[arachne] Re: What is "cloud computing" ???

Arachne at FreeLists---The Arachne Fan Club!

Hi Wizzie,

On Fri, 12 Dec 2008 14:29:38 -0600, Glenn Gilbreath Jr. wrote:

> Arachne at FreeLists---The Arachne Fan Club!

> Your example of a server fire is the reason for Google, Microsoft and
> others implementing high levels of redundancy into their "clouds".
> All the data is not stored on just one server, but mirrored on several.

  And each of such sites has its own vulnerabilities. Enough separate
sites, and the chances of at least one of them getting compromised
starts to approach certainty.

> As for your data and security...no argument form me, nor others that I
> know.
> I like the idea of having my data, contacts, etc on my system, and not
> at the mercy of someone else, hoping a disgruntled employee doesn't
> "go postal" and decide to delete as much as they can before they get their
> pink slip.

   That is what will make it unacceptable for corporations. Until the
first big scandal of industrial espionage or data wipe-out hits the media,
it may grow slowly. But just one BIG corporate leak and it will all be 
over for sensitive data.

> Will the idea of cloud computing catch on?  I don't know...but Google Docs
> seems to be quite popular, as is Yahoo Calendar, Microsoft Live, and
> numerous other services.  

   I think your average non-techie Windows click-n-drooler will take it
up eagerly. I guess it will be just as secure as Facebook, Flikr and all
those other ego-trip services.  Which is to say - not very safe at all.

> Another issue yet to be addressed is cost.  How much are
> these service suppliers going to want in exchange for providing software
> services?  Google currently offsets cost via "targeted advertising"...so
> I don't use Google Docs!  Even "free" has a cost...is it worth losing
> control of your privacy, browsing habits, purchasing habits, etc. just to
> use an online word processor?  Not for me, but for others it seems to be
> OK.

   All those who think "I have nothing to hide" will take it up. So it
may well prove to be a commercial success.  But the smart and informed
internet user will probably leave it alone.

Regards,
        Ron


Ron Clarke
AUSREG Consultancy      http://www.ausreg.com
Tadpole Tunes           http://www.tadpoletunes.com
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