Windows 7: Windows Azure: The Cloud Is Inevitable

Lee · 17 Oct 2010

The 'Cloud" is nearer than some of us may think it is. It seems that Microsoft and Google are going to be pushing this style of computing onto the public.

Here is an article that is worth reading if you are thinking about joining a "Cloud Computing" network.

I think that those who have been members here on the Sevens, know my thoughts on "Cloud Computing." It is just not my thing; putting something of mine (music, pictures, documents, etc) on someone else network just isn't going to happen. Albeit, it seems that there are those (Microsoft, Google, Apple, etc.) who feel this is truly the way of the future.

Here is some more interesting stuff on Microsoft on the Cloud.

How do you here on the Sevens feel.

Dinesh · 17 Oct 2010

Here's an article that explains what is "Cloud" computing.
What is Cloud Computing and What Does This Stupid Buzzword Mean? - How-To Geek

Fayla · 17 Oct 2010

The first link gives me an 404 error.

I agree with you too. My data is my data, it's not theirs-- Who knows who could be looking at it? Or could ask to look at it? (FBI, etc.)

Besides, the Internet is far from secure. With various traffic snooping going on and patchy encryption methods available, the picture isn't too nice looking. Plus having your data stored in a cloud OS would be one hell of a 'honey pot' for hackers to target and they would certainly target it.

Quote: Originally Posted by Lee

It is just not my thing; putting something of mine (music, pictures, documents, etc) on someone else network just isn't going to happen.

Layback Bear · 17 Oct 2010

If your cloud gets infected how does the cloud get uninfected. Who and how does the infection get removed? How does one secure the clouds. We all have selected the protection we want on our computers. How does one select what protection is use in a cloud? Security is my concern.

DMHolt57 · 17 Oct 2010

I really feel that this is how M$ wants to control their operating system in the future. With an annual fee of course, your Windows operating system will reside in the cloud, and update itself automatically...

Lee · 17 Oct 2010

The link to Softpedia as been repaired for those who want to read the article.

Lee · 17 Oct 2010

Quote: Originally Posted by DMHolt57

I really feel that this is how M$ wants to control their operating system in the future. With an annual fee of course, your Windows operating system will reside in the cloud, and update itself automatically...

It isn't just Microsoft that is getting into Cloud Computing. You need to read the article to see just what is happening and who is getting involved. This is the way companies like Google, Microsoft, Apple along with a cast of others are looking to go. So to specially say this is how Microsoft is trying to control the OS by moving to the Cloud is not reading and looking into what is going on in the world of computing.

Do a Google/Bing search for any one company such as say Apple, and you will see their stance on Cloud Computing. Almost all big tech companies are placing their bets on the Cloud. They see this as the wave of the future. So your statement is a little lame to say the least.

mr pc · 17 Oct 2010

I posted this in another thread concerning cloud computing

Quote:

Absolute Cloud Computing should be a choice not a standard. The reason why I say Absolute is because cloud computing does exist in many ways: torrents, p2p, ftp, file storage sites, software updates, home/business networking, remote desktop operations, gaming and I'm sure I'm missing some others. So it is here and many of us use some or many elements of it.

There is one stipulation to the current mode of handling our data - we choose what and what not we want to share, access, store, place out into the internet. I have no complaints about placing photos on the internet to share with friends and family, but do not want to place important financial documents out there.

We also know that the evolution of Cloud computing would be remote desktop operations - what would happen if the server went down? How many users would be affected simultaneously?!? Rather than just my computer going down because of my own stupidity - it would be left in the hands of individuals and technology I know very little of.

Absolute Cloud Computing would also open the floodgates for data miners as well, not to mention the questionable locations your information is stored.

This also raises the questions of bandwidth availability and cost - This would definitely create user tiers in the internet and prices would undoubtedly jump due to increased demand.

maybe I'm off the mark, but it feels like a racket and an opportunity to endanger user privacy.

How will ISP's help support this? Infrastructure would have to be there before this is implemented. Could this be somehow connected to Television OS improvement? Are they by any chance predicting or planning for television computing? You pay for the "Cable" tier you want which would include access to certain apps, storage, speed? What about having your choice of OS? Would there be an access OS to the Cloud OS? How about Cross-OS applications? How about redundancy in case of system/transmission failure? If a point of access is compromised who will be held responsible?

Will this diminish competition and diversity and create a homogenized computing environment?

Ryan2320 · 17 Oct 2010

I think personally this is a good thing, why? With the "cloud" I am able to access my files, folders, and my OS (maybe) from any device! I already can access that power point from online and view it in the browser. (Office Web Apps) I can already store files online (Windows Skydrive) These applications are already here, it is just a matter of time of when they will combine this into one application.

And like Lee said, it is not just Microsoft, Google is another big company pushing for the cloud (Chrome OS) and Google Docs have already made a big ripple in the cloud
industry...it will only get more interesting from here!

Ryan

James Colbert · 17 Oct 2010

I vote no (as if that matters...). Security & privacy seem to be insurmountable issues in this scenario, and I would think the liability factor for those 'running' the cloud would be high. Security compromised, identity stolen, bilked of funds? Who else should be held liable but those in charge of the given Cloud? But apparently, liability is not enough to deter.

James

Windows 7: Windows Azure: The Cloud Is Inevitable

Windows Azure: The Cloud Is Inevitable problems?