Operating Systems in the Cloud

Although I don't totally understand the concept of Internet2, I know it's going to be alot like dropping an ember into a bag of fireworks. The basic idea of Internet2 is a lightening-fast version of what the world currently has. Considering the Internet was first conceptualized in 1947, it's about due for an upgrade.

So what does Internet2 mean for the world of Web 2.0? What awaits us around the bend once data transfer rates skyrocket to gigabits per second instead of kilobits? Will sites like Youtube and Myspace be regarded with the same sneer that we now give 1.0 sites adorned with animated gifs and tiled backgrounds?

With sites such as dropbox and GoogleDocs increasing in popularity, it was only a matter of time before someone decided to go for broke and host everything online. That's what a web operating system, or Web OS is - a computer only in a metaphorical sense. Everything is online. For the most popular of Web OSes this includes everything from an office suite, image editors, chat programs, and web browsers. Plus, most Web OSes have the ability to save settings and preferences, which makes it an even more comfortable user experience.

Basically a Web OS is nothing more than a really, really big flash file, and it operates about how you may expect it - really, really slowly. There is a definite lag when opening applications, and file upload can take forever. It's kind of like sucking a Twinkie through a straw - it's possible, but not worth the effort. But imagine this once the Internet gets supersized. There will be no need to lug around a laptop or panic about losing that flash drive loaded with valuable files. Any computer with an Internet connection becomes your computer.

My favorite Web OSes are StartForce and Ghost, but there's plenty out there to try. Here's a list of the most popular.

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Hello World!

This blog began in the Spring of 2008 on edublogs.org under the simple moniker Integrating Technology. I was always on the hunt for some new technology to use in my classroom, and I thought a blog would be a nice way to share these findings with other like-minded educators. Although I was comfortable using Blogger and even Wordpress, Edublogs seemed like the obvious choice for reaching my target audience. While this may have been the case, the service itself was utterly disappointing. Layouts were limited, formatting changed randomly and without logical reason, and the site itself often loaded at a snail's pace or not at all.

I had an intended audience, but no real focus or purpose, hence the generic blog title and sub-title (A blog for technology, Web 2.0, and general nerdery in the classroom). In establishing this new blog, I had the chance to reflect on the old, and I think the new name - Classroom in the Cloud - is much more fitting.

http://integratingtechnology.edublogs.org/ will stay up, so feel free to check out some of the old blog posts. I try to update at least once a week, but perhaps that will increase with the motivation of a site that actually works.



9.15.08 - Presenting Sliderocket

8.27.08 - Visual Definition of Web 2.0

7.18.08 - A New Approach to Grading

6.27.08 - Inspiration VS. Bubbl.us

6.22.08 - Grow Your Own Sprout

6.16.08 - May I have a Wordle With You?

6.11.08 - Web 1.0 and Web 2.0

6.03.08 - The Twittering Teacher

5.29.08 - Web Favorites

5.27.08 - Where do I Begin?

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