You keep hearing about “the cloud” but you’re too ashamed to inquire as to what that actually means. We are here to support you.

Cloud computing is the process of saving and retrieving data and software through the internet as opposed to your hard drive.

In the end, the “cloud” is merely an internet metaphor.

Your local storage is not exactly what cloud computing is really about. This is when you save data on the hard disk or your solid-state drive or run applications from them. Everything you require is nearby, making it quick and simple for that computer or other devices on the local network to access your data.

You must be able to access your programs or data online, or at the very least, have the data synchronized with other online data, for something to be referred to as “cloud computing.” As a single user, it is possible for you to never fully know about the large-scale data processing taking place at the data center which uses a significant amount of power. As a large-scale business, you could be aware of what’s at the backend of your connection. The ultimate result is the same: Cloud computing can be done anywhere, anytime, as long as there is an internet connection.

Cloud Services for Consumers

Just to be clear, I’m referring to how cloud computing affects us as individuals who work from home or in small-to-medium offices and frequently access the internet.

The cloud computing industry is huge. Previously, the cloud computing sector was worth $100 billion when the COVID-19 outbreak forced many offices to close. It goes without saying that many companies moved their data to the cloud to support the smooth operation of their now-at-home personnel. And it succeeded.

Cloud Computing at Your Service

The distinction between local computing and cloud computing might become hazy when used at home. That’s because practically everything on our PCs these days uses the cloud. A piece of local software that uses cloud computing for storage, like Microsoft Office, is simple to have (Microsoft OneDrive). The Office suite from Microsoft also includes web-based versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote that can be accessed through your web browser without needing to download anything. As they are web-based, they are a form of cloud computing.

You may also use these other significant cloud computing examples:

In order to integrate with the cloud tools Google Sheets, Slides, and Docs, Google Drive is primarily a cloud computing-based service that uses online storage for all of its data. You may use Google Drive on devices other than desktop computers, such as tablets like the iPad and smartphones that have separate apps for Docs and Sheets. In fact, the majority of Google services, including Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Maps, and others, might be categorized as cloud computing.

Apple’s cloud service, iCloud, is largely used for file synchronization across Macs and iOS devices as well as online storage, backup, and syncing of your mail, contacts, calendar, and other data. On your iOS, iPadOS, macOS, or Windows devices, you have access to all the information you require (Windows users must install the iCloud control panel; opens in a new window). Naturally, Apple won’t let competitors outdo it: Any iCloud subscriber can utilize the cloud-based variations of its iWork applications, including the word processor Pages, spreadsheet Numbers, and presentation tool Keynote. When an iPhone or AirTab becomes misplaced, customers can use the Find My iPhone feature by using iCloud.

For years, Dropbox has served as a straightforward, dependable file synchronization and storage solution. It has now been improved with numerous features for collaboration (which will cost you and your business, as the free version has grown a bit skimpy).

Slack: If you have a community of users who need immediate messaging or communication but have different devices, then yes, it is called cloud computing. Slack is the example for this, although Microsoft Teams, Workplace by Facebook, and more services offer the same thing. They are discussed in 17 Slack Alternatives.

Chromebooks

The Chromebook is the best example of a wholly cloud-centric computer in current times. Chrome OS, which essentially transforms the Google Chrome web browser into an operating system, can only be run on laptops with just enough internal storage and processing capacity. Almost all of your activities when using a Chromebook are online. Online services include storage, media, and apps. They are quite well-liked for usage in schooling as a result of their propensity to be affordable. Even Android apps will work on the newest devices. A few ChromeOS devices with a desktop design exist as well; they are known as Chromeboxes.

What happens if you need to view your info while offline and there is no internet connection? Despite the fact that its offline capability has improved, this is one of the most common concerns regarding Chrome OS.

The Chromebook is not the first item to attempt this strategy. There have long been so-called “dumb terminals” that connect to a local server or mainframe but have no local storage. The NIC (New Internet Computer), the Netpliance iOpener, and the fatal 3Com Ergo Audrey were among the first attempts at internet-only products. You could argue that all of them debuted much too soon because, in comparison to today’s rapid broadband internet connections, dial-up speeds from the 1990s were like learning how to drive.

That is why many contest whether cloud computing actually functions. Both the internet and the hard disk have equally quick connections. Cloud computing is clearly a booming business. It isn’t perfect, but it is improving day by day. Here’s to hoping that 2023 will be a year of Cloud computing breakthroughs.