Electronics

[seaswirl]

I have a few questions about "the cloud."

1. Is there more than 1 cloud? i.e. do different companies have different clouds?

2. How do I get my stuff to the cloud?

3. How much does it cost to store stuff in the cloud?

[jackthebear]

My preference is to store my data where I can control it, not someone else.

Many different clouds,

[glb613]

Carbonite is a cloud backup service that has a good reputation. Apple and Microsoft also have "Cloud" services. You pay for it, download software to run it and it should automatically update your data. If I used my for anything important like a business, I would definitely have it. I backup my data on 2 different external hard drives. That won't help in a fire, tornado or other natural disaster where my house is destroyed. I really should make backups and put the external drive in my safe deposit box.

[gardenman]

Answers. 1. There are lots of clouds. I use Amazon's and Microsoft's. I'll probably start using Google's in the near future too. 2. Once you've joined a cloud (and many offer at least some space for free) you then simply upload the files you want saved. 3. I pay $25 a year for my Amazon cloud storage.

[Lynnj]

On 12/30/2014 seaswirl said:

I have a few questions about "the cloud."

1. Is there more than 1 cloud? i.e. do different companies have different clouds? Yes there is more than 1 cloud and different companies maintain their own clouds.

Its hard to explain in words, but the cloud is a service offered, and it stores your things on their computer instead of it being stored on your computer.The cloud is like a safe deposit box at the bank - it holds your important stuff, and you can get to it at any time.

You will always have access to your things, but you need to logon to that company computer to get to your things. You logon to the company cloud by going to the website (xxxxx.com for example) or many companies have an app that you download and install on your computer, phone, and/or tablet.

There are cloud companies that just offer cloud storage, like Dropbox and Carbonate (there are many others). This type of cloud storage is used in theory to create a backup, or 2nd copy, of what you have on your computer.

Then there are cloud companies that offer products and cloud storage with the products you use through those companies, like Amazon, Apple, Microsoft (the list goes on and on). These companies hold your stuff in their cloud. If you buy a digital book from Amazon, you can store the book on the Amazon cloud, instead of storing it on your own computer.

2. How do I get my stuff to the cloud? The answer to this depends on what computer you use (Apple or Microsoft operating system), and if you use a cell phone or tablet, what kind that is. Also, if you see above, the answer also depends on what you select to use as your cloud (storage only, or product with storage). In theory, you could end up having all of your stuff in the "cloud", but its spread out in different company clouds. (all Microsoft docs in Microsoft cloud, Amazon books/video in Amazon cloud, Apple iTunes music/videos in Apple cloud, etc.)

3. How much does it cost to store stuff in the cloud? Most companies offer a certain amount of storage space for free, then anything over that amount is a charge. Charges are typically a few dollars/month.

Here is a video from YouTube that helps to explain the cloud. I think it best explains it in simple terms. Copy/paste this link into your browser. Or search Google - CNN cloud computing, what is it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTNgV0O_oTg&spfreload=10

For me, I have my stuff stored in different places. Most is in Apple cloud, because I use those products. I also use Dropbox as my cloud storage, and they give 2GB free. I like Dropbox because it is simple, user friendly, and I can easily create folders and share links that are specific to just sharing with others. So if I want to share a bunch of pictures with you, but not everything else I have loaded, I can put those pictures in a special folder and then share only that folder with you. You will get a link to open, and you see only what I put in there, nothing else.

[151949]

When my tablet just decided to die one day out of the blue I was so glad that I had stored almost everything on the cloud - certainly everything that was of any importance. I used google cloud and when I went there with my new computer and opened the site - there it all was - safe and available. Most cloud services offer some storage for free but if you need more there is a charge. I have not , as yet, exceeded the free amount. I think it is the wisest thing to do, and so easy. I just rt click and hit save to cloud.

[Rabid1]

There is a difference between the cloud and cloud storage. There are many companies that sell/have cloud storage. The cloud is the internet or the ""space"" between your network and the myriad of servers/sites/networks that communicate with it through the internet.

[Black Cat Back]

How do you know for sure that your cloud data is secure and not being looked at by someone?

[VolvoGirl]

You sure don't. I don't use any cloud services or store anything in the cloud. And I don't do any online banking on a wireless connection. Only from my desktop pc that's wired to my router.

[151949]

Your account on the cloud is password protected but I would not store sensitive data there. I store things like photos, and recipes, how to info. etc. Something I don't want to lose but not anything that would hurt me if a hacker saw it. For instance I saved a how to video there about chalk painting, and another one about repairing the ice saver in our fridge, because some of the neighbors have been having issues with theirs. I also have the owners manual for my smart phone there.

I would not store sensitive things like bank or brokerage info there. I don't see any reason to store data from my bank or broker's sites. It is all there for you - totally available at any time on their site.Why would I pay to store stuff like that when they are already paying to store it - and I'm confident they have it all secure and properly backed up.