The Google Wave UI

Today I want to write about Google Wave, the Cloud and the Magician. First Google Wave is the new system now in preview testing by Google. It is a system that runs in the browser that was created to make thing easier for group collaboration and organization of messages. You May have heard of cloud computing but may not be sure what it is. Basically it is a system where a copy of your information and files that you use on one computer are on another server that can be accessed by any computer over the Internet. Easy examples are things like gmail for email, or mobile me by apple or dropbox. For more detailed information refer to the link above on cloud computer.

First I will talk about Google Wave and how it can be used by the modern magician. At the moment Google Wave is in beta preview meaning its not quite ready for the full public as Google is still trying to work the bugs out. Those who do have invites to the system now are working to figure out how to use it. Even from my use so far I have seen it used mostly as a instant messenger type system. However, Google Wave is much more than that. It is a great  to work on projects with other people in a Group. there are paid services that do do this but Google Wave works in the browser so that means you can access on any computer connected to the Internet without any special software and it’s free. Now many magicians travel  and can’t always get a net connection in their hotel where they are staying. Which means they will have to use an Internet cafe or a single hotel computer. Having Google Wave will be a way to work with clients or other on a projects from anywhere. I wish I had this last summer when I was without Internet for more than a month and had to go to Internet Cafes. I could not use the data on my own computer. Now with Google Wave you can easy jump in and work on a project at any time and anywhere. With the Google Waves play back feature you can see what other group members have worked on while you were away then start to add your contributions to the project. I will definitely be using this system. it is not quite ready to be relied on yet but I am sure in a few months it will be much more stable and usable. There is also a iPhone version in alpha testing. I have tested that out as well. Right not it is not very functional but once it is it gives me a place to log on and work on a group project from anywhere. I look forward to using this system in the future as a tool for working with magic clients as well as working with other magicians on magic topic meetings and brain storming and for sharing ideas.

Next I will talk a bit about cloud computer and the magician. Many of the same things that I wrote about Google Wave is true with cloud computing. For me I have set some important documents, schedules, email, and some other things in the cloud so I can access them on any computer and my iPhone. This allows me to reply to emails, send promotional materials, and work on my other show and business documents from anywhere. I love that I can use them on my iPhone then when I get home the documents are there on my computer done. Great for when riding trains and when travelling. Again for magicians who are on the road that can’t always connect  their own computer to the Internet they can get, send, and work on things from any computer and then have them easily appear on their main computer when they connect that to the Internet.

The thing is about this technology is that there are still some issues that people are concerned about and me as well. One if you use cloud computing you do need to make sure you keep backed up copies on your own computer because you never know when a cloud system may go down or lose your data. There is also the concern about security as all your stuff is on another computer outside your own system so you need to find  a service you trust as well and be wise about what things you do place in the cloud until cloud computer becomes much more refined. Anyway these new trends in computing are very valuable to those of use who travel and wok on many projects with people around the world. These new systems allow use to work while on the road and be productive in down times. If you have never looked into cloud computer have  a look into to and see where it goes and I have been using these systems and they have been great for me when working on my magic entertainment business!

Aaron