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According to a recent survey by Pew Research Center's Internet Project, 69% of all Internet users in U.S. have either stored data online or used a web-based software application. "These users are making use of 'cloud computing,' an emerging architecture by which data and applications reside in cyberspace, allowing users to access them through any web-connected device." At the same time, most of these users are still unfamiliar with the term "cloud computing."

Listed below is a percentage breakdown of Internet users doing select set of online activities that involve storing data online or accessing applications in cyberspace. (Date is based on survey of 2,251 adults between April 8, 2008 and May 11, 2008 with 1,553 of respondents in the survey being Internet users. Margin of error is ±3%.)

56% Use webmail services such as Hotmail, Gmail, or Yahoo! mail
34% Store personal photos online
29% Use online applications such as Google Documents or Adobe Photoshop Express
7% Store personal videos online
5% Pay to store computer files online
5% Back up hard drive to an online site

In addition, 68% of users of at least one of the six cloud applications said they would be very concerned if companies providing these services analyzed their information and then displayed ads to them based on their actions.

The full report is available for download [PDF] via Pew Internet & American Life Project website.

Related topics: Cloud Computing, Data Center, Web