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Information Technology News Microsoft's Azure Cloud Computing isn't just blue sky
Information Technology News Microsoft's Azure Cloud Computing isn't just blue sky | Microsoft's Azure Cloud Computing isn't just blue sky |
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| by David M Williams | |
| Friday, 07 November 2008 | |
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Page 2 of 4 The client/server paradigm followed. Rather than favour one side of the equation work could be carried out on both ends. Microsoft brought out Windows Server, as well as other Server products, to match.Featured Whitepaper
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Advanced web apps exploit the power of client-side scripting coupled with server-side technologies - or simply use the web as a means of deploying purely client-side programs in Java, Flash, Silverlight, Air or other such languages and frameworks. However, even though there is an element of what has previously occurred I can see Steve's point. New languages, new deployment methods, new ways of coding were required for the web. You didn't simply write a program that worked on both the web and the desktop without modification. Oh, there was an attempt by Sun Microsystems to produce such a "write once, run everywhere" panacea but I suspect Microsoft would rather this incident wasn't brought up. Now, Microsoft didn't produce an operating system for the web but fortunately Steve's got me here; I'll extend his evolutionary step to not just be "the web" but "mobile platforms with an element of assumed network connectivity" and now Windows Mobile fits in nicely. No need to thank me, Steve. So that brings us to the modern day. We're now in a world where high-speed persistent Internet access can be largely assumed across a host of devices. Steve’s evolutionary label for this is “software plus services.” What's more, any individual can't be assumed to have just one device to their name. It's not unreasonable to have an ordinary person with a desktop computer, a business laptop, a smartphone, a games console, a media centre of some sort and possibly more. This average punter ought reasonably to desire transparency across all these devices such that they can access the same content. This is the concept driving cloud computing: online services which will allow you to create, file, search and share documents, mail, manage contacts, plus lots, lots more. All of this is online; only minimal expectation is made of the device in use. For the user it means they can work seamlessly on whichever device they fancy at the time without thought or care. Everything will just be available. Everything will work. What I've described is something that Google, among others but they are the most prominent, has been progressively pushing out. Indeed, it was rather telling that when Gianpaolo invited the audience to visit his web application the resulting visitor statistics showed Apple's iPhone easily outnumbered Windows Mobile devices in the auditorium. Part of the credit must be attributed to Apple's reputation for geek chic and style, but part must surely also be awarded to the nifty App Store, by which Apple easily aid developers and end users alike in enriching the iPhone experience. This leads us to another phenomenally successful occurrence which shares this attribute. Can you guess? CONTINUED |
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