Rain Cloud Computing

[Moonliner]

Finally, A long haired hippy type has come out against (http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2008/sep/29/cloud.computing.richard.stallman)the evil that is "Cloud Computing".

In the IT world it really helps to have a long haired hippy type in your corner.

Beware the cloud. The cloud is evil.

[CoasterMatt]

He sounds like Admiral Ackbar...

[lashbear]

Still, just look at how much people have stored on Googles servers. I know people who store work docs and password docs and lots of admin type emails.

[Alex]

The flaw in the argument is the assumption that most people want control. For most stuff, I don't particularly care if I have complete control. If Google were to delete my Gmail account tomorrow it would be a two-day annoyance and I'd quickly move on.

And I'm more than willing to trade the privacy risk for convenience. When I'm not, I keep it on my own computer.

[Moonliner]

I wonder if more people will start to care about their information being stored in the cloud after what happend to Palin and her Yahoo email account.

[Alex]

Probably not.

The assumption seems to be that people just aren't aware of the risks. To an extent that is true but I have little doubt that 90% of the people would still use these products just as aggressively because they think the tradeoffs are worthwhile.

[Moonliner]

Probably not.

The assumption seems to be that people just aren't aware of the risks. To an extent that is true but I have little doubt that 90% of the people would still use these products just as aggressively because they think the tradeoffs are worthwhile.

Sadly true. Perhaps if it makes in into an episode of CSI people will perk up a bit....

[Alex]

That is predicated on the assumption that people should be bothered. I'm not particularly convinced that is true.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

This guy seems like a bit of an extremist to me. Cloud computing's pros seem strong enough to outweigh the cons (including privacy issues) in enough cases to make it plenty viable. I have no huge issues with it.

I wonder if more people will start to care about their information being stored in the cloud after what happend to Palin and her Yahoo email account.Do you not use an online account? I remember the bad old days of only being able to see all my email at home. I am ok with being in Google's hands, and I am well aware that they have inordinate amounts of information on me. Such is the modern age. I understand the risks and the possibilities.

[Moonliner]

That is predicated on the assumption that people should be bothered. I'm not particularly convinced that is true.

And yet, you do keep your private information out of the cloud.

When I'm not, I keep it on my own computer.




Do you not use an online account?


Absolutly! However I use them to protect my privacy not the other way round. For example, I'm always signing up a various web sites for things that require you to validate via email. I use a dedicated Gmail account just for that. I also use Google docs for a few hobby type things I share with friends. Pretty much everything else I keep locked up in the home email/file server.

[Alex]

No, I don't necessarily keep all my private information local. I just keep what little information I am super concerned about local (and that isn't even necessarily private information).

But I'm still not seeing a concern about the cloud unless there is a fear that personal computers are somehow going to go away.

I'd still maintain that within the area of privacy advocacy there is a big disconnect between how much the advocates care about privacy and how much the average person cares about it and what their price is for giving it up.

[€uroMeinke]

Hmmm seems my post this morning never made it to the page, but rather yhan recreate it, I'll just say I agree with Alex.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Hmmm seems my post this morning never made it to the page, but rather yhan recreate it, I'll just say I agree with Alex.
Google probably stole it to use against you.