Welcome! Think about how we used to store files on our personal computers versus uploading them to services like Google Drive or iCloud today. This fundamental shift from using local hardware to accessing services over the internet is the core idea of the cloud.
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What is one online service you use instead of installing its software?
Cloud computing is the on-demand delivery of IT resources over the internet with pay-as-you-go pricing. Instead of buying, owning, and maintaining physical data centers and servers, you can access technology services from a cloud provider.
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What problems do you think renting, instead of owning, solves for a new business?
A key characteristic is on-demand self-service. You can get computing resources instantly through a web portal, without needing to talk to a person or wait for approval. This gives you the power to provision what you need, exactly when you need it.
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What other services that you use give you instant access like this?
Another characteristic is broad network access. This means you can access cloud services from anywhere with an internet connection, using standard devices like your phone, laptop, or tablet. Your work is no longer tied to a single machine.
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How does this change the way teams can work together from different locations?
Cloud providers use resource pooling. They have a massive pool of resources that are shared among multiple customers. This allows them to achieve huge economies of scale, which is how they can offer lower prices.
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Why does sharing a large pool of resources make things cheaper for everyone?
