When I first started using personal computers 64 MB was considered a HUGE hard drive. My how things have changed! The evolution of computers has seen drastic increases in speed, screen resolution, file sizes, sophistication of programs, and, of course the internet. With the internet has come something called "cloud" computing. See the video below for a quick (1:26 minute) definition of the "cloud."
What this means in practical terms is the ability of storing information,securely, in a way that it is available literally anywhere there is an internet connection. there was a time about five years ago when I would carry around with me everywhere a flashdrive with all my important files. This made me feel secure . . . until I lost the drive and began to worry who found it and what they might be doing with my files. Now I store everything in the Cloud, although, being paranoid, I periodically back even that up to a hard drive.
I currently use several different cloud storage services.
Dropbox is my "go to" Cloud service because it is completely transparent. Once I install the application on my computer it creates a folder in My Documents labeled "Dropbox." I simply store my files, any files, of any type, in that folder and like magic, it becomes available to me anywhere, on any device. I can access all my files on my ipad, or my Android phone or another computer, as long as each device has internet access. What is more, changes made from any device automatically update to the Cloud and are synced to all devices. This was a major problem with the flashdrive which had to be manually synchronized with my computer version and keeping track of versions became complicated. Check out this short video for more on Dropbox.
Google Drive is my preferred source for files I want to work on collaboratively with others from work or with family in distant places. It allows me real-time updates to files while others are also making updates and changes. It is easy to share documents/spreadsheets/presentations with individuals or groups and is a powerful work area. GoogleDrive can also store other files like pictures, etc. Here is a video about Google Drive.
Evernote is the place I use more like a portfolio than a storage place. Although I can store files there I find this is the perfect place for building a repository of documents, almost like a scrapbook, or scrapbooks that are easy to sort through, tag, and share. Evernote is used my an amazing number of people from all walks of life. I've mentioned in a previous post that I use Evernote through a plug-in on my browser to capture articles from the web, but that is really only the tip of the iceberg of what this program is capable of doing.
While I do use others (check this article out for a list of the Top 10 Best Cloud Storage Providers), and there are many, the point is that the use of these programs makes my life easier. When I go in to teach a class I have all my files waiting for me on any computer with internet access. If I stand up to preach, even if I only have my phone, I still have with me dozens of my old sermons with full outlines because of the application which connects my phone to the Cloud. Want to see a picture, I have hundreds of picture available from the Cloud to my phone, ipad, computer, without tying up any storage on the mobile devices. Same thing with music. PowerPoints? Spreadsheets? Documents?
.PDFs? I have entire classroom teaching notes for a dozen different classes for the entire term with me at a moment's notice, including handouts.
Don't discount the importance of the sharing aspect of the Cloud. I can share files or folders with anyone at the click of a mouse. I can give them edit rights, or simply view rights.
I want to encourage you to check out the article mentioned above and give one of these services a try. If you have a comment about your use of Cloud services, please share it.
