Cloud computing – from the ground

I have been following cloud computing for quite some time, I read about it, or watch Cloud Computing conferences on you-tube in an attempt to gain some insight into it from the common man’s point of view. Numerous google search, (and now Cuil search) lead me to detailed documentations and presentations on the architecture of Cloud computing. Ok, now that I have searched, and researched, do I feel any wiser now ? I guess not, these searches and documents took me deeper and deeper into the labyrinth of cloud computing principles and continued to emphasis on being the “next big thing” in all its technical mumbo-jumbo.

I don’t claim to be an expert in PHP, JS, or XML. ( hey !… don’t even think about HTML, every kid out of a computer crash course is an HTML expert). But nevertheless, I do understand the logistics involved in client-server applications. From what I gather, simply put Cloud computing is about requesting “x=2” from a data center in Timbuktu, presenting this data to a server in order to compute “x+5 = 2+5” located in Barcelona and I may be placing this request from Uganda. All the HTML – PHP-SQL –XML- HTML talk happens in the cloud, and I finally get to see the result in my browser.

I agree it is unfair to oversimplify a technology such as Cloud Computing, but, the point is, it is enough if your device ( It is no longer PC, or laptop, or iPhone ) has a browser and allows you to connect to the internet. But isn’t this something similar to web-based applications such as Google Docs , Zoho Suite , ClientSpot, QuickBooksOnline etc?. The application is stored online. There is no need for us to download or install. The data is also stored online. All one needs is a browser, internet connection and of course, the key-pad in order to call these apps and generate data. But doesn’t this sound like SaaS (Software as a Service). May be there is some difference in their architecture.

The whole idea seems to be built around the principle that every electronic device will stay connected to the internet at all times. But will the future see this connectivity as a matter of choice or as a pre-requisite to use the device? This scenario reminds me of vista. Microsoft has stopped XP , pre-loaded Vista in all new computers and vista sucks. So, is there a choice for those like us on the ground?