Article 9

Hayes, B. (2008) Cloud Computing. Communications of the ACM, July 2008.

Cloud Computing

Summary:
Brian Hayes, in his article titled Cloud Computing, writes of new software programs that are moving to the “clouds.” Hayes (2008) writes, “Data and programs are being swept up from desktop PC’s and corporate server rooms and installed in the compute cloud” (pg. 186). Instead of buying software and installing it on personal computers or in group computer labs the trend is to use programs and store data and access it through the internet. Hayes writes about a correlation between cloud computing and time-sharing systems of the past. He suggests that total control of computing, which was a trend in the eighties, comes with a price. Software must be installed and updated and configured and then updated again. With cloud computing installing, updating and configuring software is done for the user. Hayes then goes on to describe several examples of cloud computing currently being used. He cites the Google Docs program, which allows people to use a word processor, spreadsheet and a power point like program all online. There are also business management programs available “in the clouds” as well as data storage programs. One skepticism of cloud computing has to do with data storage and how safe it is. Hayes poses several questions about the safety of personal documents once they are no longer in the author’s possession.

Response:
Cloud computing could be a huge asset to educators. Not having to install, update and configure software on personal and school computers could really free up some time and save us all some headaches. This also made me think of copywrite issues. Could we avoid some of the copywrite issues surrounding software by using cloud computing software? I wonder if there would be the option for “lab passes” with cloud computing. There would need to be the opportunity to purchase access for multiple users for these types of software programs to be accessible for schools to use. I was also intrigued by Hayes’ argument about privacy concerning personal documents being stored in cloud computing programs. This would be a concern of mine. Who could possible gain access to personal documents that may need to be kept confidential? Before allowing my documents to be stored in clouds there would need to be some assurance of cloud computing programs commitment to confidentiality.