Dictionary.com defines cloud computing as:

A loosely defined term for any system providing access via the Internet to processing power, storage, software or other computing services, often via a web browser. Typically these services will be rented from an external company that hosts and manages them.

Cloud computing is the idea that, in the future, all applications will run on the Internet rather than on your computer. Let’s use email as an example. Think about the difference between Outlook, an email program that runs on your computer, versus Gmail, an email program that runs on the Internet. Gmail is an example of cloud computing. With cloud computing, there is no software to purchase, install or maintain. The entire application runs on the Internet via your Web browser.

One day, probably in the next 5 years, all computing will work this way. Every application you have running on your local computer will have an online counterpart that will run within your Web browser. It may seem farfetched, but there are countless examples of desktop applications that already have an online counterpart. The following is a table showing popular desktop applications and their online (“in the cloud”) alternatives.

The benefits of cloud computing

If you’ve used an application “in the cloud” you’ve probably already realized some of the benefits. I asked my friend Joe Gleinser of GCS Technologies for his definition of cloud computing and this was his reply:

“Cloud computing is how businesses will slash IT spending in the next two years. It will drive down technical support costs, reduce headcounts in IT departments, and minimize complexity in our networks. The Cloud will increase the rate of technical change. New technologies will be introduced much more quickly than before.”

Within Joe’s definition are several benefits of computing in the cloud.

Reduced Cost

Overall, cloud computing will cost less than traditional computing. Instead of investing serious dollars in servers, IT infrastructure and software licenses, companies will be able to leave all of that to service providers as they subscribe to all of their applications. In the future, computers will need to be less powerful as well. Since all the computing power will happen in the cloud there will be less physical drain on local resources. Once cloud computing really takes off, companies will be able to cut their IT costs big time.

Increased Reliability

Because cloud applications exist on redundant computers in professional data centers, cloud computing will be more reliable than traditional computing. Since businesses will be subscribing to a service, the service provider will be responsible for backing up data, providing security fixes and solving technical problems. The result will be a suite of applications that have greater uptime and better performance than traditional software.

Less Maintenance

IT managers will rejoice as their companies invest in cloud applications. Applications that run in the cloud will have virtually zero required maintenance versus traditional software. The responsibility of maintenance, from upgrading the software to fixing bugs, will fall on the service provider, relieving local IT staffs of the software maintenance burden. Overall, countless hours (and headaches) will be saved as companies no longer have to maintain local software applications.

With cloud computing on the horizon, it will soon be time to ditch your clunky desktop applications and move to running your business from the Web. Let’s hope life is even better in the cloud.

I asked my team members, “What were the most memorable moments of this year’s conference?” Here are the responses I received:

Nick Weynand (that’s me)

The most memorable moment for me was a session called “Pain Free Design Signoff” by Paul Boag, a Web designer from the UK. During the hour-long session, Paul touched on different aspects of the Web design process and how to improve each one, both for the designer and the client. The most profound thing he said was that roles should be defined clearly at the beginning stages of the project. In his words, “the client’s role is to find problems, the designer’s role is to find solutions.” We’ll use many of Paul’s ideas to improve our own process.

I also attended a memorable session called “Prototyping Web Apps” by Google designers Darren Delaye and Michael Leggett. During the session, the speakers presented several methods that they use to accurately demonstrate Web application interfaces at Google. I picked up some great tips that will help us be more successful demonstrating interface designs to our clients.

And finally, another memorable moment for me was eating Nuclear Tacos. They were a bit spicier this year and I was only able to stomach one of them.

Caroling Lee

My most memorable moment this year had to be the two-part session, “The Right Way to Wireframe”. It was one of the rare opportunities to get an inside look at how people work when it comes to wireframing. Led by Todd Zaki Warfel and Russ Unger, they put together some time-lapsed videos of their wireframing processes from start to finish using a pro-bono project they were doing with a non-profit. Each person approached the process differently, used different tools and had different (both successful) outcomes. In the end, I think the take-away was that there are many different answers to the same question, and that each Information Architect, Project Manager, or User Experience Designer brings something different to each project during this planning phase. Final thought: SKETCH before you do anything!

And I have to say that the second most memorable moment had to be the Mashable party, where Pete Cashmore arrived to a sea of adoring fans on the dance floor. Who knew?

