ÌÇÐÄvlogÊÓƵ

Cloud computing refers to using web-based services for computing purposes like creating and storing files or running apps. When you use "the cloud” you are accessing computers more powerful than your own (remote servers) over the internet. Cloud computing is offered by companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft who maintain large server farms where your files are remotely hosted. To use their cloud you either buy space or they will offer you a certain amount of space for free.

By contrast, things that are not accessible via the internet and are only on your personal device are referred to as being "local". We sometimes also refer to apps that are on your computer as being "desktop versions". For example, if you download the program Word, you now have a local installation of that program that lives solely on your computer. It is a desktop version of Word because it is not connected automatically to the internet or any cloud service. If you create a document using this Word app, it is generated and stored on your computer, you cannot access it from anyone else's computer, but you can access it without being on wifi. 

To move between a cloud-based platform and your local computer, you need to upload or download whatever file you're using. For example, if you drag and drop a file created in Word to your Google Drive, you are uploading that file to the cloud. If you download a file off of Moodle, you are moving it from Moodle's cloud-based platform to your local computer.

If throw your computer into a river (oops!), you will lose everything that is stored locally, meaning anything created on your computer that hasn't been uploaded to the internet. However, even though your computer is useless, anything you have stored in the cloud will be retrievable on a new computer. As long as you are connected to the internet, you will be able to access any files stored in the cloud.

If you are wandering in the desert without any internet connection, you will only have access to things on your local computer but not anything stored in the cloud. You will still be able to use apps that don't need wifi access, so if you have a desktop version of Word, you can still work on your Hum paper. However, if your draft is a Google doc, you will have to start anew since you won't have cloud access. Download music ahead of time for any desert travels. Local versions of file are not subject to change, whereas cloud versions are at the mercy of corporations.

You can see that it is probably a good idea to have back-ups of any files you really care about stored in the cloud, and there are also times when it is useful to have things downloaded onto your local machine. Having important files stored in multiple places is always a good idea. 

You are probably already aware of some of Reed's cloud services because your email is hosted by Google, but here are more cloud-utilizing technologies you have access to: 

• Google apps: This is where you can find out more about your email, Google Calendar, Google Drive, and Google Groups. 

• Virtual Computer Lab: Reed's Virtual Computer Lab will let you use programs you might not be able to download to your personal computer.

• R Server: This is an online version of R Studio that your professors may like you to use for classes. There is also a desktop version available at this link. You can find out more about using the R Server in the first two R workshops. 

• Microsoft Office Online: This includes programs like Word, Excel, and Powerpoint. Some of the Microsoft tools offered limited features in the online versions, so we recommend you download a local version.  

• Cloud Backups: We always suggest you make backups and Reed has options for both students and faculty or staff.