Creative ways to use cloud storage

Posted: 06 Sep 2012 09:55 AM PDT

Many people still look at the cloud as a way to back up their data. While data backup is important, and cloud backup is certainly reliable, most cloud storage services allow you to do things far beyond traditional backup. Let's take a look at five creative ways to use the cloud. Creative ways to use cloud storage

1) Unify your documents

Keeping your documents in sync across multiple platforms used to be an exercise in frustration. The most common solution was to carry a thumb drive around and manually transfer your files. Today, however, most cloud computing services allow you to place your files in a specified folder and sync them across all of your devices. Dropbox is one example, making use of a single dropbox folder. Anything placed in this folder is easily accessible via the web or device running Dropbox.

2) Access your music anywhere

A fairly recent trend in cloud storage is the ability to access and listen to your music anywhere. Some services, such as Amazon Cloud Drive and iTunes, give you entry to a fully interactive web-based music player. Give your tunes a common home for easy access regardless of your location.

3) Easily create slide shows and photo albums

Gone are the days of manually attaching pictures to email messages. With most services you can quickly create attractive photo albums and slide shows simply by uploading your pictures. When you're done it's as easy as sending a link to your friends and family.

4) Restore previous versions of files

Chances are you've been in a situation where you've accidentally deleted an important file. Most services give you the ability to restore previous versions of files, saving you from this potentially disastrous situation.

5) Collaborate with colleagues on projects

If you've ever tried to collaborate with colleagues on a project or file, then you're probably aware of how difficult it can be to keep everything in sync. The cloud gives you a simple and centralized location where you can share files, photos, videos and other relevant data. In the event that something is accidentally deleted it's as simple as restoring a previous version.

6 Utilize cloud hosting

Cloud hosting is a method of web hosting that utilizes several servers to benefit your website in several aspects. This type of hosting is especially advantageous to popular sites that have outgrown the shared server. Cloud hosting is cheaper and easier to manage than the oft-used dedicated hosting.

Using the cloud goes far beyond simply backing up your data. It can provide you with an easy way to manage your files and photos, access your music anywhere, collaborate with others on important projects and restore your data in the event of an accidental deletion.

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