Rebuilding windows for the 21st century

Microsoft isn't backing away from the challenges of cloud computing either in their data centers or, more importantly, their flagship Windows operating system. In a data-driven world they're getting Windows ready for the next 20 years.

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Read more at source:
Rebuilding windows for the 21st century | ZDNet

MS has certainly been in the "Clouds" lately! This is how they are looking at expanding data centers extra dimensionally over the web.

Now if only they could realize the "technical" deficiencies of using Metro on a desktop interface.

...One can hope, right?

When ever I see association between Windows and Cloud, I automatically think: "What has Microsoft done now?"

Data Centers over the Internet? Surely, the data is going to be less reliable and easier to steal?

Looking through the site posted and Microsoft's Security News Letter I still get the feeling that cost savings and ease of use, (personal devices) is on the front burner of cloud computing. Security although talked about often is still on the back burner. That little itch on the back of my neck.

Layback Bear said:

Looking through the site posted and Microsoft's Security News Letter I still get the feeling that cost savings and ease of use, (personal devices) is on the front burner of cloud computing. Security although talked about often is still on the back burner. That little itch on the back of my neck.

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It is a total top of the head blowout headache for me. The important thing is not the low cost of storage but the cost of losing control over the information. If the data you store on the cloud is not important enough to keep secure, why put it on the cloud? For that matter, why keep it at all? If it is important enough to keep secure, why put it on the cloud? Once your data leaves your direct control, it is no longer under your control. Promises to the contrary are irrelevant and unenforceable. It instantly enters into the public domain and there is nothing you can do about it from that point on.

Encrypting it is not a real solution because, if the data is thought important enough, the encryption can be cracked and the plain text exposed. So ultimately the only things that are safe to store on the cloud is data that is worthless both to you and anyone else. Again, why put it on the cloud?

lkgriffith we seam to be saying the same thing. Once you put your information in a cloud it is out of your control. Security is on the back burner. Whether it is backups or programs employees use every day. The old saying. Never leave your girl friend on the dance floor with someone else because you never know what is going to happen.

x BlueRobot said:

When ever I see association between Windows and Cloud, I automatically think: "What has Microsoft done now?"

Data Centers over the Internet? Surely, the data is going to be less reliable and easier to steal?

Click to expand...

That's putting things mildly at best! "Gee look at all that storage space available on the Cloud!" is the thing being promoted while the reality check will need to bear scrutiny in pratical real world environments.

We live in the 'information Age" as it is so labeled and why wouldn't MS not want a monopoly on information? Certainly MS has the resources to create massive data centers but... what would MS say about data security? Ease of access but... becomes that if or what concern.

When business go to address their own client base they will want assurances about security! Most larger corporations will automatically set up and maintain their own data centers hring personal to look after things.

And now MS will be the one taking over the maintainence via Cloud? You can see where the doubts are raised fast.

Cloud computing for sharing memories seems alright as now millions of people are taking shots all over the world by hundred shots a day, so storage with an easy access might suit the need of some around that they're not shy about to share.
Cloud computing for private data i don't even think about it!.

My issue with cloud computing is an internet connection isn't always available or affordable.

Lady Fitzgerald said:

My issue with cloud computing is an internet connection isn't always available or affordable.

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+1 for me! I live out in a rural area where I can lose internet service at any time and my download speeds are adequate, but not great.

And MS doesn't care one bit where you are located! Their goal with Cloud services is aimed mainly at the corporate world not so much the private home user to begin with. You know where that leaves the rest of us.

As far as photo storage online you can take a look at any social network to see how people plaster personal and family photos regularly without regard to who out there sees them too! While each of those networks does offer one option for not displaying things openly with the privacy settings it still is exposure that can make you wonder about who sees what with Cloud type storage.

Yet you could also say similar things about WLM with Live blog writer, movie maker, Photo album, and of course SkyDrive! Cloud takes the idea much further in dealing with large volumes of data however over just 1 or 2tb at best.

How many times has one read wheir/where a cloud site has been hacked but no corporate or customer information was at risk. Does anybody really believe that. The hacker didn't do the hack job just to turn off the coffee pot in the employees lounge.
That's like believing that all weather satellites are weather satellites. For a home user or small business to me a external storage device under the owner operators control is best. For large corporate or government agency a in house I.T. department with proper equipment is the proper way. Many clouds are in countries that you wouldn't trust with your car keys let alone a few billion dollars worth of information.

