What Is Cloud Computing?
Earlier today, an entrepreneur attempted to explain to the Taskmaster what “cloud computing” is.
“Well, it’s where your data is stored off in the clouds, in the sky somewhere – on a satellite or something I guess – and you can access it from anywhere!” says the entrepreneur.
Old Taskmaster was somewhat amused by this “off in the clouds” explanation of what “the 
cloud” is.
For the record, the cloud is when your data is stored on a hard disk in someone else’s data centre. Usually on Earth. You access your data in someone else’s data centre over the internet.
Cloud computing includes – for example – online email services like Gmail or Hotmail, online app services like Google Apps, website hosting services and social media services such as Twitter and Facebook.
In each of these cases, your data lives on someone else’s computer – “in the cloud”.
Google Drive vs Dropbox
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Google Drive
Google Drive provides countless possibilities for collaborating, sharing and real-time editing. Here’s how it works:
- Go to Google Drive on the web at drive.google.com.
- Install Google Drive on your computer or mobile device.
- Throw your files in Google Drive. It’s right there on your device.
Now your files go everywhere you do. Change a file on the web, on your computer, or on your mobile device and it updates on every device where you’ve installed Google Drive.
Share, collaborate, or work alone: your files, your choice.
Dropbox
Dropbox is a file hosting service operated by Dropbox, Inc., that offers cloud storage, file synchronization, and client software.
Dropbox allows users to create a special folder on each of their computers, which Dropbox then synchronizes so that it appears to be the same folder (with the same contents) regardless of which computer is used to view it.
Files placed in this folder also are accessible through a website and mobile phone applications. Go to Dropbox and install Dropbox on your computer or mobile device.
