Cloud computing

ICit2lol said:

Now I have read a bit about this and I don't like the general sound of what is said in tis article I have just got Cloud haters: You too will be assimilated | ZDNet

Because it sounds like it will include me and just about everyone whether you like it or not - this also sounds like deprivation of liberty to me unless I have got it very wrong and I didn't like the threatening tone throughout the article.

Another thing is at the bottom there is a linked article to Oracle and cloud computing and I am wondering now if perhaps this is where Java and applications like it are falling to pieces or so it would appear to me.

I just don't want to entrust my personal stuff to some big brother type setup - or is this meant to be an early April fools joke??

Eh, perhaps one day it might be there. i feel the same... "big brother setup"

It's only a convenience to sync files between devices free and easily and appears to be as secure as email provided by MS on the same platform (Hotmail, Live). I also like having a copy of my files available on the internet for me to access from anywhere, or Share with anyone permissioned. And since I have 25gb from the free offer last year I can store all my stuff there at the same time.

Anything I don't want someone to see like bank account info I zip up and password with 7Zip.

I wrote up what is working best for me for others to look over here: Sync, Backup and Store your Files to the Cloud with Skydrive - Windows 7 Forums

It will be hard to assimilate someone who doesn't have a cloud connection, a slow connection, or has one with a low cap.

Frankly, the author of that article was an arrogant piece of work (I have more accurate terms but Mama told me not to use those words). He not only doesn't give the north end of a southbound, furry, little rodent about people who aren't as privileged has he and/or don't fit the profile he feels they should fit, he says so in a very hateful way ("...it sucks to be you..." Seriously?). I find it impossible to take jerks like him seriously.

Oh, wait! The sagacious donkey works for Micro$not. Why does that not surprise me?

The cloud has its uses now and will be even more useful in the future, but it is not going to take over, kill PCs, etc.

I suspected he might work for M$ because he shares the same 'tude M$ has been showing and, when I checked his bio, sure enough, he did. With clowns like this working for them, it's not surprising that M$ has been ramming abominations like Win8 and Office 2013 down our throats.

He sounds so much like a dictator.

Regardless of how we see the issue at the moment, I think he is right about his basic premise, but it will only happen when the speed issues have been solved (universal fibre-optic connections and sufficiently fast Wi-Fi?) and permanent connectivity is guaranteed - even in the more remote locations and for all mobile devices. There will be a long period of teething issues but they are mainly technical and I wouldn't have the knowledge to predict how long it will take. I think the cloud will in the future be much like how we view Radio and TV (and now the Internet) - available almost continually and with enough redundancy to ensure reliability.

Well, I got news for you, Cloud Haters. The cloud is coming for you whether you like it or not. The cloud cannot be stopped. Your data and user experience will be assimilated. We still don't understand why this frightens people.

I think many of the comments from the website (which hardly surprise me) come from the perspective that for so long we computer users have had a fair degree of control in many areas and our resistance comes from the prospect of apparently losing some of that control although many obvious genuine current issues have been highlighted. Of course there will be many who will never trust their data to the cloud or have exceptional data tasking needs and undoubtedly there will be other solutions - perhaps private or local clouds as mentioned by many - but if the hardware stops getting manufactured then we, as general users, are basically stumped. As it is, in general we are forced to update our hardware fairly regularly if we are to take full advantage of the latest developments in many areas. Born just after the war I have seen the full development of the computer industry (128 kb memory on my first computer) and even in the 60's before personal computers were about I envisioned the 'streaming' of on-demand services (although just music admittedly) that might have been possible in the future. Current concerns are basically about having reliable fast connectivity and security although privacy and control will still remain as issues. I think that the overall power of the cloud will push much progress, e.g.

BBC News - Web-based 'brain' for robots goes live

Crowdsourcing the cloud to find cures for rare and “orphaned” diseases | Ars Technica

Although I am sure he was sticking his tongue out at us whilst writing this, I don't think it matters who wrote it as it is basically true - not that I use any part of the cloud yet apart from e-mails.

:)

Any of you flatulent geriactrics like me remember CBM (Commodore Business Machines)? At one time, they dominated the home, educational, and small business computer markets. First, they abandoned the educational market because they didn't feel it was profitable enough (that was the best thing that ever happened to Apple). Then, when they came out with the Amiga, they abruptly abandoned their Commodore customer base, assuming every one would happily abondon that ship and sail with Amiga. History shows how well that worked out.

M$ is risking the same fate if they continue to abandon segments of their market.