Forecast …..Cloudy!

We're used to clouds in this country, so getting used to one more shouldn't take us long. But what is this 'cloud' they keep talking about, and what does it mean to you?

The 'cloud' in 'computer' terms is the internet, perhaps its prescient at this time for me to define 'internet';
The internet is a mass of 'big' computers (servers) physically stored all around the world in what's known as 'data centres', they're all interlinked via the network. The 'net' part of it is the 'web' of infrastructure provided by the communications companies like BT etc, this is the cable and phone lines criss crossing the globe. (hence 'world wide web' )
Your BBC news or Yahoo email website is just a collection of folders and files, like you have in your 'My documents' on one or many of those servers. Keeping up so far.....?
When you type in www.seagulls.co.uk (if you're that way inclined) your internet provider (BT, Talk Talk etc) directs your browser (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome etc) to one or many of those servers. So if you think your internet speed is slow on occasion just have a think about what is happening as you click on 'go' or 'return'. Your request is literally being sent around the world in a split second to give you the information you require.

You may have noticed that all websites have 'http://' in front of the descriptive part of the website address for example (http://www.seagulls.co.uk), this is so the 'internet' or in this case the servers can differentiate between the traffic on the net, this is obviously important as you don't want emails coming out of phone receivers and websites appearing on supermarket tills. (obviously that couldn't happen but what a thought!)

So that's the cloud, but what does it mean for the future of computers as we know them today?

Last month we tried to demystify the internet, this month lets talk about future of computers, as lets face it computers without the internet and it's veritable smorgasbord of delights, are little more than expensive typewriters and photo albums. Anyone remember the first wave of home computers?

Like Bill Gates in the 70's and 80's deciding that software... the 'stuff' that 'runs' on the computers (Word processing, Photo editing, music playing etc) was more profitable than the actual 'thing' that ran them, massive computer manufacturers have seen the writing on the wall. Recently HP (Hewlett Packard), which makes more PC's than anyone else has changed it's entire strategy for non business users. Instead of continuing to produce computers they're throwing their resources into services within 'the cloud'. Services within the cloud???

Think BBC's Iplayer, all you need to watch it is a reasonably up to date computer and an internet connection. Just think if everything you wanted to use your computer for was up on the internet, you wouldn't need a brand new superfast PC every couple of years to do it and this is what HP and their ilk can see. Already there is no reason why you can't store your photo's, documents, music, spreadsheets etc on the internet, in fact there are many benefits, the obvious one is that you no longer have to worry about backing up your precious data, that's someone else's job (the service provider).

So in short maybe outside of the work place there is no future for the traditional computer with its space consuming separate screen and base unit, even laptop's look like they'll be 'old hat' soon. The rise of the 'tablet' the 'kindle' and the smart phone (Ipad, Iphone etc).makes these cumbersome archaic designed machines defunct. Tablets and their like are a much more direct attachment with the internet, your documents and your pictures ,which by definition makes the process of using it more inclusive and not such a mystery. You effectively point to (ok not yet, but you do touch) where you want to go, and internet connection allowing, its there in front of you literally at the touch of a screen. This is the way the internet and its delights work best, with fast internet speeds and great tools this really is the third or is it forth (i've lost count) golden age of computing.

Your Steyning
http://www.yoursteyning.co.uk

close article x