These days, even if you try really hard, it’s just about impossible to avoid “the cloud” in technology conversations. The internet giants like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon have all launched cloud-based offerings, the US government has announced it’s intention to build federal cloud-based services for its agencies, and leading technology research firm Gartner recently released their 2009 Emerging Technologies Hype Cycle Report with Cloud Computing perched atop the “peak of inflated expectations” – calling the buzz around the technology “deafening”.
But what is the cloud anyway, should you care about it, and are there practical ways that you can take advantage of it right now? Here’s a quick primer on the key concepts, and some practical tips for where I think any business or organization can benefit from cloud services today. Continue reading ‘Three Ways to Take Advantage of Cloud Computing Right Now’
