Method 3

I have logged into Zoho using my gmail account. I will try this, and see if it is better than Google Docs, which I did not like too much, but don't remember why.

Lesson 3: Thoughts on Cloud Computing [written using Zoho Writer]
I am slowly grasping the concept of cloud computing. Much of what is done with a pc can be done by accessing different online programs and doing and completing work via those programs. Word Processing can be achieved with programs such as Google Docs, Zoho Writer, or some other like program. The documents don’t even need to be stored on the pc but can be stored on an offline server, housed who knows where in some part of the world. Personal E-mail, such as that stored in Yahoo mail, was probably among the first applications to be a part of the cloud computing concept. [Thoughts in this paragraph are incomplete. I should think them out more carefully and then rewrite them, but I probably won’t.]

One of the responses to Could You Live in the Clouds said, "If it's on my system, I'm responsible for it and keeping it private, safe and available. If it's on Google's or Microsoft's systems, who's responsible for it? Not that these companies would let my data out in the public, but who can be sure? What happens when the cloud begins costing? Are you willing to pay the price; and can you get your information off if you can't afford it?" These are good questions to be asking, although the answers probably won't become apparent for many years. Only as people, over time, make use of the processes that make up "cloud computing" will more of the problems and positive aspects come to light. Many years ago, I believe it was pre-web Internet, a man gave a talk on what the Internet at the time contained and how it could best be used. He stated in the talk that the information found on the Internet would always be free and available to everyone. As it turned out, that is not the case. But it took several years from the time he made that statement for individuals and entities to start charging for their web information. So who knows what Cloud Computing will look like in a few years. Paying for the right to store files, pictures, e-mail, documents, etc, and other features of Cloud Computing isn't necessarily a bad thing, if there are only a few negative downsides. But it will be interesting to see how it all plays out in a few years.

As for uses in libraries, I don't have enough of a grasp of it all and haven't used the resources enough yet to see the larger picture of how it would be used in libraries on a large scale. In our library, when someone comes in to use the computer for online access, one of the options besides Interent is access to Microsoft Word for those needing a word processor. Online usage is restricted to a limit of an hour per day, which is often not enough time for someone to complete what they are writing. Showing them how to access Google Docs or Zoho Writer would be very helpful for library patrons such as these.

I am trying Zoho Sheet spreadsheet program to keep track of a schedule of events I want to attend. What I am doing is pretty basic, and so far no problems.