Cloud computing- a solution to what problem?

Working_in_the_cloudsKevin’s foray into the nether-world of cloud computing has been a fascinating one to watch, and I know from many conversations with him an equally fascinating one to live through.  The entire process has brought home the understanding that the definition of cloud computing is totally different for many.  This has puzzled me until I gave it some detailed thought last night and I realized why that is.

Working in the cloud is at its base level a solution to a problem.  The key to developing a solution is to first define the problem exactly, and that’s where people’s opinions vary so much.  You see, the problem is totally different for some than it is for others and therein lies the rub.  After careful thought I see the different problems that people are trying to work around and thus find their solution in the clouds, which will be different based on the problem to be solved. 

The particular problem that I would try to address by working in the clouds is a simple one.  My "problem" to solve in the clouds is having access to my files and documents from whatever computer I might be working on.  I have no shortage of cool computers in Mobile Tech Manor and I need to be able to access documents, Word, Excel or PowerPoint, from any of them.  Once I define that problem the cloud-based solution is pretty simple.  I can keep all my docs in the clouds using an online backup/ sync solution so that all of my computers have access to the latest version of any document I reference.  That’s pretty simple to do today and the definition of cloud computing in its basest form.

If you start adding other requirements to this simple problem the solution will understandably change.  Lets say I want to make sure that I can access all of my documents even if I have no connectivity to the cloud.  That’s when things get a bit more complicated, although there are simple solutions to that.  I can use Google Docs and Google Gears to make sure that my online docs also live on my local clients and have my stuff no matter what my connectivity might be.  Some folks have indicated that they think that’s not a "real" cloud solution but the fact of the matter is if my defined problem is solved using this method then of course it’s a real cloud solution.  My stuff is stored up in the cloud but I can get to it no matter what, and that’s what I need to do.  We can’t lose sight of the fact that this is like anything else in our work, the ultimate goal is to get the job done.  We use the tools at our disposal to do so and thus have a good solution.  For us.

Some other folks who have been following Kevin’s experiment have made it clear that their needs are to avoid the need for expensive commercial applications like Microsoft Office so they can work on their documents even if they have no access to those programs.  This begins to complicate the cloud solution but it’s still not that big an effort to achieve it.  You can move to totally online (cloud) applications like Google Docs or Zoho and work to your heart’s content from any machine with a browser and connectivity to the cloud.  You could also make a USB key with Open Office, a free office productivity suite, and carry that with you.  This also allows you to work on your documents without the need for MS Office.  Some folks feel that using any client-side apps are not true cloud solutions but again, if it does what you need to get your job done then what’s wrong with that?

A small contingent of commenters to Kevin’s musings on his cloud work want to live totally in their web browser.  There’s a distinct feeling that you must be able to do everything from within the browser to be a true cloud solution.  I guess the thought is that the browser is universal no matter where you go and that you shouldn’t need local apps nor locally stored documents to get your work done.  The browser only approach complicates things a lot more than the other solutions but it’s getting pretty close to be a viable approach.  You’d have to use a combination of all of the solutons already mentioned but you could probably do it if your work is fairly typical office work.

A really small vocal percentage of commenters have made it clear that they believe true cloud computing to be acheived only by using simply the web browser.  These folks carry that even further and state that you cannot depend on browser extensions (add-ons) to be called true cloud computing.  Now, I can see where these folks are coming from, they want to be sure that they can do their work no matter the situation they might be confronted with.  Maybe they are traveling and their computer dies on them and they want to be able to use any borrowed computer to do their work.  This is a valid excuse for the browser-only approach but I have to ask the obvious- should your daily work routine be determined by a very low-probability crisis? 

All of these goals for cloud computing are valid ones and totally dependent on the individual’s personal situation.  Like many things in our work what we do and how we do it is often different than for those around us.  I believe that’s why exactly why defining cloud computing can be so nebulous.  It means totally different things to each of us so the approach to enter the cloud is often unique to each one of us.  I personally believe you should always use the best tool for the job at hand.  That’s why I have been a bit reluctant to adopt a true cloud computing solution because as far as I am concerned it’s not the best solution for me at this time.  I do appreciate’s Kevin taking one for the team and giving this a real go, though.  My situation may change down the road and I’ll be very happy he shared the things about the cloud that he’s sharing.

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