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AS FAR AS buzzwords and jargon go, the cloud has to be one of the most confusing names out there. Thrown around with wild abandon, it’s a term that is regularly used by services yet never properly explained.
Chances are you’re already relying on one service already, companies such as Adobe, Apple and Microsoft have released products that require syncing to the cloud, so what exactly is it and how much should you depend on it?
Ok, so what exactly is ‘the cloud’?
It’s best to think of it as an online hard drive, where your data is saved on the internet instead of on a physical hard drive.
While the origin behind the name isn’t clear, the most popular reason given is during the early days of network design, the symbol network engineers used to describe the internet was a cloud, because it represented more than just networks and the web.
Unlike physical hard drives which are either fixed in the one location or require you to carry around, you can access cloud storage anywhere that has an internet connection, and over a wide range of devices, most of which can be synced together so each one stays up to date what any changes made.
Many people use it as a backup for photos, documents and other important files, while others use it as an easy way to access certain files from different devices like their work computer or smartphone.
For lower-end smartphones which don’t have much storage in the first place, it’s a handy option to have. Also, smaller businesses which don’t want to spend large amounts on hard drives and their own storage use it as a cheaper option to save data.
Normally, you can access cloud services (and any files you have saved) through the web, but you can also connect them to your smartphones and tablets, all the major services have their own dedicated app, and manage your files remotely.
What services are out there?
The answer is quite a lot, each one has its own strengths and uses or work better with certain products. For this, we’re going to focus solely on consumer products and the free storage each one offers so here are some of the more popular services out there.
iCloud - Apple’s own cloud service designed for iPhone/iPad users. Unlike the other services, iCloud only saves information you would usually store on your phone or tablet so its use is limited. New users start off with 5GB of storage.
Google Drive – While best used by those who rely mostly on Google products like Docs or Gmail, Drive can be used by anyone who has a Google account. New users start off with 15GB of storage.
OneDrive – Previously known as SkyDrive, Microsoft’s offering is most useful if you’re a regular user of Office, Outlook and similar products. New users start off with 7GB of storage, but can increase the amount of space available by completing actions.
Dropbox - One of the more popular third-party cloud services out there although is beginning to be overshadowed by rivals offering larger storage. New users start off with 2GB, but like OneDrive, you can earn extra space (up to 15GB) by recommending friends to the service or following accounts.
Amazon Cloud Drive – The online retailer has been developing its web products and cloud storage is no exception. Users start off with 5GB of storage.
Box.com - Not to be confused with Dropbox, Box.com was created with professionals in mind, but it’s still handy for those who use the cloud for personal reasons. New users get 10GB of space for free.
CloudMe – Another alternative which is growing in popularity, CloudMe is based in Sweden and therefore your data is protected by EU laws. New users start off with 3GB of storage.
SpiderOak – Its focus solely on privacy – a ‘zero-knowledge’ policy means it doesn’t know what your passwords or encryption keys are – makes it one of the most secure cloud services out there. New users start off with 2GB of storage.
All services allow you to pay for extra storage, the majority requiring you to pay a subscription fee to avail of it. This would only be useful if you’re heavily reliant on one particular service.
What if I choose more than one service?
Considering how many options there are out there, and how different the amount of storage space each one offers new users, there’s nothing to say you can’t sign up and rely on two or more services to avail of all that free storage space.
However, it’s worth keeping in mind that the more services you sign up to, the more complicated it is to manage them.
There are services which can help you manage certain accounts together. One good example would be Primadesk, which can allow you to manage ten accounts, including Dropbox and Google Drive, for free. If you don’t mind spending a bit of cash, Otixo might be a better bet and offers a 14-day trial to get you started.
How does it work on smartphones/tablets?
In general, just as well as you would expect. Some services allow you to set up your devices so that any new photos or videos – usually the most common reason for syncing – are automatically uploaded to cloud storage, but for those worried about racking up a large bill from doing this, all services require a WiFi connection first before it uploads automatically.
Usually, you’re asked what methods you want to use to upload the first time you open an app (always choose WiFi unless you have an amazing data plan), but if there’s any uncertainty, it’s best to check the settings for whatever app you’re using first to make sure.
What are the drawbacks?
Like all things, there are cons to any service, the biggest one being security and privacy. Since your information is online, this becomes more important than ever and you should check up to see what precautions a service offers first before signing up.
Companies like Dropbox have been criticised of not letting users know about certain security vulnerabilities, while one hacker recently found a security flaw in Apple’s iCloud allowing a hacker to unlock a stolen iPhone, which doesn’t inspire confidence if you’re considering saving more than just text files and photos.
In some cases, like for Apple or Microsoft, you’re required to sync and backup your products to the cloud. If privacy is a concern, then you need to be aware that if it’s online, then there’s always a possibility of a security breach occurring.
That said, each service offers encryption to make sure your data is safe but on the users’ end, the best thing to do is to create a strong password (make it as long as possible, use different characters, don’t use the same password for different accounts, etc.) and don’t store sensitive information like bank account details on it.
What if I prefer to keep files offline?
