The Cloud again -- Beware of the Hidden (and not so hidden) Costs

Lomai · 14 Dec 2010

Thanks for the article Jimbo.:)
Is this why some countries are interested in rolling out broadband access to all citizens?

Take care and regards

wpurcell · 14 Dec 2010

Right on jimbo. You can bet that if any big company is doing anything, it's not for "the consumer", but for the "bottom line". "Caveat emptor" indeed!

Bearcatrp · 14 Dec 2010

When Microsoft and some others started the cloud idea some 10 years ago, one of the ideas was it would stop software piracy. That I can see but to rent or lease our software will ream all consumers. No way will I want any work I do on someone else server. I can see Linux getting more customers when they start forcing us into the cloud.

Trucidation · 15 Dec 2010

jimbo45 said:

Apart from the security and other issues mentioned with the Cloud I think the pay for "By Use" model will definitely be HUGELY expensive for individual consumers -- the only reason companies are looking at this model is actually to increase their revenue stream.

What happens if your current OS license expires - you can only login to a credit card information page instead of your desktop, meanwhile your programs and data and everything else is held hostage by the license's DRM?

Hyperbole, but not entirely impossible especially since your data is "out there" instead of safely in your hands. At least now if something goes wrong you can take the drive out of the bad server and mount it elsewhere. But if the Cloud decides you aren't BFFs anymore (for whatever reason)... you're hosed.

n0th1n9 · 15 Dec 2010

Not to mention that if you want to migrate all your data to another cloud, you're probably going to have to get congress envolved and/or pay a pretty expensive fee to end your contract after paying a migration fee.

pparks1 · 15 Dec 2010

Piracy is one thing, being able to access your data from anywhere is another thing, having an IT staff that can manage the stuff and keep it working for your business is another thing, there are lots of reasons for the cloud environment.

This forum site is like my knowledgebase software, and it's run in the cloud. I don't mind my personal posts and data being presented here.

wilywombat · 16 Dec 2010

Good post, but let us not forget...upgrading our OS to a cloud based system is (or should be) a voluntary act, we dont HAVE to. We can always keep what we have or move to a linux type OS. Should we keep letting them lead us by the nose all the time or should we react and make sure they understand that it is US that owns the machines and not them?

pparks1 · 16 Dec 2010

wilywombat said:

Good post, but let us not forget...upgrading our OS to a cloud based system is (or should be) a voluntary act, we dont HAVE to. We can always keep what we have or move to a linux type OS. Should we keep letting them lead us by the nose all the time or should we react and make sure they understand that it is US that owns the machines and not them?

This is absolutely true. There are options out there. It's often just a matter of willingness to put the time and effort into learning something new and doing things a different way.

jimbo45 · 16 Dec 2010

Hi there
I don't think ANYONE has problems with short Transactional data on the Net -- we or most of us I'm sure l use ATM's , buy plane, train tickets and other stuff on the Net, pay with Credit or Debit cards in stores and Restaurants and access Internet Banking with scarecly a murmur.

Where the Cloud will make a difference is

a) in the way you pay for Software - likely to be HUGELY more expensive for Individuals since you pay by usage. Companies may well get a "cheaper" model but don't rely on it. People like MS, ADOBE etc aren't going to want to reduce their revenue stream.

b) customisation -- you won't be able to customise a Cloud OS significantly until everyone gets their OWN Virtual Machine

c) being able to add your own hardware and and software could also be problematical.

As I see it the Cloud is more suited to "Boring type Corporate" systems which need stability and aren't using cutting edge technology or eseoteric hardware devices.

A stupid one but often overlooked -- you are still in general going to want LOCAL printing.

I don't think there's a LAN on this planet that doesn't have or has had some printing problems.

Bandwidth for Backup / Restores will also be a problem -- we could be talking several HUNDRED TB a WEEK for a large organisation.

Given the recent events where even Militiary Secrets have been left in Briefcases in Taxis or on the London Underground I suspect that Data security has a HUGE way to go before any company goes whole heartedly into this type of operation.

Since some of this data will only be available ONLINE people will copy it to USB devices and the like to use when not online with all the security risks that THAT scenario poses for example Fragile Technology: Childrens' personal data found on memory stick in taxi.

Cheers
jimbo