By The FFL Buzz Team
Fayetteville Free Library
Cloud storage, or “The Cloud,” is a common subject of confusion. Cloud storage is a service where a company provides you remote storage space for your data. In other words, it is like having a unit at a storage facility but instead of old furniture, you are storing data like pictures and documents.
Many of us may have used cloud storage service whether or not we realize it. Most smartphones use cloud storage to backup data stored on the phone. The data most commonly backup to the cloud are your contacts as well as pictures captured using the phone. Some of the big names in cloud storage you might know are iCloud (Apple), Google Drive, OneDrive (Microsoft) and Dropbox.
There are several benefits to cloud storage, the single biggest of which is the ease of access it can provide. Nearly all cloud storage can be accessed via the internet by most devices. This allows to you take a picture on your phone, store it in the cloud and then access it on another computer, tablet or phone (with internet access) without the use of cables or software to try to transfer the pictures. This also means no more not having your pictures or documents because you forgot the flash drive at school or at home.
Cloud storage can also make it easier to share pictures with a friend or collaborate with someone on a document. Using cloud storage as a place for a second, backup copy of important documents and pictures is also a common practice, as items in cloud storage are not impacted if anything happens to your computer.
Just as there are advantages to cloud storage there are several things to be aware of when using cloud storage.
First, be sure you know the privacy policies of whatever service you use. It is easy to just click agree to a privacy policy without reading it. While you don’t have to read the entire policy, be sure you understand what the service will and won’t do with your data.
Second, make sure the service will work with your needs and devices. So, if you have an Android smartphone (i.e. not Apple) then Apple’s iCloud will not work with your device. Often, a quick search of your device’s app store will tell you if there is an app for the service. Also, many cloud storage sites offer some free storage when you create an account which allows you an opportunity to use the service with minimal commitment. This allows you to try the cloud storage as well as additional features that might come with the cloud storage account.
For more information or assistance on this and more, visit the Fayetteville Free Library in person or online at FFLIB.org
