What is a Cloud?

What is the Cloud?

Today we are going to write about the term ‘The Cloud”.

No doubt you have heard the term before either in print, or in the media.

What is the Cloud?  Its basically a fancy word for online storage space.

Storing something in the cloud is basically storing something on what they call a computer server at a different location.    If you look at the picture those TALL machines (on the right and left) are examples of computer servers.

Confused yet?  Let me give you a more basic example!

Where is the Cloud?

Let’s say you have an email account at home with Yahoo, and you sign into your Yahoo account to see if you have any emails (the above picture).  The server at Yahoo SENDS those emails to your account so you can read them (From your web browser or internet browser).  Those emails were basically being stored on the server, and that technically is in the ‘cloud’.  Yahoo’s servers ARE the storage space.  They are the ‘cloud’ in this example.

In this case, Where is the Cloud?  At Yahoo!

No doubt you have noticed the folders in your email program similar the ones  I have pictured here.  The inbox, Draft, Sent, Bulk, Trash, and in this case a custom folder the computer user made called ‘purchases’.

Unless you delete the emails in these folders they will forever be stored in the ‘cloud’ at Yahoo.  They will be there each and every time you sign into your yahoo email account online.  Your emails are stored at Yahoo on their computer servers (their cloud), and can be accessed anywhere you sign into your email account.

Yes, ANYWHERE you sign IN!

Other basic examples of Clouds would be Facebook, Google Doc’s, or Flicker.

The all have their own servers, so those are all different Clouds!  People can upload their documents to Google Doc’s, or pictures to Flicker!  Depending on the service access to your files, pictures, etc can be limited to you, a group you choice, or open to the public.  You need to read the terms for each location.

What do you do in the Cloud?

Lets say for example, you are at Fran’s house on vacation.  You are expecting some pictures from your grandchildren’s soccer game, and they were going to email them to you.  Fran tells you to use her computer to see if they have emailed them to you yet, because she wants to see them TOO!

You go to the Yahoo website, and you sign into your account – like you do at home! Since your emails are stored on the yahoo cloud – and NOT your home computer – you can access your new emails from Fran’s house.   Now you and Fran are enjoying the soccer pictures! 

It would be the same principal if you stayed a hotel near Fran’s house, and the lobby of the hotel has a computer with internet connection for their guests to use. Yahoo’s servers (the cloud) will send those emails to you WHERE EVER you are!  As long as you don’t delete the email those pictures will stay in cloud for as LONG as you keep them there!

Another example of how to use the cloud would be to upload those soccer pictures to flicker, or some other site you choose to display your photos!  This would be a separate cloud, because they have their own servers.  Granted, some sites like google have many different aspects to their services.  For example, they are connected to youtube.  So your Google Docs and Youtube Videos are both on GOOGLE clouds – or their servers.

Most of the time when we speak of computer storage it refers to our computer itself!  For example, you are starting to write a article using your Word Program about your trip to Germany for a newsletter.  When you are done working on it for the day you ‘save it’ on the computer’s hard drive, disk drive, or maybe even a CD Rom for example.  All your work is saved, and you can finish it later!

The cloud has the same principal of storage, but the storage is ONLINE! 

What is Cloud Computing?

So you are still at Fran’s house, and she is going to Germany next year.  She wants to see what you have written so far about your trip!  Unless you have your computer with you, or your disk drive, or CD rom you won’t be able to show her.  Right?  You would have to be at YOUR computer at home to open it, and then show her the story for the newsletter.

Now if you have stored your article in the Cloud (online storage server), and your friend Fran has a computer with internet connection?  You can sign into that storage cloud where your file is – place the computer file in HER word program – and she can read it.  In some cases you can even read it online IN the cloud itself (in the computer browser)!

Let me use a more basic example!

So lets pretend that you uploaded your Germany article to Google docs (short for documents).  While you are at Fran’s house you can both read the article, and lets say Fran sees you have misspelled a word.  You can correct your grammar right there, and once you get home the document will still be corrected.  Yes, its similar to how you SAVE your work on your computer as well!  You are basically doing it online!

The cloud is a place some people use as a backup for their computer files.  That way if their computer broke, or a tragedy happened like your house caught on fire?  The computer maybe gone, but your files are still in the CLOUD online.  Think of it as ‘off sight’ storage!

