What On Earth Is Cloud Computing?

Anything. Anywhere. Anytime. More or less.

Cloud computing is Internet-based computing on an as needed basis. It’s a way of accessing your software, your data, your music, movies, and even your relationships, through the web — and not just accessing, but interacting, creating, managing. Instead of being in your home or office, the computers that hold your files, music, movies, operating system and programs can be stored and maintained in huge data centers around the world (not really in the clouds).

The only elements of cloud computing that are currently in the clouds are the communications satellites that help run the Internet and broadcast content, and maybe some data centers located in the mountains somewhere.

People are using cloud computing right now, every time they access their Gmail accounts, or watch a movie on demand or back up their data online, or manage finances through their mobile phones. And later in the year, photos, music and other content will be available through Apple’s iCloud.

Watch the Video

The State of Cloud Computing from JESS3 on Vimeo.

To learn more, read: Businesses and Cloud Computing.