USING THE CLOUD

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WHAT IS CLOUD COMPUTING?

Cloud computing means storing and accessing data and programs over the Internet instead of your computer's hard drive, thumb drive or external hard drive.

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CLOUD & RVer

BENEFITS

Data available on any device, anywhere

(assuming compatible apps on mobile)

Good and easy backup strategy

DOWNSIDES

Requires (fast) Internet Connection

Cellular data cost/large files, metered plans

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CLOUD SPECIFICS

CLOUD SOFTWARE

Spreadsheet, word processor, etc provider by cloud server. Google Docs, Office365

CLOUD SERVICES

Specialized software hosted in cloud/run on your browser. Evernote, Pocket, LastPass

CLOUD STORAGE

Offsite storage for files, pictures, etc

Excellent for backup and sharing4

WHICH CLOUD PROVIDER(S)

CHOOSE A PROVIDER THAT WILL BE THERE FOR THE LONG TERM

If company goes bankrupt, can you download your data in timely manner

Companies like Microsoft, Apple, Google, Yahoo will likely be there for the long haul

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CHOOSE A PROVIDER THAT HAS

AFFORDABLE RATES

Many offer free plans, but you may need more storage space. Balance cost with convenience and long-term viability.

The company with free 100 GB may or may not be around for the long haul.

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SOFTWARE VIA THE CLOUDSpreadsheets, documents, notes, etcCloud is useful: If you don’t have the software program If you need to collaborate with others Track changes Software is always up-to-date Downsides Need internet connection Software may not be as powerful

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CLOUD SOFTWARE EXAMPLES

• Google Documents

• Microsoft Office 365

• Adobe CSS Photo/Video/Audio

• Benefits – always up to date, accessible on most devices, perhaps versioning, can be much less costly

• Downside – usually need internet, cost may be more than desktop software if you only need one copy

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CLOUD STORAGEFile Storage

MS OneDrive (formerly Skydrive)*

Box

Dropbox

Google Drive

General file storage. Most providers encrypt your files stored in the cloud, but accessible to them. Consider encrypting yourself using Boxcryptor first.

*Win8 users, see impt note later

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CLOUD COMPARISON

Free Sync History OCR PDFOneDrive 7GB # Yes NoBox 10G # Yes NoDropbox 2GB # Yes NoG Drive 15GB # Yes** Yes*# Sync capability varies*Only PDF created from scanner or camera, not

software such as Word**Must be turned onPrices for additional storage dropping rapidly

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CLOUD STORAGE BENEFITS

Backup, Backup, Backup!

Easy file sharing – public or private, by folder or by file

Accessible on virtually and device – computer, tablet or smartphone – wherever you are. Don’t have to carry files with you.

Save precious onboard storage space

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SPECIALIZED CLOUD STORAGE

PICTURES / VIDEO:

Flickr, Shutterfly, Google Picasa/Google+

Easy way to backup and selectively share your photos and video

All have ability to automatically save your pictures and video from your smartphone using cell data and/or wifi

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SHUTTERFLY

• Unlimited photos

• jpg, jpeg only

• Selected video and audio formats

• Easy to order your pictures as a book, on a cup, etc.

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FLICKR

• 1 TB total storage

• Max photo size 200MB

• Max Video size 1 GB

• jpg, gif, png – No RAW

• Various video and audio formats

• Android and iOS apps available

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GOOGLE PICASA

• 15 GB shared with Drive, GMail and Google+

• Numerous photo formats including RAW

• Many video and audio formats supported

• No official iOS or Android app, use Google+

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Google+

• No storage limits for photos under 2048 pixels longest edge

• No storage limits for videos < 15 minutes• 5 GB free for higher-res photos and longer

videos• All file types supported (may count in

Google Drive 15GB free limit)• Several auto enhancement features• Android and iOS apps available

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CLOUD SERVICESPowerful specialized programs or features that run on or are stored on cloud servers

BROWSERS

Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Opera, Internet Explorer (Win8 only) all have the ability to share bookmarks with same browser. Some can share tabs and additional data.

Bookmarks and other data are shared via the cloud, tied to your account.

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POCKETInteresting website/article, but no time to read now or phone screen too small?

From your smartphone or your web browser (with the Pocket extension), save the site to Pocket. Use tags to help you group articles.

Works on all platforms.

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EVERNOTE, ONENOTEPremier services for multimedia notes

Everything you need, instantly, available everywhere, any platform

Search for anything, find it easily

Both have OCR (pictures and scans only)

OneNote is better Digital Notebook

Evernote is the better Digital Filing Cabinet

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EVERNOTE, ONENOTE

Evernote has better third-party integration in iOS and Android

OneNote is better integrated into Windows

Evernote offers text/note encryption, also can have Reminders in Evernote

Limited monthly uploads on Evernote, paid plan is $45/year

ONE PLACE FOR ALL YOUR INFO!

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*SPECIAL NOTE FOR MS ONEDRIVE

This pertains to Windows 8 users only.

OneDrive is tightly integrated into Windows 8 and it cannot be removed.

OneDrive is the default location for storing your documents, pictures, etc.

Files saved are in the OneDrive cloud AND on the computer that created them. They will NOT be on the hard drive of your other devices (unless you sync them) and therefor accessible by these other devices only when connected to the Internet.

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IN SUMMARY

Cloud computing offers many potential benefits, especially for data/picture backup and storage/easy access for all your data.

You do not truly have a backup unless at least one copy is stored off-site. A disaster is likely to wipe out your computer AND your backup drive at your house or in your RV.

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