Cloud computing is a term usually used to describe the proliferation of resources and services accessed through the internet. These resources (for example, Google maps; Google docs; Google Analytics; WordPress.com; online Adobe applications; your website host) in fact, any online service that happens “out there” – you don’t care where, as long as it works – is said to happen “in the cloud”.
Cloud commuting is not a term that has the same widespread understanding. For me the term cloud commuting means working from home.
Cloud computing has made cloud commuting possible with the availability of ever cheaper, faster and larger servers. Just think, whether you are reading at home or at work, how much of your digital life exists outside the computer you are using?
- Do you have a Gmail, Yahoo or Hotmail email address?
- Do you have your words and pictures stored in a social networking site?
- Do you use a website (your own or somebody else’s) for work?
My guess is that the answers to these questions are yes. And, if so, this means you are already outsourcing some of your digital life. This also means that you, if you aren’t already, can work at least some of the time at home.
Outsourcing has suffered from a slight misrepresentation as a practice of companies laying off workers in the west replacing them with cheaper services from the east.
Cloud commuting for me means people from all over the world breaking free from the corporate machine and setting up shop in their homes, providing high quality professional services for clients whilst, importantly, employing others to provide services for them. As Amanda O’Donovan says:
The Cloud Commuter is highly skilled, eco-friendly, doesn,t take up valuable office space and won,t be asking for health benefits… Why take the risk of committing to a permanent headcount when you can drink from the talent pool whenever you want to?
Personally, I feel liberated by becoming a cloud commuter. For one thing I don’t miss the mornings struggling onto crowded trains with thousands of other real world commuters. And then at work, I felt that my input was hampered by the structure of the company – you couldn’t do something until it was agreed by someone else. I liked to get things done. I wasn’t big on water cooler discussions, team building exercises and endless meetings.
The benefit of cloud commuting
The environment – it’s a no-brainer: less meaningless car, bus, train journeys. It’s a good thing.
Productivity – the cloud commuter immediately wins up to 2 hours a day by cutting out this pointless journey. And, the cloud commuter can concentrate better on work. Ever tried PHP coding in a busy office? Don’t.
The family – the cloud commuter spends more time with loved ones; less time with “the boss”. The family will usually benefit. OK, I know that there’s a potential pitfall here where the cloud commuter could be 24/7 locked away in the home office, continually stressed as not able to separate work from home life but this hasn’t been my experience.
The community – instead of living the false “double life” of the real world commuter who suffers the daily routine of traveling to the phony community, cloud commuters spends their time in the most important community – the one they live in. This will provide nicer neighborhoods for people to live in rather than neighborhoods for people to sleep in.
The disadvantage of cloud commuting
There’s one, but it’s a big one: security. Moving all your work to the clouds does compromise the information. The extent of this problem depends on the sensitivity of the files that you store in the cloud. Security should be set on a case by case basis but I would urge all cloud commuters to employ all the usual procedures: run regular back ups of everything and keep them away from where you work; run the latest updates of all the software you are using, and install and regularly update virus scanning software.
Cloud commuting and graphic design
To me, the business of graphic design and marketing lends itself perfectly to cloud commuting. We are often in the business of selling an idea not a physical product so we don’t actually have to be anywhere when we work. We just need to be near a computer with an internet connection.
Graphic designers work best when they are free to express themselves and unfettered by the corporate restraints of time, money and hierarchy.
Employ a cloud commuter to deliver a message, sell a product or re-design a website and you’ll have a enthusiastic, hard-working and experienced professional working for you – for a price that would compare very well to an agency’s for the same work!
Andrew Kelsall says
What an excellent article Rob, I can relate to the whole concept. For me, working from home is the only way to go. It would have to be a great offer to get me working fro someone else.
Since the birth of my second child, I no longer have a proper office, which is now the nursery, but apart from that, working for yourself is total freedom in design.
Rob Cubbon says
Thank you, Andrew, I have visions of you designing with children, toys and nappies (diapers) everywhere!
Andrew Kelsall says
Hehe, well, I did before I became Mr B&Q and constructed the smallest office in the world for myself, lol.
Rob Cubbon says
Yes, I saw pictures of that! I’m in a box room now and I’m thinking, what if I want a second desktop computer, where am I going to put it? On the ceiling?
Mark Narusson says
Great article Rob. I’m currently thinking of working for myself and this advice from someone who’s already doing it is invaluable stuff.
Bob Hurst says
A great article Rob . First time I have heard of the term cloud commuting and you have a good point when it comes to employing a cloud commuter instead of using agencies.
Rob Cubbon says
Best of luck, Mark. Yes, I’m a big fan of the small independent operators vs the bloated agencies. Cheers, Bob!
James says
I have some clients that i’ve never even spoken to before now but there’s still trust between us. I agree busy offices are often very distracting places to work in
Rob Cubbon says
Me too, James, this is a new way of doing business but trust is just as important as it always was.
Alistair says
I love the beautiful pastel blue tones and the simplicity of this page! It is beautiful! There is no doubt – sometimes the simplest is the most impressive! Gret job! 🙂
Rob Cubbon says
Well, thank you very much, sir!
Abi says
Nice write up and excellent advice too. I sure am a cloud commuter
Cheers
Rob Cubbon says
Thanks Abi, us cloud commuters have to stick together! I don’t think the term “cloud commuter” has really caught on, though 🙂
Jake Coventry says
Nice article. Really interesting point you have made about – “Graphic designers work best when they are free to express themselves and unfettered by the corporate restraints of time, money and hierarchy.”
Rob Cubbon says
Hello Jake, thank you. I hope you enjoy other articles you find here.
David Airey says
It can be useful revisiting old posts like this, Rob.
Security is definitely extra-important when all your work’s in the cloud. Multiple local backups help, with an external hard drive kept off-site, perhaps in a relative’s home (in case of fire or flooding, for example).
Hard to beat the 10-metre commute.
Rob Cubbon says
Good to see you back here again, David. Yes, you definitely should employ a “belt and braces” approach to backing-up – on-site, off-site and in the cloud.
Garry Kelsall says
Hi Rob, I fully agree with all of this, these are the reasons we are all so happy in our work!
Just one question, when you say, “have secure email” do you mean simply using a https:// connection with your provider or are you suggesting actually encrypting the actual emails – not just the connection?
Rob Cubbon says
Hello Garry, Thank you for your comment. Good to see you here again. I wrote this so long ago I can’t remember what I was referring to. I have deleted the reference to “secure email” as I think setting it up at home is quite an arduous task and not really necessary for most stay-at-home web designers.
Anonymous says
Ok Rob, I only asked because one of my clients who sends names and addresses by email has asked for a secure method so I’m currently planning a solution. Thanks again. Garry
Rob Cubbon says
Good luck with that, Garry. I’ve looked into it only superficially. If you get a good solution for it you must let me know. 🙂