Sanders Media

I’ve touched on different parts of this in previous posts regarding Web 2.0 and Google Docs. Now I’d like to tie them together under the umbrella “cloud computing”. 

First, I’ll try to define cloud computing. It enables people to utilize computer functions such as email and word processing in the “cloud” (i.e. the Internet). You are then able to access these files anywhere in the world via the Internet.

Here are some real world examples: Gmail, Google Docs, Yahoo! and Amazon Web Services. In the traditional office setup, there are many computers with individual software suites on each one. An example would be Microsoft Office. Clearly there is an expense here due to the licensing fees for the software. Also, you need the computers to hold the email locally or on a server inside the company. 

Sites like Amazon Web Services provide what is known as Software as a Service (SaaS). Here, you can pay a monthly fee for access to the applications your company needs. They also provide remote digital storage for a monthly fee. Google Apps provide more basic functions like email, calendar, word processing and spreadsheets. The convenience of having access to your files from anywhere is enticing for many.

Cloud computing does have some drawbacks. You can only reach these services with an internet connection. In most settings, this isn’t an issue, but if you travel abroad, it can be a major hinderance. If your Internet Service Provider (ISP) has a cap on the bandwith you can use, that can be a problem.

As computer and web technologies advance, we are going to see more computing functions going to the “cloud”. For now, any of us who have ever used Hotmail, Yahoo! Mail or Gmail, are already there.

According to Wikipedia, Web 2.0 is a term describing changing trends in the use of World Wide Web technology and web design that aims to enhance creativity, information sharing, and collaboration among users.

We’ve been hearing the term for a few years now, and it seemed to be an ambiguous term. On a basic level, it refers to the increase of interconnectivity and social interaction on the web. Examples of this would be Google Docs, Facebook and YouTube. 

It seems that more of what we do, be it productivity or play, involves interacting on the web. When creating your website, thinking in these terms will help you keep your site relevant. 

One aspect of Web 2.0 that has been most useful are “tags”. By tagging posts or pictures, you can make them easy to access. All you need to do is think of how people might search for your content, and then add a tag. Multiple tags are helpful, although I wouldn’t go overboard. 

If I write an article about the newest iPhone, I would give it these tags: iphone, apple, 3g, at&t. This way, when someone enters a search for iphone or apple iphone, they will find that article easily.

By tagging accurately, you can enable quick and useful searches. This helps in two ways. 

1. You can promote certain articles by tagging with specific words or phrases.
2. People are able to find what they’re looking for quickly. If people find useful information quickly, they’ll come back to your site often.