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“There is bound to be turbulence in the clouds of confusion before one can view the friendly skies, and an illuminated landing strip.”
― T.F. Hodge
As I mentioned earlier, cloud computing is the future of all computing. The efficiencies and new capabilities provided by the cloud makes this evolution inevitable. As such, I did some research on the three different types of cloud computing and then explored some of the most popular cloud applications on the web. Experimenting with each cloud app was like playing with a toy for the first time. However daunting it is to be using software that is stored in some server far far away, once you see these apps, there is no turning back!
The Three Cloud Digression
| Software as a Service (SAAS)
| Platform as a service (PAAS)
| Infrastructure as a Service (IAAS)
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Some Fun Examples
Linkedin This blue and white "in" logo is synonymous with the professional networking site Linkedin. With over 225 million users from around the world, Linkedin gives its users access to business colleagues and associates from every discipline. As long as you have acess to internet, Linkedin will put you in touch! I personally enjoy a weekly newsletter service that Linkedin sends out with links to top rated articles. This morning I enjoyed reading: www.linkedin.com/today/simple-ways-to-inspire-yourself-at-work (make sure to watch the videos)
Tripit When I saw this app I immediately wanted to go on a vacation solely so I could use it. I forwarded it to friends that are often traveling and know it will make their lives easier. I am an organized person, and there is nothing more difficult than successfully organizing an itineriary of a trip. Tripit compiles information from all different booking websites and compiles an itinerary that you can access from anywhere and share with anyone. The added features of using online mapping, weather, etc... features are just a bonus to this FREE organizational tool!
Waze I was first introduced to Waze by an Israeli friend some years ago. After hearing how great it was, I downloaded it from the app store and, like the many other apps, I never looked at it again. This past weekend, however, I was driving up to Maryland from NY to visit a friend and the $400 GPS in the car wasn't working. I opened this free app and was guided to Maryland as it directed me around traffic and warned me in real time about police and other incidents on the road. Waze takes information from each person who has the app open and create a dynamic map that it used to give directions. The app even produced a specific URL for my trip and I was able to share it with my friend so he could track my trip and prepare for my arrival. It is no wonder that the company was just bought out by Google in a biding war with Apple and Facebook for over $1 billion (online.wsj.com/waze)
Evernote While elephants may have peanut sized brains, Evernote is the "remember everything" app. As you serf the web, create documents, record audio notes and discover videos, Evernote let's you save all that you want onto the cloud. Then, as long as you have internet access, Evernotes' powerful search function makes it easy to find memories on any device from anywhere in the world. If you find something you like, you can hang on to it forever.
Asana Asana is an organizational and collaboration tool used for team projects. Tasks and goals are posted for the group to see and each team member can comment and offer assistance on different tasks as they check what their colleagues are up to. Everyone can stay up to date with overall progress of long term goals as they stay in the loop with internet access. With asana, teams can worry less about the the who is doing what with whom planning and more on simply getting the job done!
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