It’s interesting the detours you take when researching What I Want to Learn.
One of the items on my list was learning more about the various note-taking software. I started with Evernote, a free cloud computing program.
- Cloud computing connects data we input on our end
- And stores it on another end – the “cloud”
Basically, it connects us through a network, most often through the internet You have access to the data from any device with an internet connection.
As I began to play with Evernote, I wondered –
Do I need cloud computing?
Head in the Clouds
I like technology – I really do.
Some may question that due to my resistance to being an early adopter. I’m all for it if it makes my life easier.
Therein lies the rub.
- I’m not entirely sure I need cloud computing access right now
- Here are 3 questions to ask yourself before flying up, up and away
Question #1 – Do you fly solo?
- Are you a sole proprietor?
- A freelancer?
- Or do you have employees that work for you?
Some of the benefits with cloud computing include–
- There are fewer hardware and software requirements for employees
- You download one application with web access versus installing software on multiple computers
- It allows for shared platforms across the network with real-time updates
If you fly solo (like me), those benefits may not have as significant an impact as an organization with worldwide locations.
Question #2 – How much do you travel?
The benefits of cloud computing really shine through when traveling.
- There is no need to carry multiple files
- You have access to files you may not have anticipated
- You may be able to travel lighter – e.g., leave laptop at home
- You don’t have to worry about leaving flash drives in hotel computers (never happens, right?)
In my Corporate days, I was the original road warrior – at times as much as 3-4 days a week – every week.
Now, my traveling is typically only a few weeks a year. Makes me wonder how I survived my Corporate days without cloud computing – or even a cell phone – hmm.
Question #3 – Do privacy concerns cloud your thoughts?
My Dad had a favorite saying –
It’s like closing the barn door after the horse has escaped.
That’s often how I feel about privacy concerns.
It’s not that I am not concerned about them. I just wonder if that horse escaped a long time ago – about the time we all started getting online.
- Privacy and the security of data are probably the biggest concerns about cloud computing
- Who hasn’t read about accidentally-released data?
Those concerns are today’s reality so how you feel about them may make a difference in how you feel about cloud computing.
Grounded in Reality
This may be a bit of cheating on my What I Want to Learn list.
I did write a post about note-taking software. I just hadn’t taken any for a spin.
- The concept had great appeal
- Especially with my baby boomer memory
- When I have an idea for a post – I do a voice recording on my smartphone
- Usually when walking – my prime time for idea generation
- I organize other notes on my computer
- I backup my computer
So, for me, I think I’ll stay grounded and leave the note-taking software for my return to the clouds.
How about you?
Do you use cloud computing?
What questions did you ask yourself before sitting on a cloud?
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This is the fourth topic of seven from my What I Want to Learn list. It’s another round of practice what you preach. I have to stop preaching! I hope you don’t think I cheated too much before trying out more note-taking software. I would love your feedback.
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Oh, Cathy, you wrote this just for me, didn’t you? 🙂
How do I love Evernote? Let me count the ways.
For starters, it’s the ultimate “Pile and Search” app. Contrast that with most operating systems’ stilted hierarchical limitations: Folder/file, file extensions, proprietary databases, etc. Pile and search refers to dumping all contents into a single, known location, then using powerful search and filter tools to retrieve information later.
When I first started using Evernote, I almost hamstrung it with the Folder/file paradigm. In addition, I was tagging everything. Once I learned about its powerful search, I reorganized everything into broad categories and now I just dump stuff in the closest match “bin”, so to speak.
Evernote replaces a slew of dedicated web apps, such as Delicious, Firefox bookmarks (!!) and Amplify. I have countless browser bookmarks in that nefarious folder/file structure, where I can’t find a tree for the forest. Same with Delicious, though my concern was more with the site’s future, than its functionality. Amplify is a decent web clipping /curation tool that I never use any more.
With Evernote, a quick hit on the little elephant, and this web page – for the most part, is saved. I don’t have the Pro version, so the clipper excludes certain multimedia.
Now, the whole entire reason I REALLY got Evernote was to organize Sisterhood of the Void! LOL Can you believe that? I was doing so much research, the browser bookmarks were out of control. Besides, bookmarks can’t really tell me where I saw the word “supernova”, unless I tagged it and, with dozens of concepts per web page, I was not doing that!
Once I had completed that project, I naturally began to outline other stories with Evernote. So, that ‘s the best part, for me.
Finally, forwarding email to Evernote allows me to offload some of the search dysfunction of Gmail. (You’d think the king of Search would get it right in their own blasted apps!)
I could go on, but instead, I wrote a story about it.
Now, I did consider all those areas of concern: backup, availability and security. I only have one notebook that I don’t trust the good folks at Evernote to accidentally leak. Luckily, there is an option to NOT sync a specific notebook. As for backup and availability, life’s too short, ya know? I routinely disintegrate browser bookmark databases whenever I become overwhelmed. Indeed, my most important junk is elsewhere.
I’d like to end this with a reflection on my last sentence: my important junk… I also use DropBox, RoboForm, my own servers, CloudFlare and a couple other resources. I have a 3TB external drive for backups. Now, I’m not a typical user but, my feeling is that, with so many points of capture, the world would pretty much have to blow up for me to be cut off from my data. If a person is leery of the cloud, don’t stay in the house – get an umbrella.
