Friends. I’d love to hear your thoughts on The Cloud. Windows Live asked me to write about how technology helps make my parenting life easier, and the cloud is the first thing I thought of.
What is the cloud? That real-but-seems-imaginary internet place where these days, the information of my entire life lives. I’m clearly a big fan of the cloud. When I want to make a list (I adore lists!), I start in the cloud. When Ben Blair needs to see the list I made, he goes to the cloud too — from his own computer. When we are on an errand and forget something that was on the list, we access the cloud from our phones.
How did I function before the cloud? I can’t even remember.
My favorite document on the cloud contains all the bits of information I need to reference frequently, but haven’t memorized. The kids shoe sizes. Christmas wish lists. Notes on when the next ice skating session begins. Wherever I am, if there’s access to the internet, the info is with me. Because it doesn’t live on any one phone/laptop/computer — it lives in the cloud. When I see a pair of darling toddler shoes, I simply check my handy shoe size document to see if I’ve got the right fit.
Last December, we even moved our Christmas card mailing list to the cloud. Best decision ever. All year long, we’ve updated the list with new or changed information. Either one of us can do it from any computer in the house. Now the list is ready to go for this year. Easy peasy.
What about you? Are you a cloud user? Or are you more comfortable on the ground?
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Thanks to Windows 7 and Windows Live for sponsoring this post and giving me a great excuse to talk about ways to make parenting easier — it’s one of my favorite topics! You can click here if you’d like to learn more about the power of the cloud and what it can do for you.
{ 41 comments… read them below or add one }
I think I am feeling right now how my parents feel when my husband talks about twitter. I am only32 and definitely hip in my own mind, so why haven’t I ever heard of said cloud before? Can I continue to live without it? I followed the link and am embarking on research. So, how do I feel about the cloud? I’ll be getting back to you on that one.
Hah! I love your comment, Rian. Sorry if I didn’t explain very well — but the cloud is kind of hard to explain. If you use a service like delicious.com (it’s where I keep all my internet bookmarks), that you can access from any computer, than that means you’re using the Cloud.
Another example would be companies offering services to backup your website or your photos online. They don’t mail you a harddrive, they just upload your images and store them in “the cloud” and you can access them wherever you are.
off to the clouds…
Have fun, Sherri. : )
Oh My Gosh. I think they invented this specifically for me and have just forgotten to tell me about it. I am the queen of lists and post its. I have my cousins kids shoe sizes jotted down somewhere for goodness sakes. My husband thinks I live in the clouds anyway so off I go to investigate about making it legit. Thanks for such a great introduction!
I hope you like what you find, Jeanette.
Oh my… so out of the cloud … I feel like you are speaking Chinese to me…
(something we said in my country when we don’t have any idea what are you talking about)
Guess, I’m going to be more proactive about learning about new technology… thanks for the info!
I’m probably just using the wrong terminology, Marta. I’d guess that 75% of people who read and comment on blogs are also probably using some kind of cloud-related service. Maybe you are and you don’t even know it. Fun!
I think the cloud really hasn’t really gained traction as a word in mainstream… but I have to say that I can only run my business (and hire other moms) because of the cloud. I collaborate with moms all over the country (most of whom I’ve never met) and the cloud let’s us share info as if we are in the same office. The cloud also cuts way down on my software costs as a small business owner.
Good point, Clare. I wonder what word I should be using instead. I can’t quite tell.
But I’m the same as you. I also collaborate with people in all sorts of locations thanks to the cloud.
this sounds awesome! i will have to check it out. i’ve been trying to figure out how to do exactly this!
Definitely check it out, April. It helps me every day!
I’m putting more and more on the Cloud, but it still scares me that somehow it might get lost… Which is silly, since those servers have all manner of backup and my computer could get water spilled on it and lose everything (a crash last year lost all my daughter’s pictures from 3-6 months old). But I’ve always been someone who likes to have my possessions within arm’s reach. :-) This does not lead to a very simplifed, un-cluttered existence. :-P
Hah! I so relate to your comment, Margaret.
There sure have been a lot of sponsored posts recently!
It’s true, Allie. From mid-November to mid-December it’s a little nuts with the sponsored/underwritten/giveaway/whatever posts. And then in January, there’s almost nothing scheduled but typical once-a-week giveaways.
I’m always experimenting on Design Mom and seeing what works, but I’m thinking this is more sponsorship than I prefer. Happily, in every case, the posts are things I would want to write about anyway — like gift guides — and I always have complete creative and content control.
What do you think? Too much or too little or just the right amount?
Yes, that good. I think it’s just more noticeable right now because they have been major sponsors… it’s different when a little etsy shop does a giveaway than when ebay, True Value, Windows, Pier 1, etc. do multiple sponsored posts. I have actually really enjoyed the True Value series since the projects were really cool, but all at once I sort of felt a little too advertised at. Still a loyal reader! Thanks for all your hard work!
I unfortunately agree with what Allie says. Gabrielle, I love, love, love how straightforward and open you are about what content is sponsored, and I love that your sponsored posts maintain the same tone as your non-sponsored content. But I miss the non-sponsored stuff — it feels like it’s been a little more rare of late. Of course, I don’t have a blog and I don’t even pretend to understand the economics of running one, especially one as widely-read and informative as Design Mom. And I don’t mean to be critical — I have definitely read and enjoyed your sponsored posts. I think Allie gets it right when she said it seemed to increase in volume all at once.
All that said, I could totally use a smart phone so I could try some of that cloud stuff. (Right? Smart phones are cloud-enabled, right?) Sheesh, I think I’m stuck, technologically-speaking, in 2002.
