computer-programming techniques for clusters of processors known as "clouds."

IBM and Google are starting a program at six colleges to promote computer-programming techniques for clusters of processors known as "clouds."

2007年9月3日 星期一

Software via the Internet: Microsoft in ‘Cloud’ Computing

September 3, 2007

Software via the Internet: Microsoft in ‘Cloud’ Computing

By JOHN MARKOFF

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 2 — The empire is preparing to strike back — again.

In 1995, Microsoft added a free Web browser to its operating system in an attempt to fend off new rivals, an effort ultimately blocked by the courts.

This week, it plans to turn that strategy upside down, making available free software that connects its Windows operating system to software services delivered on the Internet, a practice increasingly referred to as “cloud” computing. The initiative is part of an effort to connect Windows more seamlessly to a growing array of Internet services.

The strategy is a major departure for Microsoft, which primarily sells packaged software for personal computers. With this new approach, Microsoft hopes to shield its hundreds of millions of software customers from competitors like Google and Salesforce.com, which already offer software applications through the Internet.