Transcript CLOUD COMPUTING - Discovery Owners

USING THE CLOUD
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WHAT IS CLOUD
COMPUTING?
Cloud computing means storing and
accessing data and programs over the
Internet instead of your computer's hard
drive, thumb drive or external hard drive.
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CLOUD & RVer
BENEFITS
Data available on any device, anywhere
(assuming compatible apps on mobile)
Good and easy backup strategy
DOWNSIDES
Requires (fast) Internet Connection
Cellular data cost/large files, metered plans
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CLOUD SPECIFICS
CLOUD SOFTWARE
Spreadsheet, word processor, etc provider by cloud server.
Google Docs, Office365
CLOUD SERVICES
Specialized software hosted in cloud/run on your browser.
Evernote, Pocket, LastPass
CLOUD STORAGE
Offsite storage for files, pictures, etc
Excellent for backup and sharing
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WHICH CLOUD PROVIDER(S)
CHOOSE A PROVIDER THAT WILL BE
THERE FOR THE LONG TERM
If company goes bankrupt, can you
download your data in timely manner
Companies like Microsoft, Apple, Google,
Yahoo will likely be there for the long haul
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CHOOSE A PROVIDER THAT HAS
AFFORDABLE RATES
Many offer free plans, but you may need
more storage space. Balance cost with
convenience and long-term viability.
The company with free 100 GB may or may
not be around for the long haul.
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SOFTWARE VIA THE CLOUD
Spreadsheets, documents, notes, etc
Cloud is useful:
If you don’t have the software program
If you need to collaborate with others
Track changes
Software is always up-to-date
Downsides
Need internet connection
Software may not be as powerful
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CLOUD SOFTWARE
EXAMPLES
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Google Documents
Microsoft Office 365
Adobe CSS Photo/Video/Audio
Benefits – always up to date, accessible
on most devices, perhaps versioning, can
be much less costly
• Downside – usually need internet, cost
may be more than desktop software if you
only need one copy
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CLOUD STORAGE
File Storage
MS OneDrive (formerly Skydrive)*
Box
Dropbox
Google Drive
General file storage. Most providers encrypt
your files stored in the cloud, but
accessible to them. Consider encrypting
yourself using Boxcryptor first.
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*Win8 users, see impt note later
CLOUD COMPARISON
Free Sync History OCR PDF
OneDrive 7GB
#
Yes
No
Box
10G
#
Yes
No
Dropbox 2GB
#
Yes
No
G Drive 15GB
#
Yes**
Yes*
# Sync capability varies
*Only PDF created from scanner or camera, not
software such as Word
**Must be turned on
Prices for additional storage dropping rapidly
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CLOUD STORAGE BENEFITS
Backup, Backup, Backup!
Easy file sharing – public or private, by
folder or by file
Accessible on virtually and device –
computer, tablet or smartphone – wherever
you are. Don’t have to carry files with you.
Save precious onboard storage space
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SPECIALIZED CLOUD
STORAGE
PICTURES / VIDEO:
Flickr, Shutterfly, Google Picasa/Google+
Easy way to backup and selectively share
your photos and video
All have ability to automatically save your
pictures and video from your smartphone
using cell data and/or wifi
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SHUTTERFLY
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Unlimited photos
jpg, jpeg only
Selected video and audio formats
Easy to order your pictures as a book, on
a cup, etc.
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FLICKR
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1 TB total storage
Max photo size 200MB
Max Video size 1 GB
jpg, gif, png – No RAW
Various video and audio formats
Android and iOS apps available
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GOOGLE PICASA
• 15 GB shared with Drive, GMail and
Google+
• Numerous photo formats including RAW
• Many video and audio formats supported
• No official iOS or Android app, use
Google+
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Google+
• No storage limits for photos under 2048
pixels longest edge
• No storage limits for videos < 15 minutes
• 5 GB free for higher-res photos and longer
videos
• All file types supported (may count in
Google Drive 15GB free limit)
• Several auto enhancement features
• Android and iOS apps available
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CLOUD SERVICES
Powerful specialized programs or features
that run on or are stored on cloud servers
BROWSERS
Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Opera, Internet
Explorer (Win8 only) all have the ability to
share bookmarks with same browser. Some
can share tabs and additional data.
Bookmarks and other data are shared via
the cloud, tied to your account.
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POCKET
Interesting website/article, but no time to
read now or phone screen too small?
From your smartphone or your web browser
(with the Pocket extension), save the site to
Pocket. Use tags to help you group articles.
Works on all platforms.
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EVERNOTE, ONENOTE
Premier services for multimedia notes
Everything you need, instantly, available
everywhere, any platform
Search for anything, find it easily
Both have OCR (pictures and scans only)
OneNote is better Digital Notebook
Evernote is the better Digital Filing Cabinet
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EVERNOTE, ONENOTE
Evernote has better third-party integration in
iOS and Android
OneNote is better integrated into Windows
Evernote offers text/note encryption, also
can have Reminders in Evernote
Limited monthly uploads on Evernote, paid
plan is $45/year
ONE PLACE FOR ALL YOUR INFO!
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*SPECIAL NOTE FOR MS
ONEDRIVE
This pertains to Windows 8 users only.
OneDrive is tightly integrated into Windows 8 and
it cannot be removed.
OneDrive is the default location for storing your
documents, pictures, etc.
Files saved are in the OneDrive cloud AND on the
computer that created them. They will NOT be on
the hard drive of your other devices (unless you
sync them) and therefor accessible by these other
devices only when connected to the Internet.
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IN SUMMARY
Cloud computing offers many potential
benefits, especially for data/picture backup
and storage/easy access for all your data.
You do not truly have a backup unless at
least one copy is stored off-site. A disaster
is likely to wipe out your computer AND your
backup drive at your house or in your RV.
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