Module 3 Computing in the Cloud

Computing in the Cloud!

Wow! What a concept! Just like a cloud in the sky technology trends seem to be floating right above us.  Trends in technology are ever present. Right now, the trend seems to be collaboration of data, with people being able to freely access that data from any where, any time and at any place with any device available to them. All I can say is "wow!"

I think about how wonderful this new trend is going to be. For example the Zoho technology. As I "floated" in the Zoho cloud, my mind became planted in some businesswoman's shoes. She had a job and a responsibility and a deadline on an important project her boss asked her to be in charge of. She had people working under her who depended on her, yet she had a young family and dinner to prepare and laundry to fold. Wow, what if she could work on that project at home after the kiddos are were in bed. She could freely access her files and collaborate with others in the same boat and get that project done by the deadline without having to worry about "did I leave that file at work?" or wondering just when she was going to meet with the other people on the project.

Working with Google documents and having others with the ability to jump in and collaborate is great! Can you imagine working on a spreadsheet for library budget with a co-worker but this co-worker just happens to be at a conference in Maine? I mean I could be running a book fair and during break collaborate with my co-worker in Maine. Talk about saving time! All the work could be done stress free. No worries about just one person doing all the work in a rush job.

Working with the cloud technology trend, I see greatness, especially in a library setting.   A library can be "the hub" supplying access to those in need of collaborating with others. Internet availability with plenty of browsers and access  to many applications with librarian no-how is necessary. Librarians must have experience with these applications in order to be able to be the driver of "the hub." Data can be accessed wherever a signal can be picked up on a device, any device, that may be available to a person. All that can be available in a library. Most libraries today have those capabilities and accessabilities.
It's just a new way to think and work and utilize the library. Just as books were new to people when libraries came in to being all those years ago. A new way of thinking back then and new way of thinking now.


As with any trend there are drawbacks. It's new. Kinks have to be worked out. Rules and regulations have to be created. There is definately a need to teach people "their responsibility" in this trend such as back up and privacy. One MUST NOT assume that the people of our time understand and know "their responsibility." It MUST be taught by ALL who are going to engage in this new technology.....this new cloud!