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The Cloud

A simple word “cloud”, normally referring to white fluffy shapes in the sky. In the IT world however, cloud has come to mean all sorts of different things. If you do not know just what it means you are certainly not alone!
Broadly, “cloud” has come to mean doing some type of computing services offsite across an Internet connection. Just what those offsite services are has grown in scope. Cloud services or cloud computing can be anything from backup storage to an entire operational network with all network computing services offsite.
Some typical cloud services include:

  • Storage of backup and disaster recovery data sets or images
  • Hosted Email or full Exchange services
  • Hosted server - an operational server hosted in a shared virtual server environment
  • Hosted collaboration portal, intranet, environments
  • Office, SharePoint, Exchange Office 365 solutions
  • Server collocation - your physical server on a hosted environment
  • Full operational solutions with all computing services provided remotely

The scope of cloud computing is thus broad and growing constantly.
What are some of the pros and cons of cloud computing?
Pros:

  • Lower capital cost
  • Reduced maintenance costs
  • Possibly increased systems reliability
  • Reduce some security risks

Cons:

  • Ongoing monthly costs
  • At the mercy of internet connection - no connection nothing works
  • Some new security concerns
  • Bandwidth fees variable, can be costly
  • Less flexibility locally

Cloud computing offers new IT opportunities for businesses to consider. EBS offers consulting to help evaluate cloud approaches. EBS also offers a wide range of cloud computing solutions with rack and server capacity in a secure data center including hosted servers, colocation and backup and disaster recovery.

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Text to a Cell Phone from a PC

SMS messaging is not strictly limited to phones, computers can send text messages as well. Text messaging on phones is very similar to emailing on computers, it requires an address on a computer network to send and receive messages to and from other people, and is very compatible with the email system of PCs. Messages can be sent directly from your email software to any phone, given the correct information. To send an SMS message to a phone from your computer, simply type in the phone number as the name of the address, and the service provider’s email extension as the address to the right of the “@” symbol (for example, "phone number" @messaging.sprintpcs.com for Sprint phones, "phone number" @vtext.com for Verizon phones, and "phone number" @tmomail.net for T-Mobile phones). You can only send up to 160 characters, so remember to be brief with the message.
Look for Windows 8 Soon!

Windows 8 is just around the corner, and designed completely for the all new tablet computing environment. With a virtual keyboard that can be adjusted for typing with your thumbs and loads of other tablet-oriented features, this new operating system has the look and feel of a tablet device, with the functionality of a desktop computer. Windows 8 is projected to release in early 2012, so keep your eyes open for a whole new league of shiny tablets running this operating system in stores soon!
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