InfoWorld launches cloud computing iGuide

As regular InfoWorld readers know, we've been covering cloud computing since it started to take shape three years ago -- and parsing out what the industry's biggest trend really means. Today we're kicking it up a notch with the launch of a new InfoWorld iGuide to cloud computing.

Portal to help you assess your needs

Think of this graphical iGuide as a portal to help you assess your needs and develop a cloud computing strategy. We've divided the iGuide into six sections, five of them covering common public cloud activities on the open Internet and one devoted to the so-called private cloud.

Development and testing. You can divide dev and test services into two basic categories: the raw compute and storage providers that let you set up your own environments, and platform-as-a-service providers that offer specific, often incredibly rich, development environments. Microsoft has made a big push lately with its Windows Azure platform, while Salesforce's Force.com platform and Google's App Engine provide their own frameworks and tools. Those who create Web applications using a platform as a service typically deploy on that platform as well.