Dawn of the age of web-based PCs

Cloud computing did receive a major shot in the arm with Google announcing that its Chrome-based operating system (OS) will be ready by the first half of 2010, but what may have gone relatively unnoticed is that many companies other than the internet search giant are promising to change the computing paradigm with web-based operating systems. A metaphor for the internet, cloud computing stores data and applications on the internet. Most of us who use web-based email services like Gmail, Yahoomail or Windows Live (Hotmail) or have watched a video online or shared snaps using photo-hosting services like flickr or snapfish or read news online or watch TV shows on the internet are using ‘cloud computing’ services without realising it.

Cloud computing, though, is old wine but well-packaged in a new bottle. What was known as mainframe time-sharing in the 60s is also being called ‘utility’ computing, and what was being touted as an application service provider (ASP) model is now known as SaaS. It’s gathering momentum since the number of applications and the amount of content in the cloud now available to both consumers and corporations have grown to a critical mass, reason consulting firm Booz & Company analysts. Gartner says worldwide service cloud revenue is expected to reach $150.1 billion in 2013.

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