The storm cloud.

Cloud computing, it’s nebulous, or maybe cumulus nimbus. No matter who you ask, you will get a slightly different answer. Always a similar theme, but slightly different. Personally, I think it is one of those trends, like recessions, which you don’t know it’s here until you are well into it.
If I look at the current situation, there are tell tale signs like SaaS and Saleforce.com. Is an ISP’s email offering or a Snapfish photo hosting service cloud computing? Sure.

Many of the Healthcare software providers already deliver their solutions via a hosting model, like Cerner, Iron Mountain, Philips, and GE Healthcare. Are they cloud computing? In my book they are. So what are we expecting to happen to declare that we are officially in a cloud, darn if I know? What is the internet if not a cloud? Let’s proclaim victory and move on to Galactic computing or nuro-computing or whatever the next trend is.

Well maybe we have to let go of our personal generators or personal wells to allow the cloud or utility computing become a reality. Why is it that we trust Ma Bell but not our computer networks? Reliability? I don’t think so? Think cell phone coverage and reliability. Convenience? Maybe. I AM typing this on a plane, can’t do that on the net yet!

In my book, it really does not matter, it like cutting, just pick the right knife for the job. The one which gets it done the way it needs to be done. There are clouds and there is rain and snow, and rivers and streams. They are all water.