Uploaded December 2016 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
Today we are already witnessing cloud computing changing the role of user-facing devices. End-user devices—from laptops to embedded device—can easily tap into seemingly limitless computational and storage resources in the internet cloud. While the cloud seems new, in a way it speaks to a past vision of thin-client computing in which "dumb terminals" would get their smarts by connecting to all-powerful backend infrastructure. The rise of powerful personal computers delayed this vision by a few decades, but it’s possible that in the future most of the computing power will be located in data centers. All we’ll be carrying around will be just glorified monitors and input devices.
Credits: Talking: Geoffrey Challen (Assistant Professor, Computer Science and Engineering, University at Buffalo). Producing: Greg Bunyea (Undergraduate, Computer Science and Engineering, University at Buffalo).
Part of the internet-class.org online internet course. A blue Systems Research Group (https://www.bluegroup.systems) production.
Today we are already witnessing cloud computing changing the role of user-facing devices. End-user devices—from laptops to embedded device—can easily tap into seemingly limitless computational and storage resources in the internet cloud. While the cloud seems new, in a way it speaks to a past vision of thin-client computing in which "dumb terminals" would get their smarts by connecting to all-powerful backend infrastructure. The rise of powerful personal computers delayed this vision by a few decades, but it’s possible that in the future most of the computing power will be located in data centers. All we’ll be carrying around will be just glorified monitors and input devices.
Credits: Talking: Geoffrey Challen (Assistant Professor, Computer Science and Engineering, University at Buffalo). Producing: Greg Bunyea (Undergraduate, Computer Science and Engineering, University at Buffalo).
Part of the internet-class.org online internet course. A blue Systems Research Group (https://www.bluegroup.systems) production.
