Real World Cloud Computing

I'm a huge fan of the blog, Humans of New York, and I thought it was interesting that this photograph was posted yesterday. I always appreciate seeing things I'm learning about in a real world application. 

The Cloud: A Brief Explanation for Librarians

Everyone,

Hello! I just wanted to post this article that I found: The Library Cloud Pros and Cons by Edward M. Corrado and Heather Lea Moulaison.

The article contains a lot of information specific to libraries and I thought that it may be a good resource when responding to the posts made in our blog. It defines cloud computing, provides a list of pros and cons, two case examples of libraries and their experiences, and even lists many of its uses.

Reference:
Corrrado, E. M., & Moulaison, H. L. (2012). The library cloud pros and cons.The Digital Shift. Retrieved from http://www.thedigitalshift.com/2012/03/software/the-library-cloud-pros-and-cons/

Cloud Computing and Library Automation

Reaction to: A Cloudy Forecast for Libraries by Marshall Breeding

Prior to this project, I was relatively unfamiliar with the concept of the cloud. I’d heard the phrase, but assumed that it primarily involved off-site electronic document storage. While this is one facet of the cloud, it goes far beyond this concept and is becoming an integral part of libraries and information management.

The cloud can be defined as remote servers networked and hosted online to process, store, and manage data. Like many organizations, libraries could benefit from making the transition to cloud computing for a variety of their digital needs. In fact, the author of this article believes that cloud computing will “radically transform” the technologies and operational needs of libraries. It’s important that libraries and organizations do their homework and transition to the cloud gradually.

Cloud computing will play a large role in contributing to library automation in the future. Before transitioning to the cloud, libraries should look at their current digital needs and estimate their storage usage. Initial costs for transitioning to cloud computing can be high, so libraries should be aware of their needs. A transition to cloud computing would allow for libraries to keep up-to-date with the changes and developments in technology in recent years. By embracing the need for change for in regards to electronic and digital materials, cloud computing for library automation systems supports a wider range of content.

As with many technologies, the transfer and transition to cloud computing requires patience. The author of this article, as well as other cloud computing experts, recommend a gradual transition over time. Although it will take time, the author believes eventually, cloud computing will be the norm for all libraries and local applications will generally be a thing of the past.

I will be interested to see how cloud computing takes off in the future, and how it will impact the library and information sciences profession. I’m curious how many libraries are in the process of making the transition, or how many already have. I’d also like to know if all libraries will eventually make the transition to cloud computing for automation purposes, or if some will continue to utilize widely local applications. Cloud computing could revolutionize the way libraries operate and could vastly change the daily operational needs of libraries in years to come.

Questions:

What are some advantages and disadvantages specific to libraries in switching to the cloud?

Will local applications always have a place in libraries? In what ways?

Reference:
Breeding, Marshall (2011). "A Cloudy Forecast for Libraries." Computers in Libraries. Retrieved from: http://www.infotoday.com/cilmag/sep11/Breeding.shtml. 

What is Cloud Computing?

Reaction to: 
What cloud computing really means by Eric Knorr, Galen Gruman
As cloud computing becomes more and more prevalent it is worth taking the time to understand what it is. I had a very basic understanding of cloud computing. Actually, the only thing I thought of when I heard cloud computing is people using a software application that's accessed online and with that a place to store the documents created. I've learned that there is more to cloud computing than just utilizing software and storage online. This article helped put cloud computing into a better focus from an IT viewpoint as, "a way to increase capacity or add capabilities on the fly without investing in new infrastructure, training new personnel, or licensing new software. Cloud computing encompasses any subscription-based or pay-per-use service that, in real time over the Internet, extends IT's existing capabilities." (Knorr & Grumam) 

There is SaaS, Software as a Service, like using Microsoft Office in the cloud. One product that millions have access to via the Internet. When it comes to managing information in companies that have large databases and need more space is where Utility computing can offer solutions. Companies like Amazon and IBM are offering storage and virtual servers to companies that can be accessed on demand. Web based services like Quick Books for accounting and payroll can be access with any computer that can hook to the Internet. PaaS, Platform as a Service, building applications that will run on the provider's servers and customers can access over the Internet. MSPs are managed service providers that work with a company's IT department for email virus scanning or cloud based anit-spam services. I think I knew about these aspects but didn't really think about them or how they worked, but now I have a better understanding.

Questions that come to mind.
How can cloud computing be a benefit to companies? In what ways?
Can utilizing the cloud help manage resources and information better than keeping that information locally at a company?
What are the risks involved with using the cloud for data management?


Reference:
Knorr, E. & Gruman, G. What cloud computing really means. InfoWorld.
Retrieved from
http://www.infoworld.com/d/cloud-computing/what-cloud-computing-really-means-031?page=0,0

Digital Forensics Impacted by Cloud Computing

Reaction to:

 Cloud Computing: Another Digital Forensic Challenge by John J. Barbara

With the growing popularity and use of cloud computing in businesses, the digital forensics field has to develop new methods for investigation. The main problem for businesses according to John J. Barbara, "The business or customer is not generally aware of the physical location of the data." This means that if there are problems with the site where the information is stored, businesses might not know how to recover their data, or data privacy could become compromised.

Although cloud computing makes it easier for companies to communicate and share information among employees, it becomes more difficult to make sure that the information is kept secure, because the information is somewhere else. If a company is undergoing investigate and their cloud is on server physically located outside the jurisdiction of the digital forensics team, it could cause issues. "Establishing a chain of custody for the data would become difficult or impossible if its integrity and authenticity cannot be fully determined" (Barbara, 2009). Just as businesses are struggling to keep up with their growing need to store data, forensic teams are struggling to implement new strategies for investigation. Legal implications arise as well. New laws may have to be enacted in order to allow digital forensic teams to have access to servers outside their jurisdiction.

Cloud computing while being very useful for businesses, is presenting challenges in other realms.

Things I wonder:

For what other fields might Cloud Computing cause challenges?
How quickly are laws being written to deal with digital material? Does it have a sense of urgency in law enforcement?
What should businesses consider when deciding to use cloud computing?

Citation:
Barbara, John J. (2009). "Cloud Computing: Another Digital Forensic Challenge." Forensics Magazine. Retrieved from: http://www.forensicmag.com/articles/2009/10/cloud-computing-another-digital-forensic-challenge

How does policy determine future management?

Better ascertaining what the future might bring in terms of information management might require a time-machine. As we “think-tank” about bibliotruckas, MakerSpaces, and solutions to social problems, it is timely to read about information policy. I’m finding the Braman article on “Defining Information Policy” to be defining when wrestling with management of information.

Other than the fact that information is valid, comprehensive, theoretically sound, methodologically operationalizable, and translatable; the aspects that are recognizable to me is that information involves creation, process, flow, access and use. When considering the future and management it is almost a concave/convex experience. One needs to be preserve the present as it becomes past for its relevance in the future.

Let me be a bit more concrete. The small academic library in which I’m employed has a special collection/archive which is bristling full of brittle papers of professionals who have contributed their lifetime collections to the school upon retirement. Everything! There’s old films, old class notes, published works, journals, personal papers, photos, etc. How to manage that into the future?  In this day and age, the answer seems easy – digitize. So management of future (present, past) information really is technical consideration of accessibility of digital content. Doesn’t really matter if you’re inside or outside of a library, does it?

Are you with me on this?

References

Braman, S. (2011). Defining Information Policy. Journal of Information Policy, vol. 1, pp.1-5.