Cheers,
Mitch
Another great topic, Cathy! And a great comment from Mitchell too, with lots of added bonus material in there for me to enjoy. But I do use the cloud a fair bit – Evernote is my favorite app there. I love it as a central notebook for compiling blog ideas, to-do lists etc – I love it because I have the app on my Mac at home, as well as on my iPhone. Then at work, or on the road, I can access it via their online site. But yes, I definitely think about the horse that’s already bolted – I think about that every time I use my computer keyboard, for work-related matters, or for personal use. I try not to be paranoid though, and I don’t use it for sensitive materials, so I guess that’s part of my umbrella! It will be interesting to see what the future holds for us with regards to internet privacy issues though.
Mitch-you are too funny. For me, I’m not leery of the cloud, just don’t know if I need it right now. Don’t get me wrong, I think it is a fabulous concept.
I guess it all depends on where you’re at in terms of data. I do a ton of research for my work, but since it’s almost always cited, I don’t see a need to store it somewhere and I dump it. It’s like my desk. It hits a point where there is far too much paper and I have to clean house. I’m the same way about what I store on my computer-or in the cloud-or anywhere else. After a while, I ask myself, Why am I keeping all this ‘stuff?’
Thanks for a great commentary, Mich-especially like the info that you can exclude certain folders from sync-good to know. If I start traveling more (which I hope), you will more than likely see me in the cloud. 🙂
P.S. Anything I can do to get you back here, Mitch, I’ll be glad to do. 😉
Hi Nicky-I definitely would be using the cloud if I was traveling more. And I’m not giving up on Evernote permanently. It’s just that for right now, I don’t think I need it.
I downloaded the app for my Blackberry, but the truth be told, with my boomer eyes, I don’t like working on that small screen. I already was using my Blackberry voice recorder for blog post ideas – or sometimes it’s Notepad.
I’ll still play with Evernote, but I see that more in my future than my right now.
Thanks for sharing your perspective, Nicky.
Cathy, your point about “Why am I keeping all this stuff?” is the primary reason that bookmarking fails for me. For most of us, typing an address or keyword into the browser brings up “helpful” suggestions that sometimes just get in the way.
At least with Delicious, it didn’t get in my way, but it was too far out of sight – it was never in my mind! Evernote strikes a nice visual balance – there when I need it, outta my way, otherwise. Presumably, I’ll have to delete outdated notebooks, but they don’t present much of a problem, yet. LOL
@Nicky, thanks! I like knowing that I can sync to other devices, when the time comes 🙂
Cheers,
Mitch
Mitch: I don’t bookmark either. I have files for research that I keep with my client files (on my hard drive). I also admit (shamefully) that I print a lot because I still struggle with reading things on line. My recycle or shredder gets a lot of work. 🙂
I think you have a great system going, Mitch. And if I get to the day where there’s a need for me to have it beyond my hard drive, I’m sure I’ll adopt cloud computing. I’m not against the idea-just don’t see the point for me – right now.
Thanks, as always, for your insightful comments, Mitch.
Cathy, I’m wary of using cloud computing. I do see the advantages of it, especially if multiple people need to access files, but I’m concerned about files not only getting stolen, but just plain getting lost.
I use a combination of portable hard drives, thumb drives, and the drives on my desktop and laptop to back up and keep all my files accessible. The closest I come to using the cloud is when I occasionally back up files by sending them as e-mail attachments to myself.
Hi John: I would say your method is very similar to mine. I think whatever method works best for you is the way to go. Now, that I see the title to your most recent post, I have to stop by. Sounds like it’s on a similar vein.
Thanks for sharing your point of view, John!
Hi Cathy.
Yes, I use cloud computing for many different things. One of them I’m using now is Dropbox. I love transferring files from my main computer to my laptop. I use Google Documents so I don’t have to invest in a new Office program right now. I could go on. 🙂 One concern I had was could someone steal the information but I don’t put anything too important there. I also am concerned about what happens to your info if you lose internet access or a server goes down. I balance the risks with the benefits and it’s worked out so far.
Great questions, Cathy!
Sherrie
Hi Sherrie: Thanks for sharing how you work with cloud computing. It does all depend on your situation. That’s why I think we each weigh out what works best for us. I love new toys. 🙂
For me, I’ve had the Office programs from the start (had to in my line of work) so I seldom use GoogleDocs (although I have for some clients). And the best invention in the world was flash drives. Why can’t I come up with an idea like that? 😀
Thanks for stopping by, Sherrie. I do appreciate it.
evernote… that’s what it is? I’ve had it for a longtime and never opened it. sigh
yes, I use the cloud… not sure how not to… google docs… email runs through the cloud I think. I don’t know how to avoid it, although I’m not sure I would.
oh, and carbonite for backup and nod32 by eset for virus… both cloud based or cloud implemented I think.
Hi Anne: Thanks for sharing your resources. I signed up for Carbonite based on a post of yours – so, thank you! 🙂