Reviews for Cloud Computing: Web-Based Applications That Change the Way You Work and Collaborate Online

1. A Good Basic Book

   Rated 5 out of 5 stars, March 12th, 2010

   I have an interest in Cloud Computing and particularly it's use in Education and I wanted to take this further. I feel that this book provides a good basic introduction to Cloud Computing and covers every aspect in just enough detail for those wanting to know more. It is comprehensive and laid out in easy steps. I agree with a previous user that there are a large number of links set out in this book but I found this very helpful as I was unaware of these websites being available. I also agree with a previous reviewer that much of this information can be found using a google search. However, the idea of using a book is that all the information is in one place and readily available. I personally found this book to be clear and helpful, and feel it will give me a stepping stone to take things further.

2. Just a collection of links

   Rated 2 out of 5 stars, February 12rd, 2010

   I bought this book because I wanted to know more about Cloud Computing in detail. I thought this book would give me a bit more insight to the internals of cloud computing.
   To my disappointment, the author seems to have done a lot of Google searches about different web applications, and listed them in the book. As an example... he has a section on collaborating on word documents. This whole chapter is mainly made up of: you could use Zoho Writer and it can be found at this web address... or you could use Google Docs, which can be found here, etc. To be honest, I don't have to buy a book to find these applications, a simple Google search would reveal them to me just as well.
   I was really disappointed by this book. It might be useful to someone who is computer-illiterate and needs spelling out the obvious things, but it was not for me.
   However, it is a nice looking book, good quality and nice printing.

3. Practical introduction to cloud computing

   Rated 5 out of 5 stars, September 12st, 2009

   In the information technology world, the clouds keep rolling in. But this is hardly a cause for concern. These "clouds" are not threatening thunderheads but Web-based applications and services, accessible from any Internet connection. For instance, many businesses today use Salesforce for customer relationship management and many people use Gmail. In either case, users access these applications through a Web browser, such as Internet Explorer or Firefox. However, the users' data (customer names, e-mails and so on) isn't stored on their computers but "in the cloud," the technical term - or geek-speak - for "somewhere on the Internet." Some applications target the consumer, some target the business user and some target the software developer. Whoever the targeted users are, cloud-based applications and similar technologies are the next big trend in IT and getAbstract assures you that Michael Miller's brief, basic and very enthusiastic guide will help you understand them even if you are a novice. Sometimes it's useful to have your head in the clouds.

4. A good overview of an emerging field and some of its major players at the time

   Rated 4 out of 5 stars, May 12th, 2009

   At the time of initially coming across this book I was experiencing problems finding materials on cloud computing and the potential changes that it was going to make to the typical persons current computing experience which as an IT professional I have a vested interest in. After reviewing its contents however, I initially dismissed it as being too consumer orientated when I was looking for something from a more corporate/enterprise viewpoint.
   
   Upon taking another look, however - books on this topic only recently becoming more prevalent, the author's approachable writing style is welcome throughout and generally provides a sound summary of the benefits and considerations of the resources available from the associated providers from the perspective of individuals/community groups/corporations. The exception to this being in the chapters under the section entitled "Cloud Computing for Everyone" where their structure obviously copied from one to another with only the keyword being changed makes for somewhat tedious reading for anyone wishing to obtain a comprehensive understanding.
   
   Of more significance (particularly in hindsight) under the chapter discussing social networking is a complete omission of twitter, which at the time of publication was already on its way to reaching critical mass.
   
   As per the nature of the subject matter the landscape has and is rapidly changing but this book provides a useful starting point without getting bogged down in the technology itself.

5. Clear picture with practical applications

   Rated 3 out of 5 stars, April 12th, 2009

   This book provides the reader with a clear and simple view of cloud computing and its practical applications. However, from a point and on it repeats that same could collaboration scenarios within a family, social group and corporation wasting paper and time to read the same ideas. Its practical perspective is fun but its last part "outside the cloud" is useless, everybody knows nowadays the role of email and social networks. I recomend this book for a beginner in the field but for someone with more advance knowledge is a waste of time.