Cloud computing is taking over.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/11/04/cloud.computing.hunt/index.html
Do you use Google Docs? Do you upload videos to YouTube? Are all of your vacation photos on Flickr? Do you upload all of your photo albums on Facebook?
If yes, then you’re cloud computing.
According to Wikipedia, cloud computing is Internet based development and use of computer technology. The term, “cloud,” is a metaphor for the Internet. Basically, everything we do and all of our services are conducted on the Internet.
Google is one of the main companies at the forefront of this new phenomenon. There lies a possible future where computers may come without hard drives. Everything would be stored “in the clouds.” But can you trust what you can’t see? Today, we already trust online banking with our most sensitive information.
The truth really lies in a quote from the above article: “All the clouds live in data centers,” says Rich Miller, “There’s always hardware involved, and bricks and mortar. … It’s not a fluffy cloud. It’s living in someone’s building.”
Where do you see the future of computing going? Do you fully trust cloud computing? Would you completely rely on it? Do you still prefer to back up most of your information on your own hardware?
Tags: apple, flikr, google docs, mac, theconferencecall.net
I will always back up important information on personal hardware. You should never trust the cloud. It’s great for waht it offers in terms of convenience, but it should never substitute for personal space and personal records.
I agree. Uploading something to “the cloud” is really just uploading something to someone or some entity’s computer/server…
I would alway prefer the backup of a hardrive, but I think cloud computing is a great idea. Since the the world moves at light speed now, you need to be able to access information quickly. Think how great it would be to be anywhere and be able to access your “computer” and not have to lug around a hot, heavy laptop. There could be security risk, but like you said we deal with that everyday with our online banking and everything we do online now. I think as long as you are dealing with reputable companies the risk of a security breach is very minimal.
I think that’s a great idea of being able to access your computer from anywhere. I think Apple has something in place like this with the Mac. There’s a service you can purchase that allows you to copy everything on your Macbook. If your laptop happens to burn up, then you can get another one, utilize the service, and have all of your files & your laptop exactly how you left it… kind of like a system restore on steroids.
The logic is you’re still storing your information on a machine somewhere. I would still prefer to have a backup on my own machine in case, God forbid, the Google building burned down or something. LOL
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