Businesses can use the cloud in a similar way as we saw Fran help you with your misspelled word on your article.  They can have a group project ‘in the cloud’, and the employees can all work on the project in REAL TIME!  For example, Jack wants to add a picture to make the point more clear.  Jane feels a graph is also needed.  Jack could be in New York, and Jane could be in Texas.  Since they are in cloud?  They can both add these things, and they the both can see the additions. 

 

I hope these basic examples of What is the Cloud, Where is the Cloud, What do you do in the Cloud, and What is Cloud Computing helps you understand these terms more.

If something is not clear, or you feel something should be added to our lesson? Please feel free to leave your comment or question in section we provided.


Also please subscribe by leaving your email in the box supplied, and you will received future lessons by email as they come out.

Thank you for reading our How-To Guide for the Computer Beginner

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Surface Pro Sales Reach 400,000 in Only a Month

Since its launch, the Surface tablet from Microsoft has reached 400,000 sales, which isn't a bad start for a tablet that is definitely on the pricey side with an $899 price tag. What's even more impressive is that this tablet only launched a month ago. According to IDC Analyst Bob O'Donnell, "That's a respectable number and it leads me to believe that Surface Pro will end up outselling Surface RT."

O'Donnell is, of course, referring to the RT version of the Surface tablet, which is slightly less expensive at $499, though isn't compatible with older Windows software. "It's something that we've predicated all along because of the compatibility that Surface Pro offers," O'Donnell added. Overall, Microsoft has sold nearly 1.5 million Surface devices, including both Pro and RT versions, and was announced only three months ago.

Even though the RT version sold out initially, Microsoft was surprisingly able to keep up with demand quickly. Unfortunately, that hasn't been the case with the Pro. The high-end, 128GB Pro version of Surface has been continuously sold out since it was released on February 9. This model of the Surface tablet has only recently become readily available in the last week or so.

Regardless, the numbers being put up by the Pro are nothing compared to that of Apple's iPad. Apple sold more than 20 million iPads in the quarter ending in December, though Apple has been in this market substantially longer than Microsoft has and has also had time to fine tune its device. However, like Surface RT, the 9.7" Retina iPad starts at $499 while the iPad Mini is even cheaper at $329.

The trick with the Surface is that it puts a conventional, mainstream laptop into a 2 lb, 0.5" thick tablet. The Pro version comes with a 10.6" 1,920 x 1,080 full HD resolution display, Intel Ivy Bridge processor, 4GB of memory and a full-fledged solid-state drive, which is exponentially faster than the flash drives found in Apple and Android tablets.

Nonetheless, the numbers posted by Microsoft are impressive, especially considering the lackluster reviews that Windows 8 has been receiving. Windows 8 is the operating system that the Surface uses, though the OS has clearly been designed for use on touchscreen devices. It will be interesting to see what kind of numbers this tablet will post in the coming months.

Source: CNET - Microsoft Surface Pro sales hit 400K in a hurry

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Windows 8 Pro Discount Officially Ended

Well, it's official, you can no longer purchase an upgrade to Windows 8 Pro for the discounted price of $39.99. As of February 1, Microsoft has quintupled the price to $199.99. Just upgrading to the standard Windows 8, which doesn't include corporate features like BitLocker encryption and the ability to remotely connect to a company's network, will cost $119.99, though that edition was never discounted.

Upgrading to Windows 8 from an existing Windows operating system, like XP, Vista or 7, comes with varying degrees of success. It should come as no surprise that upgrading from Windows 7 causes the least amount of hassle with bringing along existing files, settings and applications whereas upgrading from XP is a little more difficult.

In addition to the end of the discount, several other deals also ended, including $69.99 prices for Windows 8 Pro on a DVD and something Microsoft was calling Windows 8 Pro Pack, which upgrades Windows 8 to Windows 8 Pro. The first upgrade will jump to $199.99 with the latter costing $99.99. Windows 8 Media Center pack, which is an add-on that makes it possible to play CDs and DVDs on a Windows PC, now costs $9.99.

Only one time has Microsoft discussed Windows 8 Pro upgrade numbers. This occurred back in October when CEO Steve Ballmer said his company had sold 4 million copies in its first three days. Since then, Microsoft has declined to give any specific sales numbers, even though the firm's CFO recently cited upgrades as one of several reasons why the Windows division's revenue increased 11% in the fourth quarter of 2012.

Have a short term rental need for Windows 8 systems?

Purchasers of the Windows 8 upgrade do not have to install it right away. Instead, they can create a bootable flash drive or installation DVD, then set aside the physical media for a later date. The final offer that recently expired was the eight-month deal that offered a $14.99 upgrade for customers who purchased a Windows 7-powered PC between June 2, 2012 and January 31, 2013. Those customers have until February 28 to claim the promotional code for the $14.99 price.

