Cloud Computing for Home Users: Defining the Home Cloud

With all the different cloud definitions it is easy to get confused about what a cloud is. The truth of the matter is that a cloud is no more than just a giant computer. Different cloud providers, such as Google and Microsoft both have giant computers that they call their cloud. And they let you use their giant computers for a monthly subscription fee or in many cases, for free.

More precisely, Google and Microsoft as well as other cloud providers, have more than one giant computer for you. Google Home, for instance, is a giant computer (or cloud), that has special software that is designed for home users. Google Home lets you make phone calls and lets you search for information through voice command.  This software is all accessed when you give a voice command to your Google Home device. The Google Home Cloud can also be accessed through your cell phone, that is if you have downloaded the Google Home app to your cell phone. 

Different cloud providers, provide different types of clouds, which for the more tech savvy, may be called computer platforms or computer networks, or distributed processing platforms. These different clouds are designed for different types of people with different needs. The Google Home cloud has been designed for the home. It was designed to meet the computer needs of people when they are at home.  Another popular cloud, called the Creative Cloud (from Adobe Systems) has been designed for artists, graphic designers and all-things multimedia including video films. When you sign up for the Adobe Cloud, you gain access to all of Adobe's software as well as Adobe's giant computer.

There are also general-purpose clouds. These clouds are designed for the business needs of corporations. Corporations require advanced business software and in many cases, super giant sized computers. These super giant computers, which can also be called supercomputers, may be called onto to process millions of sales transactions every day or monitor business activity from every corner of the world, every minute of the day. 

As the cloud concept progresses, expect to see clouds for every type of profession and activity. For example, for emergency situations, emergency workers access Emergency Clouds. These Emergency Clouds store emergency data, and have emergency analysis software on them. Emergency workers access Emergency Clouds through their cell phones or through their lap tops.

Clouds often work together with other clouds. For example, a Home Cloud, at times, in an emergency, may need to access the data in an Emergency Cloud. Or, an Emergency Cloud, may want to send out information to Googles Home Cloud. Google's Home Cloud in turn could alert all its subscribers about emergency information they need to know.