Essay on Cloud Computing and Related Interviews from Ideas Project

Not even five years ago, a majority of the applications and programs I was using on my computer were run from and stored on its internal hard drive. Programs like Microsoft Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Kodak Easyshare for picture management and even email clients like Microsoft Outlook were all staples of my computing experience. Each one of these programs was purchased and came with a key allowing it to only be operated on only one computer, in one location. Luckily, today things operate a bit differently. Now when I want to write a paper or create a spreadsheet I get on Google Docs to do it. When I want to manage or upload my photos I log on to Flickr and there they are. If I need to develop a presentation I pull up Sliderocket from anyplace I can find that has an Internet connection and I’m in business. This wonderfully efficient, new way of doing things free from the cumbersome restraints of the notion that location is relevant is made possible entirely by the power of cloud computing. Cloud computing is a technology that is changing the way the world works by using the Internet as a platform for the operation of applications, as well as a place for the storage of information. Rather than purchasing, installing and owning applications that live in your own personal space, companies now provide the services these programs perform but they live in the cloud, or the server instead. This allows you to not only access the services anywhere you want but also provides security for your content because it’s backed up on the server.  

When I ran into some trouble getting any feedback from my interviews, I revisited a site I have previously posted on to get the information I needed.  The site is IdeasProject.com and it brings together some of the most influential and creative minds in the world on communication technology through a host of different media such as video clips, links, podcasts, presentations and articles. The following two interviews are from the Ideas Project site with Ron Conway, Special Partner at Baseline Ventures and Carl Hewitt, Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT.  Here they are:

Ron Conway on cloud computing

Carl Hewitt on location independent computing

I think one of the most striking points made in either of the interviews was Conway’s statement that it doesn’t matter what kind of computer you have, you can have all the computing power in the world as long as you’ve got a browser.  By running everything from the cloud, it just creates so much more freedom with how you are able to interact with your applications.  Also, as he mentioned in one of his responses, you really have to look at the impact this technology will have internationally to truly and fully comprehend the totality of its affect.  By giving poverty stricken, developing countries the technology to connect themselves with the rest of the world, we can give them the ability to immensely and rapidly improve their infrastructure, healthcare, government and economies.  Though, the notion of cloud computing is by itself, extremely interesting, the fact that it could finally actually connect the entire world as we know it falls under the category of astounding.

Filed under: Social Networks, Technology, cloud computing, Flickr, Ideas Project, Sliderocket, social media, social networking

Facebook Backtracks Terms of Service

After several days of backlash against their poorly communicated change in terms of service, Facebook has rightfully bitten the bullet and gone back to their old terms.  With only a meager 6 percent of their users actually in support of the change according to a poll taken earlier this morning, they’ve decided to go with the public opinion and backtrack to their terms of old.  Only days after he had defended the switch, CEO and founder Mark Zuckerberg issued this statement revealing the change back to previous terms on his blog this morning.  In light of their initial, total disregard of user’s trust, I (along with a most everyone else) feel like this is the right thing for Facebook to do and I am pleased with the way they’ve handled this unecessary situation.

Filed under: Social Networks, Facebook, privacy

The Struggle to Monetize Social Networks

The only real problem that has somewhat stunted the grow of social networking sites in their recent rise to prominence has been their inability to support efficient advertising and in turn monetize their platform for what it’s worth.  The traditional, flashy, shove-it-in-your-face banner ad model of the old web has proven it simply does not work with these networks.  This leaves advertisers with the conundrum of how to sufficiently reach their audience through these highly prevalent networks but also creates a dilemma for the social networks in finding ways to monetize their work and fund their operations.

I read an article this morning by Steven Hodson of Inquisitr.com that made a great point about this ongoing struggle with the monetization of social networking.  It used Twitter as an example basically saying that Twitter has amassed a “treasure trove of information” that provides real-time opinions on anything you could ask for.  It is his opinion, and I tend to agree, that the true “monetary” value of Twitter and most other social networks for that matter, lies in that database of consumer opinion and interaction they base themselves on.  This notion is made even more evident by Facebook’s recent alteration of their bylaws which now grants them total ownership and control of any content ever posted on the site.  Which I basically feel is complete bullshit but necessary for Facebook Connect to operate freely without restrictions from the law. 

(Here are several other links on that subject, if you’re interested, that will delve much deeper into the situation than I did.) 

Chris Brogan: Wake up to how you share on the web

Facebook TOS Switcheroo

Ironically a Facebook group against the new Terms of Service

Though, Twitter’s most valuable characteristic lies in the fact that its information is in real-time, all social networks boast their own bevy of niche data and specialty information that could potentially be utilized to marketers’ delights.  Orkut (Brazil), Mixi (Japan) and Bebo (U.K.) are just a few of the social networks that offer information about people and cultures in different geographic regions, just as Facebook and Myspace represent ours.  Digg, Vimeo, Boxee, Youtube and Viddler are all examples of social video sites that offer invaluable insight they way people watch video and what they think is interesting.  Songza, Last.fm and Just Hear It do the same for music.  All of these site provide a user-friendly, interactive approach to experiencing and connecting with our media and friends.  For advertising to succeed in this social model, it needs to take the same user-friendly, interactive approach by making engaging and informative ads, as well as becoming involved in the conversation with their consumers.

Filed under: Social Networks, Facebook, interactive advertising, marketing, monetization, social media, Social Networks, Twitter

Facebook Advertising Experiment

I ran across this link earlier today and found these student’s particular presentation to be very interesting. At the very least, it gives you an idea of how to approach advertising on a social networking site like Facebook and get a good response out of your investment.

Interactive Media Rejects Facebook advertising experiment

Filed under: Social Networks

A Social Network for Innovative “Ideas”

When I initially read this PRweb.com release on author and editor Chris Anderson’s thoughts about new business models being based on the concept of free goods and services, I had planned on writing my post about it. But as I continued the article, I began to realize that the website where he originally posted his idea, ideasproject.com, was actually just as interesting itself (if not more so) than the “free” business model concept presented by Anderson.

The Ideas Project was created by Nokia as a platform for the diffusion of  innovative thinking across all genres. It offers an environment in which many of the most brilliant minds in the world can come together and interact with one another. People such as Anderson, science fiction author Verner Vinge, MIT professor Carl Hewitt and many CEO’s of successful companies are connected by their ideas through the Ideas Project. I feel like the most important feature of the project, though, is the level of user interaction it allows and encourages with these industry leaders.  Not only can users comment on any blog entry or video posted but they can also post their own ideas and theories.

I think the Ideas Project represents a wonderful model and basis for how advertising should operate in the future. It’s like one giant focus group where people can interact, toss around ideas and make their opinions known. This is basically an advertiser’s dream because it gives them the ability to directly converse with their consumers.

Filed under: Social Networks, advertising, Chris Anderson, consumer interaction, Ideas Project, new business model