Windows 8 has received quite a bit of flak from users who believe that the heavy focus on touch-screen features do not translate well to desktops and laptops without touchscreens. Having used Windows 8 personally, I can honestly say that the new home screen and layout definitely take some getting used to, especially for long-time Windows users, though some of the features that are available are pretty cool and the operating system itself isn't all that bad (though that was at the time of the $39.99 download). I don't know if the operating system (or any, for that matter) is worth $200. 

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Lenovo Reveals 2 New Models

In February of 2002, Lenovo came in to being. 10 years later, Lenovo is now the top computer manufacturer in the world. In January 2013, Lenovo revealed 3 new computer designs at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

The three new computer designs consist of 2 different lines. The IdeaCentre A730 is the first model and the C-series makes up the 2nd line. The C-Series is the more affordable line  that will offer 2 models; a touch screen and non touch screen versions. With high end graphics cards being the standard and  the availability of up to 2 TB of memory, these models to compete with high end gaming systems but will be a little easier on the wallet. The non touch screen model will be available in February, while the touch screen version will be available in June.

The IdeaCentre A730 is a super sleek multi touch all in one model.  This model will allow Windows to openly compete with the Apple Mac Book Pro series. But the IdeaCentre A730 has a slight advantage over it Mac counterpart, it is equipped with a Blu-Ray drive. Lenovo has announced that this series of computers will be available in June of 2013 with a starting price of $1,499.

I think the new Lenovo all in one computers offer users a powerful compact computer with the portability of laptop with even more functionality than the new Mac Pro books.

Should you are ever need an all-in-one computer for a short term rental, please check with Rentacomputer.com

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How-To Get SIMS 3 to work with Windows 8 Computer

I'm writing this due to my experience with the kids SIMS 3 program.  I had purchased Windows 8 netbooks (The new fancy word for laptops), and they truly enjoyed it.  All was well until they tried to install their SIMS 3 program.  Yes, we got the same type of errors that everyone else has been getting.

 

Is the SIMS 3 program Compatible with Windows 8?

I can't tell you that what I do here will do the job for everyone else, but I sure do hope it works for you like it has for us.   There was alot of talk about Bit Defender (a program) conflicting with the SIMS 3 software, but we didn't have that program installed.  Thus I had to look for other options.

For us?  Windows 8 is compatible with SIMS 3.  You can’t install the program like you would normally is what I found.  If you have YET to install any aspect of the SIMS 3 program on your windows 8 machine?  Skip the Revo uninstaller portion, but do start downloading the patch I link to before you do install SIMS 3 ANYTHING on your windows 8 computer!

If you have installed any portion of the SIMS 3 program on your Windows 8 computer – like my kids did – follow our instructions to completely remove all aspects of it off your machine.

Yes, SIMS 3 support does show you how to do this manually.  I found it is a pain in the butt, and REVO uninstaller can do it quicker.  Heck it may even remove files they aren’t thinking about at EA support.

Below we will speak about completely removing the SIMS 3 off your computer as if it never existed prior.  So you will need to find a way to save your game progress, the extras you may have purchased, etc.  Once you follow my instructions they will not be on your computer anymore.  Save them now before going forward.

I had spoken to EA support line at length a number of days ago, and I followed all their instructions to the tea.  I found after all that work I still had the same stupid error while trying to install SIMS 3 on their Windows 8 machine. I gathered my patience for the next day, and decided that I would try this my way using some of the principals they spoke about on the phone.

Before we start make sure all of your windows updates are complete!

The first thing I did was download what EA support called the SIMS 3 Super Patcher.

If you look at the file size it seems large to me – it starts with a TS.  I downloaded this to my desktop, and while I waited for it to finish I  did the following to get my Windows 8 machine READY to work with our Sims 3 program.

I would make a ‘restore’ point on your computer in case you have any issues later on. That way if you have any problems you can restore your computer to an earlier time. The Revo Uninstaller does this as well, but I make a practice of doing this manually anyway.

Use Revo Uninstaller to remove SIMS 3 from your Windows 8 Computer

I went to download a free program called, Revo UnInstaller.  You will notice that they have a free option, and what they called a PRO (or professional) option.  I will be purchasing the PRO version at a later date, but to get the ball rolling on the Sims 3 program on their Windows 8 machine?  I used the free version of the program.

