| Enticed by the idea of cloud computing but not | | | | collaboration and sharing. Keep track of blog posting |
| entirely sure how to go about using it? Chances | | | | schedules in a spreadsheet or work together on a |
| are, you have been doing just that by using web | | | | business presentation, even when you're at a |
| services to store your data for you. Here are five | | | | distance. Scheduling meetings at any time of day |
| free ways that you can get in on the new cloud | | | | has gotten much easier with these services, and now |
| computing phenomenon. | | | | you won't even need to fork out the cash so that |
| 1. Use a cloud-based email service. All web-based | | | | everyone has the same expensive software. |
| email services are actually in the cloud. This includes | | | | 4. Share photos. Services like Flickr, Photobucket, |
| Gmail, Hotmail, and Yahoo mail. In short, if all of | | | | and even Facebook can share your photos across |
| your emails are stored online and not on your | | | | the web for you. No more need to mail off CDs to |
| computer, you're already emailing in the cloud. You | | | | friends and family; just upload them and your family |
| can also filter these accounts through your PC by | | | | can download them for free. You're also provided |
| using a software program like Microsoft Outlook or | | | | with an easy link, especially from Flickr, to post those |
| Mozilla Thunderbird, but why take up space on your | | | | pictures elsewhere on the internet. This solves the |
| PC when you could be using your free 7 GB of Gmail | | | | problem of buying your own webspace and storing |
| storage? Gmail is hugely popular for a reason. You | | | | your photos on your own PC. No need to worry |
| can also take advantage of Gmail's free chat client, | | | | about memory card space or PC meltdowns if all of |
| Gchat, designed for easy and casual communication | | | | your pictures are stored on the internet. |
| between email correspondents. | | | | 5. Start a blog. If you use services like or |
| 2. Investigate online Docs services. At present | | | | Wordpress.com, your blog is essentially stored in the |
| there are two major cloud-based docs programs. | | | | cloud without you paying a penny. Customisation |
| These are Google Docs and docs.com, which is a | | | | options are limited for these types of blogs, but if |
| Microsoft product designed to work with Office 2010 | | | | you're looking to save some money but keep your |
| and integrated with Facebook. Both services allow | | | | blog, there aren't many better ways to do it. Blogs |
| for easy sharing, collaboration, and saving "in the | | | | enable you to share your thoughts and photos with |
| cloud" to save space on individual PCs. Google Docs | | | | the world, on one defined subject or on as many as |
| in particular has slightly fewer capabilities than | | | | you like. |
| Microsoft Word but it will almost certainly get the job | | | | Students and researchers may be lucky enough to |
| done in a pinch with easy layout and design functions. | | | | get free cloud computing services, especially if they |
| 3. Collaborate online. Services like Google Calendar can | | | | are attached to universities. I used to have free |
| help you coordinate with people all over the place, | | | | webspace from my university. If you think you |
| whether or not they've invested in expensive office | | | | might have it, ask! Don't use your PC space when |
| software. Docs software also allows for easy | | | | you could be storing your information in the cloud. |