Everybody has been talking about cloud computing and how it is revolutionizing IT, and forever is changing how businesses and consumers look at computers. Of course, much of what it promises can have an uplifting effect for both companies and consumers.

Always on, always accessible computing services — what else would an end user need? But while the concept is highly desirable (though not quite novel), the cloud as it is today still has a long way to go before it can consistently offer what it promises.

For one, companies that provide cloud computing services need to drastically improve their reliability and dependability ratings. Most likely, they have to improve the redundancy of their cloud-based systems and infrastructure.

Take the case of Google’s Docs, the online search giant’s cloud computing service. The service is great. Users can create, edit, and store documents, for example, just the way they are used to do on their desktop PCs. The service holds great promise, and may someday compete with Microsoft Office.
My experience with the service on June 5, however, told me that it still has some issues to resolve. With Google and its related online services out of commission for long stretches of time during the day, I could not access the documents I was working on.

Until that time comes that cloud computing services are indeed always on and always accessible, no matter where a user is on the planet, I would rather stick with my PC-centric computing ways.

YouTube Your Blues Away

When I am feeling blue, when things do not turn out the way I hope they would, I always head to that online video-sharing site, Google-owned YouTube. Depending on the degree or level of gloominess that engulfs me, I would end up watching videos of funny accidents of all varieties, funny commercials, banned TV commercials, or reruns of my favorite TV comedy programs.

One video that never fails to lighten up my day, however, is that of British singer Susan Boyle’s audition.

Bing Stops Rebates

Microsoft said it will stop its rebates program for online shoppers who use its Bing online search engine to find items. Started in May 2008, the cashback program was intended to lure Internet users to the Bing search engine.

Despite Microsoft’s efforts, however, Bing has remained a distant third to Google and Yahoo (first and second, respectively).

That’s all for the meantime, folks. Join me again next time as we keep on watching IT.