Cloud computing is to store and access

data or program on/from the internet

instead of your hard drive or any storage
medium.
It is called cloud computing because the
cloud is a metaphor for the internet .In the
early day in the flowchart the symbol used
to represent the internet was the cloud.
Services:
Infrastructure as a service: traditional
servers, storage and other low level
hardware and network technologies are
offered in a virtual form.
Platform as a service: operating system, programming
language execution environment, database, and web
server are offered in the cloud. (Computing platform)
Service as a service: applications are accessed through
the cloud. The cloud manages the platform that runs the
application
Advantages:
Storage and Scalability: you have almost an unlimited
space for data storage;
Backup and Recovery: the cloud has backup and
recovery capabilities;
Mobility: you can access the cloud anywhere at any time
has long you have the internet or web connectivity.
Cost Efficiency: compared to a traditional Information
System, having services on the cloud can be less
expensive.
Enable IT Innovation: With the cloud makes it easy to
intergrade new features in the system.
Disadvantages:
Control and Reliability: the organization can lose little
control and reliability over the data then when they had
on a traditional system because the data will be
managed by the cloud providers.
Security, Privacy and Compliance: has to when you
store confidential data in the cloud for example,
customers information.
Compatibility: every tool, software computer is
compatible with the web based services and platform.
Unpredictable Cost: migrating from a traditional system
to a cloud can be expensive.
Contracts and Locks-In: the traditional IT was controlled
by you but when you move to the cloud there some
obligations that have to be followed and the cloud
provider has all the decision making power.
The latest MS Windows OS has cloud services and
other online platforms integrated on it, such as, Social
Networks, Microsofts own SkyDrive and Xbox live
Services and the Windows Store Service.