Thing 16: Cloud Computing

Let's hear it for Google! Hip-hip-hooray! Some time back Google decided to take on Microsoft and challenge the latter's near monopoly on business tool applications, namely Office. The outcome of that challenge is Google Docs. They say that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Microsoft must be blushing. Google pretty much borrowed the standard Office interface for its products. That said, they are familiar and easy to use because we've used them before -- just not in a cloud. The other advantages include price point (the Google products are free) and accessibility (they are a web products and available anywhere the web is accessed -- except maybe the People's Republic of China). I think this product would be outstanding when utilized in a classroom setting.