Session 4: E-Learning Activity

Session 4: E-Activity - Remix and reflection #OCL4Ed

What is Cloud Computing?

In order to understand the core principles of an open cloud, we need to first agree on some basic definitions and concepts of cloud computing itself. First, what is “the cloud”? The architecture and terminology of cloud computing is as clearly and precisely defined as, well, a cloud. Since cloud computing is really a culmination of many technologies such as grid computing, utility computing, SOA, Web 2.0, and other technologies, a precise definition is often debated.

The key characteristics of the cloud are the ability to scale and provision computing power dynamically in a cost efficient way and the ability of the consumer (end user, organization or IT staff) to make the most of that power without having to manage the underlying complexity of the technology. The cloud architecture itself can be private (hosted within an organization’s firewall) or public (hosted on the Internet).

Reference:
http://www.opencloudmanifesto.org/Open%20Cloud%20Manifesto.pdf

(Retrieved on 18^th September 2013)

Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License

 Reference:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File%3ACloud_computing.svg

(Retrieved on 18^th September 2013)

Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License

Attribution: By Sam Johnston [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Origin of the term

The origin of the term cloud computing is unclear. The expression cloud is commonly used in science to describe a large agglomeration of objects that visually appear from a distance as a cloud and describes any set of things whose details are not inspected further in a given context.

• Meteorology: a weather cloud is an agglomeration.
• Mathematics: a large number of points in a coordinate system in mathematics is seen as a point cloud;
• Astronomy: stars that appear crowded together in the sky are known as nebula (Latin for mist or cloud), e.g. the Milky Way;
• Physics: The indeterminate position of electrons around an atomic kernel appears like a cloud to a distant observer

Reference:
Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_computing

(Retrieved on 18^th September 2013)

Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License

Cloud Computing Architecture

When talking about a cloud computing system, it's helpful to divide it into two sections: the front end and the back end. They connect to each other through a network, usually the Internet. The front end is the side the computer user, or client, sees. The back end is the "cloud" section of the system.

The front end includes the client's computer (or computer network) and the application required to access the cloud computing system. Not all cloud computing systems have the same user interface. Services like Web-based e-mail programs leverage existing Web browsers like Internet Explorer or Firefox. Other systems have unique applications that provide network access to clients.

On the back end of the system are the various computers, servers and data storage systems that create the "cloud" of computing services. In theory, a cloud computing system could include practically any computer program you can imagine, from data processing to video games. Usually, each application will have its own dedicated server.

Reference:

Strickland, Jonathan.  "How Cloud Computing Works"  08 April 2008.  HowStuffWorks.com. <http://www.howstuffworks.com/cloud-computing/cloud-computing.htm> 18 September 2013.

All rights reserved license

I have decided to apply the CC BY-SA license to this posting. The reason being that the materials I have used are using the CC BY-SA license. As for the copyright of the blog post, I think I own the copyright as the work was done outside my employment hours and as such the employer may not have ownership of the work. At the same time, the license does meet the requirements for a free cultural works approved license.

Reflection on Remixing

This has been an amazing and challenging task. It is essential that we understand the different type of Creative Commons licenses available and how effectively we can use each one of them. Also, it was interesting to note how these different licenses could be remixed to attain a new license. The onus is pretty much on the creator to choose the appropriate type of licensing for their work. Even if the creator is confused, the Creative Commons website has a simple and effective process to help determine which license would be most appropriate based upon some feedback.

Most of the work that I used for this blog post had a CC BY-SA license attached to it. The Wikipedia article had a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; the image and the article from opencloudmanifesto.org used the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. The last article had an all rights reserved license and when it came to citing the work; the website provided as to how we could cite the work.