Two startups offer free 'computers' as cloud services — with online storage and applications that run in a proprietary operating system.
We tend to think of Google Apps as the go-to source for freebie cloud computing services, but the truth is, Google isn't the only, or even the best, cloud service. I've found two sites offering Cloud Computing for the average user for free. They call it a computer in a browser or a WebOS. They are not suitable for replacing your enterprise desktops but they are great for moving files from your home computer to your work computer or for students to have their school and personal files with them no matter where they go. The sites are called iCloud and G.ho.st and they offer online storage and applications that run in a proprietary operating system. It feels almost like remote desktop. You can personalize your desktop by changing your wallpaper and if you use the browser you can bookmark sites and do most anything real browsers have to offer.
The file storage is the best part. iCloud offers 3GB of file storage while G.ho.st offers 15GB. G.ho.st also offers an extra 5GB of storage for each person you refer (remember, you were referred by coltmercer@g.ho.st). The storage is supposed to be safe. iCloud boasts daily backups while G.ho.st uses Amazon's file servers for storage, which is most likely why they offer more disk space. G.ho.st also has some added features because of Amazon's file storage including WebDAV which allows you to access your files using Windows Explorer. There is also an application that you can install on Windows and Macs to automatically synchronize files on your desktop with G.ho.st.
More: http://pcworld.com/article/171162
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We tend to think of Google Apps as the go-to source for freebie cloud computing services, but the truth is, Google isn't the only, or even the best, cloud service. I've found two sites offering Cloud Computing for the average user for free. They call it a computer in a browser or a WebOS. They are not suitable for replacing your enterprise desktops but they are great for moving files from your home computer to your work computer or for students to have their school and personal files with them no matter where they go. The sites are called iCloud and G.ho.st and they offer online storage and applications that run in a proprietary operating system. It feels almost like remote desktop. You can personalize your desktop by changing your wallpaper and if you use the browser you can bookmark sites and do most anything real browsers have to offer.
The file storage is the best part. iCloud offers 3GB of file storage while G.ho.st offers 15GB. G.ho.st also offers an extra 5GB of storage for each person you refer (remember, you were referred by coltmercer@g.ho.st). The storage is supposed to be safe. iCloud boasts daily backups while G.ho.st uses Amazon's file servers for storage, which is most likely why they offer more disk space. G.ho.st also has some added features because of Amazon's file storage including WebDAV which allows you to access your files using Windows Explorer. There is also an application that you can install on Windows and Macs to automatically synchronize files on your desktop with G.ho.st.
More: http://pcworld.com/article/171162
