Check it Out: Wall Street Journal Provides Primer on Cloud Computing
The Wall Street Journal today (October 12th) featured an article, or rather, more of a questionnaire, that provided some basic knowledge about cloud computing – and done in a very fun way. I thought it was significant because such a mainstream business publication was giving subjects such as cloud computing and virtualization so much attention. Clearly, the subject of “the cloud” has moved well beyond the realm of discussions at the water cooler in the IT department.
The Journal said that “cloud computing is attracting a lot of interest from chief information officers and high-tech entrepreneurs. They like the promise of lower cost, less complexity and reduced power consumption.” With a series of 10 questions, the story also tested readers on their general knowledge of the cloud.
Here are a few of the Journal’s Qs&As on cloud computing:
- What exactly is cloud computing? Is it “lightweight software that takes up little space on a hard drive” or “computing resources that can be accessed on demand, like electricity from a utility.” Answer: the latter.
- Which of these techniques is vital for creating cloud computing centers? (Virtualization, Cannibalization, Transubstantiation, or Insubordination?) Answer: Virtualization.
- An internal cloud is: An overhanging threat or a cloud that sits behind a corporate firewall? The first is the right answer if you’re in a lousy mood. But the second choice is the right answer.
- What August event was widely seen as an example of the risky nature of cloud computing? Was it the spread of the Conficker virus, or was it Gmail outage for more than an hour? Answer: the August 31 outage of Google’s Gmail.
I highly recommend reading the WSJ’s coverage of cloud computing and the paper’s very entertaining Q&A!
