in original high-resolutions), but even with my cable-connection it`d surely take an eon to upload? :-/
Title: Re: Cloud computing
Post by: CaptainZok on 29 March 2011, 22:55:44
Quote
Quote
Things like photos could easily be trickle uploaded, Microsoft BITS style ;)

I have >3 TB of pics and video, spread over several NAS-HDD`s.....`quite like the idea of a reliable, remote back-up of them all (in original high-resolutions), but even with my cable-connection it`d surely take an eon to upload? :-/

Sounds like TB's porn stash collection of interesting tea pot photos. ;D
Title: Re: Cloud computing
Post by: Kevin Wood on 29 March 2011, 22:57:43
.. not to mention having to download it all to back it up on your machine at home.

.. or would you trust someone at Google not to delete your whole life? :o

Kevin
Title: Re: Cloud computing
Post by: TheBoy on 30 March 2011, 09:47:36
Quote
Quote
Things like photos could easily be trickle uploaded, Microsoft BITS style ;)

I have >3 TB of pics and video, spread over several NAS-HDD`s.....`quite like the idea of a reliable, remote back-up of them all (in original high-resolutions), but even with my cable-connection it`d surely take an eon to upload? :-/
Pics are less of a problem, even at current broadband speeds, video is.

Once everything is in the cloud, and people realise that they don't need 100Mb download speeds, internet connections could be adjusted to increase upload at the cost of lowering download.
Title: Re: Cloud computing
Post by: Mysteryman on 30 March 2011, 09:49:32
Quote
Quote
Quote
Things like photos could easily be trickle uploaded, Microsoft BITS style ;)

I have >3 TB of pics and video, spread over several NAS-HDD`s.....`quite like the idea of a reliable, remote back-up of them all (in original high-resolutions), but even with my cable-connection it`d surely take an eon to upload? :-/
Pics are less of a problem, even at current broadband speeds, video is.

Once everything is in the cloud, and people realise that they don't need 100Mb download speeds, internet connections could be adjusted to increase upload at the cost of lowering download.


Good thinking. You should get a job in telecomms or IT or something. :y
Title: Re: Cloud computing
Post by: TheBoy on 30 March 2011, 09:50:01
Quote
.. not to mention having to download it all to back it up on your machine at home.

.. or would you trust someone at Google not to delete your whole life? :o

Kevin
Google I wouldn't trust with a cookie, let alone my data. As has been proven on a couple of occasions now ;)

But that is the essence of the cloud, you don't need to worry about your data or apps, they are looked after by the cloud provider.  Yeah, right.
Title: Re: Cloud computing
Post by: Kevin Wood on 30 March 2011, 11:26:51
Quote
But that is the essence of the cloud, you don't need to worry about your data or apps, they are looked after by the cloud provider.  Yeah, right.

.. and, one day, there's a thunderstorm. ;D

Or somebody reports someone for doing something dodgy and their name rhymes with yours so the plug gets pulled on your account.

It's a nice idea for the masses, though, since there's no sign yet of a desktop OS that is easy possible for the man on the street to administer, and those who don't understand computers generally think they are infallible and don't backup anything. A thin client they can buy with all of that taken care of is a step forward, just not for me..

.. and connectivity needs to get much less flaky (and cheaper) than it currently is for the idea to fly IMHO.
 
Kevin
Title: Re: Cloud computing
Post by: TheBoy on 30 March 2011, 11:52:35
Quote
Quote
But that is the essence of the cloud, you don't need to worry about your data or apps, they are looked after by the cloud provider.  Yeah, right.

.. and, one day, there's a thunderstorm. ;D

Or somebody reports someone for doing something dodgy and their name rhymes with yours so the plug gets pulled on your account.

It's a nice idea for the masses, though, since there's no sign yet of a desktop OS that is easy possible for the man on the street to administer, and those who don't understand computers generally think they are infallible and don't backup anything. A thin client they can buy with all of that taken care of is a step forward, just not for me..

.. and connectivity needs to get much less flaky (and cheaper) than it currently is for the idea to fly IMHO.
 
Kevin
Indeed, which is why Clouds are being targetted to corporate enterprises and companies with online presence, much less so individuals (although individuals may use the services provided by these companies using clouds)