If you look to the bottom of the screen it will give you a link to download this freeware.  I did notice on the windows 8 machine that it started to install itself, and yet sent me to some webpage asking me if I wanted to also download some other program.   I didn’t use the second program they wanted to advertise, but finished installing Revo Uninstaller completely.

Once I launched the Revo Uninstaller on windows 8 computer it will scan your system for all installed programs.  This can take some time if you have plenty of programs already on the Windows 8 machine.

Once the scan is completed - you have some options along the top of the menu.  Select the uninstall option.  (see 1)

Look below and FIND your program icon that you are going to remove – see 2 (it will remove everything - not just icon).

By the way, in my picture below I didn’t use a SIMS 3 icon as an example.

Right click on program icon
Select Uninstall (see 2)

It will prompt you asking you if you are want to uninstall program - click yes.
Next Screen is 'Select an Uninstall Mode" I picked 'advanced' on bottom – then click next

Next Screen is 'Performing the initial analysis and uninstall' screen.

At this point you will see the a list of  4 jobs it will be doing, and in the meantime your normal SIMS uninstall wizard will run.  If you have time to read the 4 steps listed in the Revo uninstaller program?  Step four on the REVO screen it tells you this will happen. 

(Keep in mind the REVO uninstaller will launch the SIMS Installshield wizard automatically for you - you don't have to do that part.)

Leave the REVO program alone for now, and run the SIMS uninstall wizard until its completed.  No doubt you will get this message in the picture below, and Click YES this is what we are trying to accomplish!

Do all the steps that the InstallShield Wizard for the SIMS 3 program is asking you to do. 

Once you hit the FINISH button on the wizard – the wizard will close automatically. 

Your Revo Uninstaller Screen should be the only thing present, and you want to hit the ‘next’ button at that point on the Revo Program.

‘Scanning for leftover information’ screen will be running.  Allow it to finish. then Click NEXT

Found Leftover files and Folder or Registry screen will be next. 

Click 'select all', and then click "delete'. 

You will then get a message, 'are you are you want to send the selected files to the recycle bin?"  Click Yes. 

Scan will happen and when its done - click next.

You may get additional screens afterwards with different names, but we will do the same actions that we did above.  Just select all, delete, YES I want to send to recycle bin– and next!

Do this until the program is DONE! and then click finish.

I did the same to remove SIMS 3, all extension packs, and origin using this program.

Once SIMS program, all the extensions, and Origin have been removed - remember to empty your recycle bin.

Sims 3 Super Patcher for the Windows 8 Computer

This is just me, but once I do all this work?  I normally restart the computer as well.  It may not be needed, but that's just me as I said.

I was told to install the SIMS 3 super patcher prior to the SIMS 3 program (ea support line), but it would not allow it due to no SIMS program on system at all at this point.  THIS was a great sign for me! The program is completely GONE!

I reinstalled Origin.  Signed in - went to 'my games' and only installed the SIMS 3 program.  I will not run this program, because I want to do install the super patcher program first (per EA support).  So in others words DON'T hit play when its done!

I then went to my super patcher for SIMS 3 download (first item we downloaded above), and executed the program.  Hopefully, by this time your download we started at the beginning is finished.  It took a while to run, and I left the computer completely alone to let it do its thing.

Once the patch was completely installed?  I was getting excited, and I crossed my fingers and did a little prayer while I launched the SIMS 3 base program.  I almost fainted when it actually did what it was suppose to. 

I told my daughter to let the SIMS 3 program load completely, and don't download any extensions until the program is done loading EVERYTHING!

Sims 3 is Compatible with Windows 8 computers

I instructed her to download one extension at a time - let it load all the junk it needs to - add her purchases, extras, update files etc. on each expansion pack ONE AT A TIME! 

Once she was SURE everything was working on that pack?  Move to the next one.  Do the same thing.

I told her if ONE expansion pack screws up?  STOP, and we will look for the next solution.  At that point you know it’s the expansion pack, and NOT the SIMS 3 program if another error occurs.

So Far so good...we will see, and I hope my journey helped others!  Her SIMS 3 program is actually working on our Windows 8 computer.  Yes, it was an annoying adventure but at least its done for now.

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Windows 8 Not the Beacon of Hope the PC Market Needs it to Be

The PC market is slipping and, despite being launched with much fanfare, Windows 8 doesn't seem to be the shining beacon of recovery for the market as predicted. According to analysts, Windows 8 may do well to keep the PC industry running, but isn't enough to restore it to its former glory. According to Pund-IT Analyst Charles King, "Unfortunately, it seems unlikely that Windows 8 will be enough to turn around PC sales."

