Monday, December 5, 2011

Derek Fadner - Cloud Computing and its Impact on Society


Today, I will be presenting the class with a case study answering the research question for this week: “how are emerging technologies impacting society?” The case study topic I will be investigating is cloud computing. Cloud computing has existed in various capacities for over a decade, but today we are seeing rapid growth and improvement throughout this area of technology. Cloud computing by definition is data and software applications no longer existing on a person’s personal computer, but on web-based servers managed by third-party providers. Users range from individual citizens to both large and small businesses. Cloud computing provides a convenient way to do a number of tasks such as email, photo sharing, and data storage. Everyday examples of cloud based systems include Hotmail, Gmail, Google Docs, iCloud, and pee-to-peer file sharing applications such as Napster and Limewire. Because information is stored on virtual web servers, there are issues concerning the privacy of cloud users. In addition, as is the case with a majority of new technologies, there are ongoing legal issues that have yet to be resolved.

The main argument I will make in regards to this week’s question is that cloud computing is having a significant impact on our society and the way businesses and individuals use software and store data. These impacts could lead to a decreased reliance on an individual’s own hard drive. There is also the potential for a shift towards accessing software applications solely via the
internet instead of downloading them onto our devices. Because cloud servers are managed by third-parties, businesses will continue to reap cost saving benefits associated with no longer maintaining hardware, reduction in software purchases, and decreased reliance on IT support. These cost saving measures, coupled with the convenience that cloud systems provide, will cause users to overlook concerns they may have regarding privacy and continue to embrace cloud
based systems.

Click
here to see further what cloud computing can do for businesses. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ae_DKNwK_ms

1 comment:

Derek Fadner said...

I think my presentation today brought about some good class discussion. The majority of the questions that were asked dealt with how cloud computing operates and who is in charge of monitoring it. I think I was able to explain to the class that cloud computing works anywhere there is an internet connection and that the data and software is stored over the web. I think I also was able to explain that it is the companies offering cloud services that are in charge of the upkeep of the site.

My response to the question of the week is that cloud computing is having a significant impact on our society. I believe that this impact will continue to grow among businesses as well with individual consumers. Sometime in the not too distant future, society may begin use cloud based systems for the majority of our computing needs.