That sums things up nicely! Now have a look at one such security breach pointed out last year regarding GoGrid Security Breach

And have a look at something else besides seeing the coffee pot turned off in the employee's lounge. Try actual motivations pointed out there.

1. The method utilized by the suspect to gain access has been identified and remediated.
2. It appears that the suspect’s sole motive was to acquire free services from us. We have no evidence suggesting that the suspect was targeting customer infrastructure or payment cards.
3. We have no indication that any customer information was shared with any other unauthorized parties or that there has been unauthorized use of any cardholder’s data.

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I don't think the perp was out to steal a candy bar out of a vending machine!

I'm with LittleJay on the issue of rural areas and have just read in a newsletter re the impending demise of PC's (am I allowed to ref that article?) and it makes for some very depressing reading.

Myself am absolutely against those mobile type set ups they are for me a toy by any other name and besides if they break and it could be some thing as simple as a cap letting go it becomes a throw away item.

No I want my PC's and will hang on with all I have got.:sarc:

While I just got in a Syvania Smart book with the embedded 7 and found that to be limited as well. Since the OS is embedded and the hard drive is what 2gb? and you use SD Cards to suppliement it is nothing more then a web surfer you carry around.

For a family member who was recently but no longer on dial-up of all things and now can't get online I will be shopping around for 7 Tablet PC to help out. Both are for upcoming birthdays while they certainly "will not" replace the desktop. The family member needs to get VoIP since one phone company came in and messed up the phone lines for the building! Dump dial-up, Dump dsl, go cable!

Here I have how many portables besides the one cell phone which does have texting but...? None! I do have two 7 builds however! "Two desktops! Did you hear that? MS" No touchsided lopsided upside down OS installed! :roflmao:

Now getting back to mobile technologies that's precisely what it is for "MOBILITY"! To change the main OS you would use to strictly mobile and abandon the desktop concepts isn't actually going forward any. No in fact that be would going in a very limited hindsight direction.

Now you add Cloud hazards on top of the list and where do you end up?

Yeah Night Hawk annoys the jeez out of me seeing my son and soon to be daughter in law with those wretched things and all the while he has a $3K build sitting idle plus two laptops.

I reckon they are filthy dirty things at very least - fancy using one after a nose picker has been at it?

Makes me feel ill just like those characters who lick their fingers turning pages of paper

lkgriffith said:

Layback Bear said:

Looking through the site posted and Microsoft's Security News Letter I still get the feeling that cost savings and ease of use, (personal devices) is on the front burner of cloud computing. Security although talked about often is still on the back burner. That little itch on the back of my neck.

Click to expand...

It is a total top of the head blowout headache for me. The important thing is not the low cost of storage but the cost of losing control over the information. If the data you store on the cloud is not important enough to keep secure, why put it on the cloud? For that matter, why keep it at all? If it is important enough to keep secure, why put it on the cloud? Once your data leaves your direct control, it is no longer under your control. Promises to the contrary are irrelevant and unenforceable. It instantly enters into the public domain and there is nothing you can do about it from that point on.

Encrypting it is not a real solution because, if the data is thought important enough, the encryption can be cracked and the plain text exposed. So ultimately the only things that are safe to store on the cloud is data that is worthless both to you and anyone else. Again, why put it on the cloud?

Click to expand...

I'm not a fan of the cloud either and don't intend using it just yet but I think you are wrong on the encryption since data can be secured when you use appropriate software e.g. Truecrypt - it is just a pain to have to go to the lengths of having very secure passwords or passphrases. It is a myth that strong encryption can be cracked - at least in our lifetime. You have evidence?

Hum pincushion I guess if you had enough machines working on it anything could e cracked as they did per the Enigma machine during WW2.

I know that was a slightly less a high tech set up than now but the mere torrent of malware that sneeks out and in is testament to those who really want to get at you - or me

To quote my late Mum "where there is a will there is a way"

As the old saying goes, make something foolproof and you'll get a bigger fool.

Any means of data encryption is vulnerable to some extent (regardless of what experts might suggest); the most secure option we have is to simply not share that data in the first place (short of not creating/having that data in the first place!).