With technology’s ever-evolving nature, we often come across novel concepts that can sometimes be difficult to understand for ordinary and non-techie folks like you and me. And when we start interacting with such technological concepts in our daily lives, it becomes necessary to understand them.
I remember when I first heard the term ‘cloud computing’, the first thing that came to mind was computers up in space. But when I finally learnt about the concept, the truth could not be further.
I say finally because it took me a couple of Google searches to figure it out. I mean, I had to know what it meant when my phone asked me if I wanted to back up my pictures in the cloud.
So, in this article, you can expect to learn what cloud computing is by going through a couple of its real-life use cases.
Cloud Computing: Easy Explanation
Do you remember how software had to be downloaded or connected to your PC via a physical drive for you to be able to use it? And now you can easily use a variety of software online without ever downloading it. These online software are made available to you via the magic of computación en la nube (cloud computing).
So, in cloud computing, a bunch of physical servers work day and night to make sure you can access software and services over the internet, whenever you want to. Moreover, it makes sure that you do not have to manage the software yourself using your own servers or even hard drives.
While cloud computing has a bunch of benefits in the business world, for us, the major benefit is only having to pay for how much software we use. We do not have to pay hefty fees to buy software anymore.
An important aspect of cloud computing is the internet connectivity. No internet means no cloud computing. And since almost every other software service is cloud-based now, you need to make sure you have a reliable internet connection all the time. For instance, I use Spectrum Internet, and its fiber plans make sure I have 24/7 internet connectivity. You can contact the Spectrum Servicio al Cliente en español to get affordable and reliable internet to access the cloud computing world.
Cloud Computing: Everyday Examples
Despite seeming like a super technical concept, cloud computing is heavily present in our lives. Even more than artificial intelligence. Every other app on your phone is functioning on the basis of cloud computing. WhatsApp, Gmail, Instagram, Snapchat – you name it.
So, to help understand the concepto (concept) of cloud computing better, let us go through its everyday examples in detail:
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Data Storage
In comparison to how we used to transfer our important files, pictures, and videos to our PCs and save them on a hard drive, data storage is a popular example of cloud storage. This means storing data on the cloud, such as iCloud, Google Drive, or Dropbox. You can access data stored in the cloud from anywhere in the world using just the internet.
So, if your phone backs up your photos to Google Photos, then you will still have these photos and media even if you lose your phone. You can use your login credentials to log in from another device and get immediate access to all of the backed-up data on Google. This is possible only because of cloud computing, where your data is almacenado (stored) in a virtual location rather than a hard drive sitting inside your desk drawer.
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Communication
SMS used to be a popular way of communicating with people, but it had its apparent limitations. You could only send messages to people inside your country. Not to forget, the crazy charges and being only available on your phone.
Cloud computing enables online communication like WhatsApp, email, and other social media messaging, which is so much more convenient. You can access your chats from multiple devices and communicate through multiple forms like voice calls, video calls, text messages, voice messages, video messages, and photos. All you need is an internet connection and someone to talk to.
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Movies, Songs, and Shows Streaming
Streaming movies online has also become more convenient than buying, renting, or illegally downloading them. Plus, the pain of waiting a few months after the release dates for DVDs.
Cloud computing is yet again behind such an integral activity of our daily lives. Streaming platforms use cloud computing to store a huge chunk of movies, shows, or songs on a cloud platform. These are available for watching whenever and wherever we want to. All we need is internet and login credentials to specific streaming platforms, and we can access a full-fledged library of movies, shows, or songs to watch or listen to.
This instant availability without downloading anything and the convenience of transmisión (streaming) from anywhere around the world have made cloud computing an important aspect of entertainment.
All in all, cloud computing has proved to be an important aspect of how we interact with software and technology. I hope these examples helped you understand it better and realize how we are literally surrounded by cloud computing.
