Cloud Storage
Cloud computing is the most advanced form of computer storage, though it is not the most recent. This form of computing was created by Dr. Joseph Carl Robnett Licklider through his research and development on the Advanced Research Project Agency Network, otherwise known as ARPANet in the 1960s. The purpose of cloud computing was to create a way for multiple people to remotely use the same computer at the same time. This was made possible by The technology began to be offered by CompuServe, an American software company, in the 1980s, but didn’t really become popular until it was offered by AT&T in the 90s through their Personalink services, which allowed mobile devices to connect to the news, email, etc. through the AT&T network. The service was ultimately outdone once computers, laptops, and other devices were able to connect to the internet on their own over wifi.
It wasn’t until 2006 that there was a massive shift of people moving to cloud storage. This was largely due to Amazon Web Services offering the technology to members. Amazon became the first of many to offer cloud services and it has since become quite an expansive market. The cloud is not just used for collaborative projects anymore, but to store documents, pictures, music, and often entire devices.
There are three different types of cloud storage: personal, public, and private. These three types are all determined by the type of use necessary. Personal would be used on an individual level, while public and private are both ideal methods for businesses. The difference between private and public determines how much a company pays to store information, and often the level of security afforded to the user.
Cloud storage is the most ideal form of data storage because it allows access to computer files from just about anywhere in the world as long as there is a stable internet connection without sacrificing the quality of the data or risking corruption.
Farris, Chelsey. 2019. “History of Cloud Storage.” Capacity. https://capacity.com/cloud-storage/history-of-cloud-storage/.
Frankenfield, Jake. 2021. “Cloud Storage.” Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/cloud-storage.asp.