1. USING THE CLOUD 1

2. WHAT IS CLOUD COMPUTING? Cloud computing means storing and accessing data and programs over the Internet instead of your computer's hard drive, thumb drive or external hard drive. 2

3. CLOUD & RVer BENEFITS Data available on any device, anywhere (assuming compatible apps on mobile) Good and easy backup strategy DOWNSIDES Requires (fast) Internet Connection Cellular data cost/large files, metered plans 3

4. CLOUD SPECIFICS CLOUD SOFTWARE Spreadsheet, word processor, etc provider by cloud server. Google Docs, Office365 CLOUD SERVICES Specialized software hosted in cloud/run on your browser. Evernote, Pocket, LastPass CLOUD STORAGE Offsite storage for files, pictures, etc Excellent for backup and sharing 4

5. WHICH CLOUD PROVIDER(S) CHOOSE A PROVIDER THAT WILL BE THERE FOR THE LONG TERM If company goes bankrupt, can you download your data in timely manner Companies like Microsoft, Apple, Google, Yahoo will likely be there for the long haul 5

6. CHOOSE A PROVIDER THAT HAS AFFORDABLE RATES Many offer free plans, but you may need more storage space. Balance cost with convenience and long-term viability. The company with free 100 GB may or may not be around for the long haul. 6

7. SOFTWARE VIA THE CLOUD Spreadsheets, documents, notes, etc Cloud is useful: If you don’t have the software program If you need to collaborate with others Track changes Software is always up-to-date Downsides Need internet connection Software may not be as powerful 7

8. CLOUD SOFTWARE EXAMPLES Google Documents Microsoft Office 365 Adobe CSS Photo/Video/Audio Benefits – always up to date, accessible on most devices, perhaps versioning, can be much less costly Downside – usually need internet, cost may be more than desktop software if you only need one copy 8

9. CLOUD STORAGE File Storage MS OneDrive (formerly Skydrive)* Box Dropbox Google Drive General file storage. Most providers encrypt your files stored in the cloud, but accessible to them. Consider encrypting yourself using Boxcryptor first. *Win8 users, see impt note later 9

10. CLOUD COMPARISON Free Sync History OCR PDF OneDrive 7GB # Yes No Box 10G # Yes No Dropbox 2GB # Yes No G Drive 15GB # Yes** Yes* # Sync capability varies *Only PDF created from scanner or camera, not software such as Word **Must be turned on Prices for additional storage dropping rapidly 10

11. CLOUD STORAGE BENEFITS Backup, Backup, Backup! Easy file sharing – public or private, by folder or by file Accessible on virtually and device – computer, tablet or smartphone – wherever you are. Don’t have to carry files with you. Save precious onboard storage space 11

12. SPECIALIZED CLOUD STORAGE PICTURES / VIDEO: Flickr, Shutterfly, Google Picasa/Google+ Easy way to backup and selectively share your photos and video All have ability to automatically save your pictures and video from your smartphone using cell data and/or wifi 12

13. SHUTTERFLY Unlimited photos jpg, jpeg only Selected video and audio formats Easy to order your pictures as a book, on a cup, etc. 13

14. FLICKR 1 TB total storage Max photo size 200MB Max Video size 1 GB jpg, gif, png – No RAW Various video and audio formats Android and iOS apps available 14

15. GOOGLE PICASA 15 GB shared with Drive, GMail and Google+ Numerous photo formats including RAW Many video and audio formats supported No official iOS or Android app, use Google+ 15

16. Google+ No storage limits for photos under 2048 pixels longest edge No storage limits for videos < 15 minutes 5 GB free for higher-res photos and longer videos All file types supported (may count in Google Drive 15GB free limit) Several auto enhancement features Android and iOS apps available 16

17. CLOUD SERVICES Powerful specialized programs or features that run on or are stored on cloud servers BROWSERS Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Opera, Internet Explorer (Win8 only) all have the ability to share bookmarks with same browser. Some can share tabs and additional data. Bookmarks and other data are shared via the cloud, tied to your account. 17

18. POCKET Interesting website/article, but no time to read now or phone screen too small? From your smartphone or your web browser (with the Pocket extension), save the site to Pocket. Use tags to help you group articles. Works on all platforms. 18

19. EVERNOTE, ONENOTE Premier services for multimedia notes Everything you need, instantly, available everywhere, any platform Search for anything, find it easily Both have OCR (pictures and scans only) OneNote is better Digital Notebook Evernote is the better Digital Filing Cabinet 19

20. EVERNOTE, ONENOTE Evernote has better third-party integration in iOS and Android OneNote is better integrated into Windows Evernote offers text/note encryption, also can have Reminders in Evernote Limited monthly uploads on Evernote, paid plan is $45/year ONE PLACE FOR ALL YOUR INFO! 20

21. *SPECIAL NOTE FOR MS ONEDRIVE This pertains to Windows 8 users only. OneDrive is tightly integrated into Windows 8 and it cannot be removed. OneDrive is the default location for storing your documents, pictures, etc. Files saved are in the OneDrive cloud AND on the computer that created them. They will NOT be on the hard drive of your other devices (unless you sync them) and therefor accessible by these other devices only when connected to the Internet. 21

22. IN SUMMARY Cloud computing offers many potential benefits, especially for data/picture backup and storage/easy access for all your data. You do not truly have a backup unless at least one copy is stored off-site. A disaster is likely to wipe out your computer AND your backup drive at your house or in your RV. 22