What is Cloud Computing and Web 2.0?

Have you heard of "cloud computing" or "Web 2.0"? Do you use computers primarily for personal reasons or do you use computers and applications for business? Do you use Gmail? Facebook? Twitter?



What is Cloud Computing?

Basically, applications live in the "cloud" and you log onto your applications via the internet. These applications do not need to installed on your personal computer. Software and data can be stored in the cloud as well. From the web searches I did, it sounds like cloud computing is becoming the way of the business world.


What is Web 2.0?

Web 2.0 is another name for cloud computing. Again, applications live in the cloud and are accessible from any computer at any time because you log onto the applications through the internet.


I have heard the phrases "cloud computing" and "Web 2.0" before, but I didn't really know what they meant. As it turns out, I use cloud computing on a daily basis. Google docs and facebook are Web 2.0 applications. I have shared photos with Picasa and Flickr. I read my sister's blog at least once a week. I am now considering looking into transferring all of my music files to the "cloud" so that I can free up some space on my hard drive and won't have to worry as much about my computer dying or spilling orange juice on it.