Considering how much you can now store on hard drives now, and their price, having one can work well in conjunction with cloud storage, both serving different roles.
The price of physical hard drives has fallen in recent times – a 1TB hard drive cost between €70 – €90 depending on where you look – so there’s no reason not to look into getting one.
The obvious problem is the lack of accessibility – you either have to leave it at home or carry one around with you – meaning it’s better for significantly larger files or files you don’t need to access to immediately.
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“Think of something pleasant so you appear sincere” OR be sincere.
You forgot to mention that Winston Churchill spent most of his life in an alcoholic haze. His famous “fight them on the beaches” speech sounds so belligerent because he was apparently 3 sheets to the wind . The nation thought that it was his fighting spirit that made him sound so resolute but in fact it was more probably the contents of a bottle of brandy that gave him that growling tone. The only thing he didn’t do was finish off his speech with “the fugging bashtrds, I’ll take ‘em all on!”.
…rewriting history there Brian, are we?
Ya churchy baby loved the sauce, some of his hardest and best decisions were made late at night with a brandy bottle. He said that he got more out of booze than booze ever got out of him.
The Dude, far from it. Churchill was a renowned drinker who had champagne for lunch and dinner followed by brandy and was rarely seen without a glass of whiskey by his side. He reputedly got sick as a young boy and his doctor advised him to drink sherry as a remedy only he neglected to mention how much and more importantly when to stop, This article http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/thinking-man/11371641/The-day-I-tried-to-match-Churchill-drink-for-drink.html lays out what Churchill drank during the day. It would make most people completely useless by tea time but to someone who had being drinking for years it would be achievable.
Another notable person who was an working alcoholic for most of their life and still achieved success is Ingvar Kampard, the founder of Ikea https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ingvar_Kamprad . He reckons that he became an alcoholic by drinking large amounts of vodka while doing deals with suppliers and customers in Poland as he grew the business. He reputedly drinks 2 bottles of vodka a day but dries out 3 times a year.
It didn’t stop him from becoming the greatest leader of the 20th century!
I never said it did. Although calling him the greatest leader of the 20th century may well be a matter for debate.
Keep your hands out of your pockets as you shake someone’s hand. Solid advice
Mono Official
And politicians take note, – keep your hands out of other people’s pockets when shaking their hands…
” 2. Reduce how quickly and often you nod. ” – Mary (headbangin’ to a ‘Whole lot of Rosie’.) Robinson take note.
‘Make people feel like they’re the most intelligent, impressive and fascinating person you’ve ever met’
So.
If you’re talking to some boring a**hole then you’re actually suppressing your rational intelligence and becoming a two faced duplicitous a**hole yourself in the process.
Great.
That really makes sense.
One sure fire way to become the least influential person in the world….
Tell people what you really think of them.
That is the most intelligent, impressive and fascinating thing I’ve ever heard. Please, Oran, do go on…
Is that you Oprah?
Oran what if bullies read this and thing, yes we can bully someone and use these techniques against the victim they are bullying? By spreading lies about the victim to justify the bullying as craic or as excuses for the bullying by controlling the reasons for it or getting others to join in on it because they are stupid or immature not to know the difference?
……
Keep on noticing this trend: Take a common sense subject, go over think the subject for years & then write a book about it.
No to FG/Lab/FF
So what is the alternative ?
A shower of misfits !
Careful what you wish for
Seeing as it’s about being a false leader.
Should we not ad.
1 Be corrupt and willing to take back handers.
2 Get wealthy corrupt backers behind you and be willing to forward their agenda no matter how vile it is.
3 Loose all respect and love for fellow humans including your own family.
…and use a teleprompter.
Johnneary
And hire 25 personal assistants and staff to tell him what to say, – but heaven forbid that he takes part in any live debate, in case he’s found out…
…I was referring to Hussein Obama
Amen Guys.
Practicing all of the things in the above article won’t produce a charismatic/good leader.
It may produce a bought out, false also-ran puppet pseudo leader, kleptocrat or crony capitalist.
‘Think of something pleasant and a photo of Oprah underneath..bad call
This is a joke but did you mean… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SOvZmVD1kQ
I use to get drunk and loved everybody then and I didn’t have a good time unless the other person had a good time as well.
How about stopping this nonsense and become truthful to yourselves and to others, liking or loving people is the best way to becoming charismatic. Anything else just makes you a liar to yourself and to others.
I do dislike this as it is a way to make people fake in other to get what THEY WANT and that is using people. Another name for people like this is sociopathic…
13. Get confident, stupid!
Wave your hands all over the place whilst talking
Is not meaning and believing what you say the most important thing not good acting.
You wha? “Think of something pleasant so you appear to be sincere.” Become an excellent listener by deliberately pausing and asking questions.” and “Combine your power with warmth to create a full, charismatic package.”
Congratulations, you are now becoming a sociopath?
A bad handshake is the worst, men or women it doesn’t matter a limp,weak n slithering handshake has just ruined anything else you try to say! Also don’t touch me anywhere else when you shake my hand, my hand your hand end of,no shoulders, no elbows, no mid arm,no mid waist just the hand thanks!
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