The Cloud

The Cloud

1. What is cloud computing?

   • The term cloud computing refers to the cloud. The clouds offers a number of resources such as storage and software to be stored virtually rather than on a hard drive.
     • Advantages
       • Cost effective as its cheaper to buy one as it already provides software, maintence and upgrades rsther than buying multiple licenses
       • Unlimited storage from the provider.
       • The cloud provides organisations with software and removes the need an organisation to manually update it.
       • Recovery and backup is the responsibility of this sits with the company. This means there's no need to waste data on backing up files.
       • Reduces carbon footprint.
     • Disadvantages
       • Bandwidth limitations. Cloud providers only offer a limited bandwidth allowance and additional charges are expensive.
       • Cloud is internet based. Due to heavy traffic the speed of the connection can slow and be temporarily closed for maintence.
       • Due to information being transferred over the interney, there's always a risk of the information beimg compromised.
       • Organisations often use customer support which can be slow and may charge additional fees.

2. Cloud Computing and Gaming

   • Cloud is a mayor influence in the industry. They benefit the industry in many ways.
     • It is harder to pirate then games sold on cd's formats. This prevents loss of income for the company.
     • Games can reduce there as they don't need to pay high street shops to sell the game. It also allows customers to buy game quicker upon release.
     • Customers also benefit from the cloud. It means they don't have to buy powerful gaming hardware as they have access to powerful servers and can access additional storage.
       • The user must ensure there broadband is capable of streaming high quality graphics.
     • Companies can also access a worldwide player base, increasing there player base.

3. Cloud computing and file storage.

   • Cloud is also a major factor when it comes to storing data. Automatic saving takes place when a user is working with data files.

4. Cloud on file sharing.

   • Allows organisations to collaborate and share folders and files from anywhere in the world. It is helpful for oversee teams.
     • However for this to work there must be a process of synchronisation to ensure any changes is seen by all users.
       • An example of synchronisation is google docs.