What is cloud computing?

I hear so much about businesses moving to "the cloud" but I have no idea what it is. And don't just copy from Wikipedia.What is cloud computing?
"Cloud computing providers deliver applications via the internet,..."

I copied that from Wikipedia, and you will find all the info you could ever want to know there.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_compu…
Overview

In the past, computing tasks such as word processing were not possible without the installation of application software on a user's computer. A user bought a license for each application from a software vendor and obtained the right to install the application on one computer system. With the development of local area networks (LAN) and more networking capabilities, the client-server model of computing was born, where server computers with enhanced capabilities and large storage devices could be used to host application services and data for a large workgroup. Typically, in client-server computing, a network-friendly client version of the application was required on client computers which utilized the client system's memory and CPU for processing, even though resultant application data files (such as word processing documents) were stored centrally on the data servers. Multiple user licenses of an application were purchased for use by many users on a network.

Cloud computing differs from the classic client-server model by providing applications from a server that are executed and managed by a client's web browser, with no installed client version of an application required. Centralization gives cloud service providers complete control over the versions of the browser-based applications provided to clients, which removes the need for version upgrades or license management on individual client computing devices. The phrase "software as a service" (SaaS) is sometimes used to describe application programs offered through cloud computing. A common shorthand for a provided cloud computing service (or even an aggregation of all existing cloud services) is "The Cloud".

Any computer or web-friendly device connected to the Internet may access the same pool of computing power, applications, and files in a cloud-computing environment. Users may remotely store and access personal files such as music, pictures, videos, and bookmarks; play games; or do word processing on a remote server. Data is centrally stored, so the user does not need to carry a storage medium such as a DVD or USB flash drive. Desktop applications that connect to internet-host email providers may be considered cloud applications, including web-based email services.What is cloud computing?
At this point it is very important to understand the differences between classic client-service model and cloud computing as these concepts may look similar to someone. There are three distinct characteristics which should be discussed in this case: elasticity, flexibility and maintenance. For example, when you buy a traditional web hosting service, all the details are defined in advance: the amount of space for your website bandwidth size, the number of databases you are able to configure and so on. However, when you order a similar service from the “cloud”, you can use as much or as little space and resources as you need at that moment – it is elastic. Moreover, you pay only for the actual consumption of services (it is like on demand self-service) and you don’t have to care neither about maintenance nor about tools for using it – the service is fully managed by the provider. All you need is computer with sufficient Internet connection.

More information:

http://deletemalware.blogspot.com/2011/0…
Im pretty sure that the "dumb" version of what it is is that basically you can wirelessly acess data you have stored on one of your/ a companies' devices without having to email or plug anything in..... For example, if you buy a song on your computer through iTunes, instead of having to plug in your ipod to get the song, you can choose to have it automatically downloaded to your ipod without having to plug it in.......... thats all i know about it.What is cloud computing?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_compu…