The Sun Microsystems is also launching their own Cloud Computing services soon, joining other companies that offer the future of online storage services. The well known company such as Amazon, Google and Microsoft already serving customers with their own cloud computing services. 

On May 14 around 10:30am -11am I can't login to my Google Apps for @KING.NET and cant't access to my blogger page which is also powered by Google. I guess I relied too much in google with my small business infrastructure. I am using Google Apps for email, docs, calendar, and I also use blogspot for my blogs. Just like an old adage, don't put all your eggs in one basket. I hope I got it right.

I have some readers asking more information about Cloud Computing and what I recommend. I personally tested Mozy.com for my home workstation (a laptop) because they offer free for 2GB (read the test here) personal and non-profit. The capacity is enough to cover my project files and if this is not enough, you can upgrade to unlimited for $4.95 per month only.

I can't compare and test other Cloud Computing services out there because of upfront fees involve. They don't have a free account where you can test it before you use it. If you know other Cloud Computing services not listed here, please let me know so I can take a look. I'm hoping Google, Yahoo or Microsost will offer backup service soon.

And if you are using a similar service, please share your experience with us.

By the way, if you use Mozy for personal or non-profit use you might be able to increase your allocated free space by recommending their service to other users. Cool huh!

Thank you,
KING.NET

This is a continuation of cloud computing blog that was posted here.

To test drive cloud computing services, I need to open an account. To find out if this is good for my personal online backup or for business use only. I need to have an account but I don't need to spend money ($) for evaluation. This is the only reason, I started using Mozy.com free version for my test drive.

I registered and created my account. I have to fill up a simple registration process e.g. entering my email address, type in my password, year of birth and answer few survey questions. Check your email for confirmation, click the link to confirm and ready to download the software to your workstation.

I go to my temp folder, where I downloaded the file for my Vista workstation. Double click on the exe file and click run to install the program to your workstation. It will take a few minutes to complete the install. I continue to click accepting the default install. Click on Finish to launch Mozyhome Configuration Wizard.

You will see a new icon in your status bar. In my laptop, this icon (orange gray color) is located in right-hand corner. Double click on the icon to execute MozyHome Remote Backup. It will prompt that you haven't configure your backup.

Configuration:
- In MozyHome Remote Backup Configuration, click configure.
- Enter your username (email address) and your password.
- Then click Next and wait.
- Choose the encryption key, use Blowfish Key as recommended. Personal Note: The use of encryption is to secure your data.
- Click on Next to continue.
- MozyHome has scanned my computer and recommended to backup my IE Favorites, My Documents, Photos and Images, and Word Processing Documents. I have no way of changing the selection, maybe for the pro version.
- Click on Next to continue.
- Click Start Test.
- Congratulations. Your broadband is fast enough to support remote backup.
- Click Next
- You have the option to calibrate your MozyHome. This is great managing your workstation CPU process. If you don't know about it, just accept default.
- Start your initial backup.

It will automatically backup your workstation if it has been idle for 20 minutes. The restore is can be done through Client Restore, Virtual Drive or Right-Click Restore.

My initial files to backup is only 23Mb.

The tool is really great to have, ready to go for your online backup. Get your free account first here at Mozy.com

Questions un-answer:
- How do you synchronize your data?
- If I have one picture to share, is it possible to use a URL address?

So far so good .. check it out.

I know on top my head Microsoft Live and Google provides software as a service (SaaS) to the public. I am using Google Applications services for my email, calendar, and sharing documents on the fly. Meaning I can share any documents (word, excel and powerpoint) to any users that has email address which almost everybody has one. They can view or edit the document through their web browser in real-time, no need to save on their workstation. This is perfect to anyone always on the go, not leaving any documents in your home pc for later access.

I haven't use Microsoft Live service, I have no idea how this work (maybe one of our readers will share their experience). So, I will introduce Google Apps to you which I am using since beta release. I'm saving my documents, word, excel and powerpoint presentation using my own email address @KING.NET. Sharing these documents to anyone in the world for review or corrections. I can easily remove permission when we finalized the documents. The email services come with powerful anti-spam and anti-virus tools that will protect your communication to your clients. Your email and attachement you send or received are protected 24x7 every hour, every minute. The online calendar is a plus to have in my Google Apps and best of all, it is a FREE service. You don't have to pay monthly recurring fee to use email. You save costs in your IT overhead. If you still not convince, head out to Google Apps website and read more for details.

Read Outsource your Email here for additional article to read.



What other cloud computing services available today?

Amazon.com - http://ews.amazon.com/s3 or Amazon Simple Storage Service

"Amazon S3 provides a simple web services interface that can be used to store and retrieve any amount of data, at any time, from anywhere on the web. It gives any developer access tot he same highly scalable, reliable, fast, inexpensive data storage infrastructure that Amazon uses to run its own global network of web sites. The service aims to maximize benefits of scale and to pass those benefits on to developers." (2009, Amazon.com)

If you are confuse on how they charge their customers, use the AWS Simply Monthly Calculator to get you an estimate.

Mozy.com offer $4.95 per month unlimited backup for personal and non-commercial use. For business use, you need to use the mozypro service. I also recommend that you check the 2GB of 100% free backup space before you decide if the service is right for you. You don't need your credit card to sign-up.

Joyent.com - Scale on demand. Your web infrastructure can be dynamically expanded or reduced within minutes. Offers open protocols, open source solutions, larget Open Solaris installation in the world. Ideals for PHP, Ruby, Python and Java applications. Real static IP Address, real storage and 10TB monthly data transfer. Starting at $45 per month to run your web applications.

ThePlanet.com just announced this week (March 24, 2009) that they are now offering cloud storage solutions. According to the email I've received from them. They are faster transfer speeds more than twice as fast as Amazon S3 and simplier pricing. They have to emphasize simplier pricing as they probably notice it from Amazon S3. I have problem of understanding the pricing of Amazon S3 cloud computing solutions when I checked their service.

The only truly global cloud, while most cloud storage is based in one or two locations. The Planet gives you the security of global infrastructure minimizing the risks of outages to your business.

If you knew or currently using cloud storage solutions, please share your experience with us. Thank you in advance.