Here Come the Clouds

Once upon a time, I had a Cathode Ray Terminal (CRT -- similar to old televisions) that was connected to a MODEM (MODulator DEModulator -- a box that converted digital signals to/from analog signals on a phone line) which connected to a "mainframe" (very large -- for those days -- computer). My terminal, an ADM 3A, was a monocolor screen with a keyboard. No local processor, no local storage. When I logged into my account on the mainframe, I had my own set of files and access to any applications that had been installed on the main computer.

Now, with the computing clouds, I can have a computer (possibly without a disk drive/local storage) of, perhaps, limited computing power connected to the Internet which gives access to one or more main computers and multiple storage areas. I can connect via different devices and from different locations and get access to my own set of files and make use of various applications installed on those devices/computers.

It sounds very similar between 1981 and 2012 doesn't it? It certainly does to me. What are the differences that exist and what makes those differences?

The first is access speed. In 1981, connections were slow. A person could type in a set of commands (no Graphical User Interface (GUI)) and expect to receive back sets of words or numbers -- possibly some crude pictures made up of typeable characters. The terminal would allow some movement of the "cursor" (think of the marker from the mouse) after receiving special characters that would be interpreted specially. But, basically, it was for sending and receiving text.

In 2012, expectations of connection speed are FAST or FASTER. This means that the user can use a GUI and can receive back all forms of data including video, music, and multiple windows of information.

The second difference is primarily on the "mainframe" side. Via the Internet, the user has access to many different computers, different environments, and a multitude of applications. Thus, the user can treat the "cloud" environment as their own individual computing setup. Plus, since the computer that one uses usually has its own memory (even without a disk), work can be divided between the local computer/PC and the cloud devices.

From an outside point of view, 1981 and 2012 seem rather similar. The effect of access speed and the Internet's capability of hiding where and what is happening creates a very different experience.

The next blog will go into greater details on the advantages (and disadvantages) of the cloud environment.