I noticed the increase in sponsored posts, but figured it was due to companies wanting to advertise for the holidays. Honestly, it doesn’t bother me too much. Maybe if it was at this rate all year long it would get old, but you manage it well in the way you give us your perspective, and let us know. Plus it’s not like you can have such awesome giveaways for nothing! :) I say trust your instincts. We read your blog to hear what you think. Even if someone sponsored you to give that opinion. (I totally trust that you wouldn’t tell us you loved product X if you didn’t!)
My husband totally wants me to be more in “the cloud.” He’s all over googledocs and whatnot . . . not me, I’m a pen and paper type of gal! Don’t get me wrong, I love my computer . . . but I’m also one of those paranoid “what if it gets lots” type of people. I can’t completely convert over. I really do just like my calendar/planner and a pen. I know, I’m totally outdated and old fashioned. But what can I say? I’m a traditionalist.
I hear that, Julia. Sometimes there’s no replacement for paper and pen. I don’t think you’re old fashioned at all.
*sigh* this post is tré upsetting to an avid MobileMe user (& i work @ apple) from which Windows clearly stole this. not a fan. of the cloud i meant not of you. HUGE fan of you. just… not this post haha #epicsad
That is super interesting, Joanna. I am an Apple user as well, but I have never tried Mobile Me and don’t know much about it. I was guessing Google was more of the product competitor for Windows Live — Mobile Me hadn’t even crossed my mind. It must be so fascinating to watch all these developments while working at Apple.
Thanks for being a fan! So sorry to upset you.
Oh my I may start gushing. It’s AMAZING! it uses what you already have (macs, iPhones, iPod touches) and makes them BETTER. I won’t ruin your sponsored post but seriously… It’s awesome look into it :)
I have to check that out…thanks again for all that you’re doing on this site…I love it!
You’re welcome, Freida! Thanks for reading.
I heard about it recently from my husband (he moved some of his programs to it) but I haven’t yet tried it myself…
If you try it, you’ll have to let us know what you think.
We’ve been using it for a while, but I have to admit that I didn’t know it was called “the cloud” until those recent tv ads. For me, getting my iphone and being able to use and access info in the cloud at home and wherever I am with my phone and to have multiple people (like my co-leader for my moms group or my husband) be able to access and change that info is revolutionary! Seriously, my husband being able to add something to the appropriate “must get” list, by store (we have lists for grocery, costco, hardware, drugstore, target, craft store) saves so much hassle! My brain just cannot remember anything on its own anymore.
As for the sponsored post issue, after reading your blog for years, I absolutely trust your integrity. You are very clear about what the sponsorship involves. And, for example, in the case of the gift guides, you give great ideas from many sources, not just pier 1.
Just my 2 cents, but I love your blog and if sponsored posts that fit your content and over which you have total creative control bring more resources to you and your family, then I am all for it them.
Yes! My experience with the cloud has been “revolutionary” as well, Sara.
And thank you so much for sharing your opinion on sponsored posts. I promise to continue to be open and clear about any sponsorships I am involved in.
(Gabrielle, it might be a little clearer if you refer to the above as Cloud Computing rather than just the Cloud :-) Every company/website has their own “method” of cloud computing for their users.)
It seems that for this method of cloud computing, Windows is bringing all of their services which use this “cloud” technology under one roof – so they have a picture service like flickr, msn chat, and a file sharing service all under the “Windows Essentials” pack. I’m assuming that you download the “Essentials” program to your desktop and it manages these on your computer, enabling you to share them with greater ease to the internet.
Cloud Computing sounds much more illustrative. I will try that instead. : )
And yes, I think you’re right about Windows bringing all their services under one roof. If you’re already really comfortable using Word or Excel, it’s nice to have this option instead of learning a new cloud hosted program.
My husband is all about the cloud. He talked about it nonstop for about a year when he switched his business to cloud computing. I never thought about putting things like kids’ show sizes in a document, but that’s a great idea. I never know that stuff when I need it.
Since we’re on the topic of sponsored posts…I don’t mind them. But I would mind if I felt like things that you wouldn’t normally be telling us about were featured. Thanks for being receptive to your readers’ opinions on this.
Hi Anne! From reading the comments, it sounds like husbands are the early adopters where cloud computing is concerned. Very interesting.
Thank you for the feedback on sponsored posts. So helpful!
I’m currently an IT student, and I absolutely love the idea of on-line storage, and processing. I use Wuala to sync my files between the 2 or 3 computers I use every day. It’s awesome that I’m able to save a document on one machine, and within a very short period of time have it available on all of them. LOVE IT!
I use Mac’s Mobile Me service and LOVE it. As a graduate student working and computing from different locations daily I couldn’t get by without it, no more worrying about carrying around and losing zip drives. I can access everything from where ever I am. I am also a big fan of the lists and calendars, I am so much more organized because of it.
We use Google Docs at work all of the time, and I know many k-12 schools that are doing the same for student work and collaboration. My blog is totally cloud-based. And I love Evernote for managing lists and favorites. Still, I’m much more inclined to keep my photos on my hard-drive with weekly back ups, and my calendar in iCal, but only because I don’t want to have to recreate all of my tags and folders. I know! Such a fuddy-duddy!
We don’t use clouds but my husband and I use a dropbox that I have just started enjoying for all our shared documents….
xxx
CEO
I just discovered your blog and love it so wanted to be sure you knew about the best free option on the cloud… YouSendIt (free way to share large files) https://www.yousendit.com/
:)
I’m stuck on the ground! Many thanks for giving me the dream of flying!
“Somewhere over the rainbow!” I love the dream. And your reality.
Bless you, darling!