Then it was time for the Electric Kool-Aid X Server Test, the moment of truth.

CNN: The tale of the gratuitous GUI

In the 1990s, they started investing again, this time in the new technology of client-server systems.

ECONOMIST: Spending on information technology

America Online (AOL) says that at any time between a third and two-thirds of its server capacity is taken up by spam (though the firm noted a decline in 2004).

ECONOMIST: Opening Pandora’s inbox | The

Incidents, like attempts to hack into a database server, show up in real-time rather than weeks later.

FORBES: Security Data Is Big Data And A Business Advantage

This usually means you don't want to have to launch the server and then each of the clients every time you log-in, reboot, or move a computer.

ENGADGET: How-To: Share your keyboard and mouse in realtime with Synergy

Early adopters of cloud technologies understand that a cloud vendor's very existence hinges on its ability to protect data and have as little server downtime as possible, and most guarantee an up-time percentage and reimburse customers if it isn't met.

FORBES

As a result of Melissa, one unidentified company shut down its mail server but is having a hard time getting back online with all of the e-mail, Hernan said.

CNN: 'Melissa' mutates, becomes resistant to patch