Finally, I would have to say that Kyle’s dancing was the most memorable TradeMark moment. Can’t ever get enough of that…(I have a video if you want).

Kyle Greenan

My most memorable moment was Way Cool Map Scripting. It was really exciting to see different data being pulled in and used in combination with maps. You can create very useful and informative maps just by adding bits of data, from photos at specific locations, to even friends currently in a given area. As more and more companies share their data with APIs the future of map scripting can only get better and even more interactive.

Mike Wisian

I know that we attended an interactive conference, but my favorite panel featured the group, DEVO. The synthtastic band did a panel on how they are using the Web to better market their band, but I quickly discovered much of it was a satire of our field (especially toward social media types). Want a say in Devo’s new album? Take their song study at http://www.clubdevo.com/ and do your part in optimizing the fireball!

Manoj Thomas

My favorite session at the conference this year was one that I didn’t even have on my schedule – “Mapping and Geolocation: Turnkey Approaches You Need to Know”. Joe Stump from SimpleGeo (and formerly Digg) led a great conversation and shared some exciting ideas about location-based technologies. The ability to garner geodata opens up a slew of options for generating user-specific content, but the obvious issues involving the lack of privacy will continue to be a fuel for heated debates.

1. Convergence

With information overload at an all-time high, people are constantly looking for ways to simplify their lives. Convergence is one way to reduce the clutter, and you’ll see a major push toward consolidation of information in 2010. Why do people need an email account, Twitter account and a Facebook page? Answer is: they don’t. These applications have just evolved separately, but they all essentially do the same thing: communicate. In 2010, you’ll see more applications developed to converge communications.

2. Cloud Computing

Computing on the cloud has been on its way for a very long time and anyone who keeps up with this stuff knows that this is the direction we’re heading. But in 2010, cloud computing becomes a real reality. For real. In July of last year, Google released Chrome OS, an operating system meant to work exclusively with Web applications. This software product leaves desktop applications behind and does all of its computing on the cloud. In 2010, you’ll see more and more applications developed to work on the cloud and with operating systems such as Chrome OS.

3. Measurable Results

For a while, one thing people loved about Web marketing was the ability to measure the results. Click-throughs and conversion rates were easy to calculate. Then came social media. With the advent of Twitter, Facebook and the like, measuring your marketing dollars became very difficult. It wasn’t impossible; there were plenty of great Web applications that allowed you to measure your social marketing efforts. It just became way more difficult to do than pulling up your traditional analytics software.

In 2010, you’ll see marketers really start to get the hang of measuring online initiatives. New applications will arrive that will consolidate the data and make it easy to understand. As a result, you’ll see brands spend their marketing dollars more wisely. Some will realize that social media is not for them, and some will make an even greater push towards this new advertising market. 2010 is the year that we start to make sense of it all.

4. Location-Based Applications

We seem to spend more and more of our time “in the cloud”, yet no one can deny the importance that physical location has on our day-to-day lives. In 2010, it will still matter where you are and what’s around you.

This year, you’ll see more emphasis placed on this. GPS-based Web applications will emerge that will allow you to instantly connect with people in your immediate area. You’ll also be able to experience an “augmented reality” using your mobile device. See a restaurant you’d like to try? Point your cell-phone at it and get reviews, ratings and menu choices. See a home for sale? Use your handheld device to view price, square footage and days on market. With an abundance of GPS and Web-enabled mobile devices, 2010 is the year that location matters more than ever before.

5. The Real-Time Web

Last year, Facebook released its “Live News Feed” that allowed users to see activity from all their friends in real time. In 2010, we’ll be no more patient than we were last year and results in real time will be a priority. This year, more and more applications will emerge that will allow us to interact with the Web and the people on it instantaneously. No longer will you read a restaurant review from four months ago. Instead, you’ll interact with someone who just ate there through a real-time review site. Search will go real-time in 2010 as well. The results you pull up on Google or Bing may very well be sites that are publishing content as you search, rather than content that was indexed months ago. In 2010, the Web will get up to date.

As it did last year, the Web will grow up a little bit in 2010. It will become simpler, easier to use, more measureable, more instantaneous and an all-around better and more enjoyable medium.