Comments on: Cloud Computing and Open Source Software

By: kids digital camera

kids digital camera — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 02:02:00 +0000

As a metaphor for the Internet, “the cloud” is a familiar cliché, but when combined with “computing,” the meaning gets bigger and fuzzier. Some analysts and vendors define cloud computing narrowly as an updated version of utility computing: basically virtual servers available over the Internet. Others go very broad, arguing anything you consume outside the firewall is “in the cloud,” including conventional outsourcing.

By: BJ Dooley

BJ Dooley — Sun, 23 May 2010 04:12:07 +0000

It should also be noted that Cloud Computing is largely built on Open Source infrastructure components.

By: Si Chen

Si Chen — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 01:15:52 +0000

Yes, I certainly hope so — wouldn’t that be cool?

By: Louis Rosas-Guyon

Louis Rosas-Guyon — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:18:32 +0000

Thank you Si. I understand now. I think we are seeing a very preliminary beginning to that with the sync capability in Google Docs.

Also as Google opens up functionality between Google Apps and Google App Engine we will see more of the hybrid systems that you’ve mentioned — especially in cases where customization is required by customers.

Eventually I think the whole segregation between Cloud and On Premise will vanish as true cloud integration (as I learned it) becomes commonplace. These hybrid systems will be the norm.

By: Si Chen

Si Chen — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 22:51:54 +0000

Louis,

What you are saying is indeed true, and I’m one startup that has standardized on Google apps.

What I mean by “the tools are blurring” is this: people typically think of “cloud” vs. “on premise” options for enterprise software such as ERP and CRM, meaning you could either get a hosted CRM system or deploy one, open source or commercial, on premise. But I believe this distinction will go away, because in the future, the “cloud” versions may have some component deployed on premise for speed/security/flexibility, and the “on premise” versions can be bundled with add-ons that are in the cloud.

One analogous example would be the Google Android: it is open source, but it’s really a platform for applications that are in the cloud. I think this will become the pattern for all business software in the future as well.

By: Guest Post: Si Chen on Cloud Computing and Open Source | Open Hacking

Guest Post: Si Chen on Cloud Computing and Open Source | Open Hacking — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 06:52:02 +0000

[...] the original post: Guest Post: Si Chen on Cloud Computing and Open Source This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010 at 11:01 pm and is filed under Linux, [...]

By: Louis Rosas-Guyon

Louis Rosas-Guyon — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 05:17:58 +0000

Si, I am curious if you would expand on your statement “With web 2.0 though the tools are blurring.” I find that a curious choice of words. I warn you that Spanish is my first language so perhaps I am missing something? Anyway, I’d love to read more.

Phil, I agree that it will be chaotic for a while. However the power is incredible.

Right now small businesses can virtually eliminate their costs with a combination of open source software and cloud freemiums. It is now possible for a start-up to standardize on one set of Cloud tools that are free until their business can afford to upgrade to the pay edition.

The impact that has on a small business’s costs is extraordinary. That’s powerful.

By: philsimon

philsimon — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 04:08:39 +0000

Great points all around, all.

Enterprise 2.0 will be quite a bit more chaotic and exciting than its predecessor.

By: Si Chen

Si Chen — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 02:12:08 +0000

Thank you indeed, Louis. I was thinking about “the tool should fit the job” while watching a plumber work — how much we in IT could learn from them.

With web 2.0 though the tools are blurring. I really think that since just about every enterprise computing requirement involves some customization of standard processes, the future is some combination of a customizable open source core with cloud-based components.

By: Frank Scavo

Frank Scavo — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 01:25:08 +0000

Si Chen and I have discussed another point as well: deploying open source software in the cloud. You can do it simply by deploying an open source product, such as opentaps via Amazon EC2. Or an open source provider such as SugarCRM can do it directly.

Si is correct: the two are not mutually exclusive. In fact, I think the combination has a lot of advantages.