The cloud can be defined as an online storage "drive" where you store information. The advantage over traditional storage media, such as the thumbdrive, is the ability to access information from any location. WIth cloud computing, you can access your information from a computer, a tablet, or a smartphone. The three most popular services include Apple's Icloud, Google's Drive, and Microsoft's Skydrive.
Apple computer's Icloud allows an Apple user to create and store documents on their cloud. Using online versions of their Iwork software which includes Pages, Numbers, and Presentations, documents are saved online. You can access them from your iphone, ipod touch, ipad, Macintosh computer, or any computer that has internet access, allowing you to work from anywhere. The disadvantage with Icloud is the ability to export documents into a format that allows the Apple product to play nice with open source file formats, or MS office files. In order to have these file formats to work with other programs, you must export the document to a office format on a Mac computer running Apple's Pages, Numbers, or Presentation software. When you do print, it will turn it into a .pdf format, which is and acceptable way of sending documents to share with others.
Google's Drive allows a Google user access to their online "Drive" account. Here you can upload documents, create word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation files, as well as have a storehouse for Chrome applications you choose to select with your Google account. Many of these applications are free for users to use, and allow access by the user from a phone, tablet, or computer on any platform. There are numerous applications that can enhance your productivity, depending upon your particular interests and needs.
Microsoft's Skydrive allows the user to create and manage documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. You can also upload pdf and photos to your Skydrive to use wherever you may be within your documents. Word, Excel, and Powerpoint have web versions that are more considered office "light", however for basic document work can easily meet most peoples needs. One added bonus is an online version of One note, which is similar to a regular paper notebook. You create a notebook. then pages within the notebook to store your information. If you use One note, realize that the text, graphics, etc are part of a digital ink, and can be copied and pasted into office products.
Which every cloud service you choose, there are advantages and disadvantages to each one. Decide what you are comfortable with and take care with whom and how you allow others to access your shared files.
