Very basically, cloud computing is using the Internet to deliver software applications to the end user.  Let me give some examples.  I often use Google Docs.  This is an online word processor.  I don’t have to have Microsoft Word, or any other word processing software, on my computer.  I go to my free Google Docs account, type my documents, and save them on the web.  The word processing, aka the computing, is done on the web, or in the “cloud”.  I don’t know exactly where the software is located, or where my documents are stored.  I just know I can access them anytime I have Internet access.

Cloud computing has many advantages.  Many of the applications are free.  They can be accessed anywhere you have Internet access.  You do not have to maintain the software application, or buy multiple copies to use on different computers.  There are also some disadvantages.  In many cases, if my Internet connection is down, I can’t access my documents.  I don’t have the same control over my documents I would have if they were stored on my computer, so I’m very careful with private information.

Some of my favorite cloud computing, or web-based applications include Gmail (for email), Google Docs (for documents, spreadsheets, and presentations), flickr (for photo sharing), Delicious (bookmarks), and YouTube (for video).  All of these services are free and I can access my information anywhere.

Google has an added bonus.  When you use Google Gears you can copy your online docs to your local computer for a backup.  This helps with peace of mind!