Cloud computing service - A DropBox perspective.

Sign up screen on my iPad.

Welcome screen on my iPad.

My public folder on my iPad.

My public folder on my Blackberry



This post aims at explaining how to sign up and use a free cloud computing service from Dropbox perspective. There are other free cloud services From Microsoft, Google and even apple. I am only using Dropbox for illustration. (hope you understand *wink*)

For clarity, I will be listing the major steps involved.

1. Goto www.dropbox.com to download the software on your laptop /desktop or goto Blackberry app world to search and download Dropbox to your blackberry or goto apple store to download the Dropbox app to your iPad / iPhone. You can as well download Dropbox to all of your gadgets at once ( after all you,ll be accessing your files from them)
The screen above is from my iPad.

2. Create a free account using your email and any password of your choice (even though you can use your email's password, my advice is : don't use your email's password for security reasons.
The steps involved in creating a free account are very easy compared to Facebook or any email service you are using.

3. You are good to go. Dropbox offers free 2GB data, which is decent if you don't intend loading large files.

To upload any file from your computer, simply drag it to your Dropbox, and it uploads automatically.
Sign in to your Dropbox account from any other device, and you,ll see the files you uploaded. You can then choose to work with it, or send it to your friends or clients.

You can ask questions using the comment button, or add more contribution to this post. Keep watching this site for more info.

Regards.

What is Cloud computing, and how is it Implemented?

Cloud computing seeks to deliver your content on all your mobile devices. It has to do with uploading and access ing your files on the Internet and then sharing them or collaborating on them with others on the Internet.
The term CLOUD simply refers to the Internet.

There are a number of advantages of cloud computing compared to saving your files locally, and these include:

1. Ability to protect your files from local threat like fire, flood, theft, power surges, viruses etc. uploading your files to a password protected cloud service secures and protects your files from these threats.

2. Ability to access those files any where in the world on virtually any device like Smart phones, tablets and computers. With any of these gadgets, you can access all your files remotely and securely.

3. Ability to share your files with others eg. Instead of emailing someone a bunch of videos, pictures or files, you can simply email the link to them. Then can then download Or view them online from the secure cloud service you are using.


DOWNSIDES TO CLOUD COMPUTING
1. Requires Internet connection to work.
2. There's risk associated with data breaches.
3. It can't store data as much as local drives. (unless you pay for larger size)

Some of the current players that offer cloud service are:
1. Microsoft ( skydrive with free 7GB space)
2. Dropbox (with free 2GB space)
3. Apple
4. Google
5. LG


I will be sharing how you can sign up and use a free cloud service in my next post. Please bookmark and keep watching this site.


Do you know any other cloud computing service? You can share with us.