In addition to that, King added, "At the end of the day, IT sales depend as much on customer confidence as they do on vendor innovation. Vendors can occasionally nudge a market in one direction or another, a bit like a tugboat guides a far larger ship. But no single company can drag broader markets along in its wake."

The weight of the sluggish world economy has brought down the PC industry and so has a growing consumer infatuation with products like the iPad and other tablets. A lot of analysts have said that some enterprises have been holding off laptop and desktop purchases until Windows 8 comes out while others have been turning to tablets and smartphones as replacements for the traditional systems.

Robert Enderle, an analyst for the Enderle Group, believes that the PC business should get help from at least some of the waiting demand for Windows 8. "We do traditionally get a slowdown prior to a release," Enderle added. "Windows 8 is compelling. It could help turn things around but it will really depend on demand."

Another analyst, Patrick Moorhead of Moor Insights & Strategy, isn't quite as optimistic as Enderle. Moorhead notes that the biggest drag on the business hasn't been the imminent shipping of Windows 8 but has been the economy and tablets. "Windows 8 will help PC sales some, but won't be enough to make up for the lousy economy," he stated.

To top it all off, King added that he thinks the release of Windows 8 could even hurt business. "Windows 8 is so new and so radically different than previous versions of Windows that it could spark as much resistance as curiosity. On the other hand, some research has found that Windows 8's touch enablement tops the wish lists of most PC users. If that proves right, Microsoft and its OEM partners should reap the benefits."

Note: Windows 8 is expected to be readily available on computer rentals starting in early 2013.

Source: Computer World - Windows 8 not likely to restart ailing PC market

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At $199 Will The New(er) Chromebook Finally Become Mainstream?

Consumers lining up to get their hands on the all new, low-priced Samsung Chromebook may want to wait. Google announced today that a new Acer Chromebook will be released tomorrow for the new low price of $199. This comes a little over a month after Google released the new Samsung Chromebook, at a then-low-price of $249.

The move by Google is an unexpected but pleasant one. Releasing a brand new Chromebook by a different manufacturing partner a month after the release of the Samsung Chromebook begs the question as to why the two were not released at the same time? Regardless of the timing, Google is now looking to make this Acer Chromebook the first truly mainstream Chromebook laptop.

Some of the new features, or to put it better, differences between the Acer and Samsung Chromebooks include storage and battery life.  The display of the Acer is the same as the Samsung Chromebook, an 11.6 in. display with a resolution of 1,366x768. The Acer Chromebook also comes with the same Chrome Operating System as the Samsung and the 100 GB of Google Drive Storage for two years. The differences, however, between the two computers as far as storage could not be more different. The Samsung Chromebook featured a SSD (solid state drive) that contained only 16 GB of storage, while the new Acer Chromebook has a traditional HDD (hard disk drive) that contains 320 GB of storage. This major leap in storage is sure to be a tipping point for many consumers who like the idea of the Chromebook but did not like the lack of storage. The other major difference, and really major flaw for the Acer-made Chromebook, is the decrease in battery life. While the Samsung Chromebook has a good 6.5 hours of battery life, the Acer Chromebook's battery lasts only 3.5 hours. This lack of battery life is sure to be a big issue for many potential customers who are not looking for a laptop that you have to "plug in" every few hours.

Google, with these two new laptops, and more specifically with the Acer Chromebook, is trying to get their Chrome Operating System into the mainstream computer world. Chrome Operating System, or Chrome OS, is a very basic and simple operating system that uses Google's popular web browser, Chrome, to operate. Users of Chrome OS do all of their interaction through the Chrome interface and can download and use applications from the "Chrome Web Store". Since the productivity and usefulness of this operating system is largely dependent on the internet, it has not become a huge success. With the addition of offline apps and the continual drop in price of Chromebooks, however, Google may finally see their product become mainstream.

While Google certainly has a long, and frankly impossible, shot of taking down Microsoft as the king of computer operating systems, they certainly are taking steps in the right direction. While the functionality of the Chrome OS may still be limited, the reduced price point for a "fully functioning laptop" is sure to attract many consumers. Only time will tell if the new $199 price point will be just what was needed to lure customers to their brand, but one thing is for sure, at that low price Google will get people's attention.

Source: CNET - Acer C7 Chromebook

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