For the past twenty five years or so, many people point out how digital technology, especially digital networks, enable remote working, including freelancing, coworking, and general digital nomadism.
My own view is that the technology is necessary but not sufficient, it enables but does not really drive these trends in work. (See the book!)
This winter Anna Medina reiterates this case, explaining “what the cloud means for freelance workers” [2]. Writing in the Freelancers Union blog, she declares cloud technology to be “a game-changer”.
Now, to me, “cloud technology” is as much a business model as a technology. The stuff in the cloud is pretty much what we had all along in large organizations (and which I helped pioneer). The new thing is who owns it, and the fact that you basically rent your critical infrastructure rather than try to run it yourself.
I think Medina’s basic point is that this approach (renting form the cloud) is especially beneficial for freelancers. I would say that it levels the playing field, making it possible for an independent worker to have the same high-quality infrastructure as a member of a large organization.
She lists the kinds of tools available, including Communication, Sharing, and Payments.
I think Medina is completely correct that a lot of contemporary freelancing and coworking would be infeasible without access to these cloud services. Technologically, the array of services cited would be “the easy ones”, services well perfected long before “the cloud”. She doesn’t even mention virtual machines specifically, which make possible a variety of “on demand” computing, including software development, simulation, large computations, and lots more.
From my point of view, cloud computing makes a kind of “average” infrastructure available at low cost to even an individual worker. “Average” isn’t perfect or ideal, but it definitely places a solid floor on the quality of infrastructure, raising all boats. Only the wealthiest organization could afford the quality that you or anyone can get in the cloud. That’s good, for sure.
Now, the cloud does not provide everything you need. For one thing, you need a physical place to work, and most people need other people. That’s what coworking spaces are for.
But even technologically, cloud users have to “bring your own” stuff: computer and networks, and users have to take care to use the cloud well.
For example, earlier in February in the same blog, Samuel Bocetta discussed “How to secure client data when you work remotely” [1]. The essential point is that, no matter how great and how “secure” cloud services may be, you, the worker, must still take responsibility for protecting you clients and your own information.
Obviously, using well designed cloud services is a good foundation. But, as Bocetta outlines, you still need to operate defensively and practice safe computing: passwords, cryptography, and policies. You’ve heard it before, and you’ll hear it again.
The good news is that the steps he outlines are little different from any Internet user. The bad news is that they aren’t any more fool proof than general Internet security. So watch out.
To me, one of the scary parts of freelancing is that, as an independent freelance worker, you are on your own, both responsible and liable for protecting you clients. One of the great benefits of belonging to a large organization is when you are helped by and at least partly shielded by the larger group. A big company or university has lawyers on retainer, and also has experts who work hard to defend your systems. You are not alone.
Yes, cloud computing is certainly a good thing for freelancers. My own view is that it is an enabler, but not exactly “responsible for propelling the growth of the freelance industry.” It also is hardly the whole picture. Freelancers are still “on their own” in many ways. This is why coworking spaces and communities are so important and valuable for freelancers: so you aren’t all alone.
- Samuel Bocetta, How to secure client data when you work remotely, in Freelancers Union Blog, February 18, 2020. https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2020/02/18/how-to-secure-client-data-when-you-work-remotely/
- Anna Medina, What the cloud means for freelance workers, in Freelancers Union Blog, February 28, 2020. https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2020/02/28/what-the-cloud-means-for-freelance-workers/
What Is Coworking? 
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