Here I go again talking about online applications and data storage. I keep bringing it up because the idea makes more sense to me everyday.
In just my first two days of work this week, I found multiple examples of how computing online instead of on your desktop makes sense for so many people. It will be a long time before serious photographers, movie makers, engineers, and graphic designers can make do with online applications because their programs require a great deal of computer speed, power, and storage. However, for the bulk of computer users at home and many in small businesses, migrating data online and utilizing online applications can save a great deal of time and money.
Many households today now have multiple computers. Unfortunately, computers don’t always last as long as we would like due to mechanical failure or security breeches and often we would like to be able to access data or programs that exist on one computer from another. For these reasons and more, working with online applications makes perfect sense. Online applications and data storage gives you a lot of flexibility and security. Here is a quick list of my advantages and disadvantages of online computing:
Advantages
- Data is always backed up
- Data is secure
- Data is available from any computer, anywhere
- Applications for editing and creating data is available from any computer, anywhere
- Buying the latest and greatest computer is no longer a factor
- Buying expensive applications is no longer necessary
- Compatibility with other applications is now easier
- All basic computing needs from light digital photo editing, word processing, spreadsheets to checkbook management, basic genealogy and more can be done with just a browser and an Internet connection
Disadvantages
- Some computing needs can’t be met online yet (engineering, high end movie or photo editing, desktop publishing, etc)
- A high speed Internet connection is required
- A small learning curve and paradigm shift is necessary.
- Search our web site for Web 2.0 to learn even more.
