Cloud computing, mist or real?

[MASONTX]

I have been hearing a lot about "Cloud Computing". Personally I don't like the idea of my apps, data, etc. being stored on the net. I see cons, but not many pro's to the idea. Too many potentials for lost data, stolen data, or just not able to connect, so unable to get to your data and aps. I'm old fashioned, I want to know my data is available on my local computer, and that if the net is down, I can still work/play.

What do the other members think?

[GNU-Fan]

The same.

[hazel]

I absolutely agree. I have used Google Docs for a Beginner's Guide to Debian that I was working on with a few other folk from the Debian Forums, but I would never use it for my personal documents. Why would people who try so hard to prevent others from hacking into their computer put its contents out on the web for everyone to rifle through?

[techieMoe]

For some applications it's handy. I keep my cell phone numbers in Google and it's saved me from a meltdown more than once (pulling them down when my phone had to be replaced and the backup I made failed).

My website is cloudy now. I do all the development for it online using the tools provided by my host. Of course, I do have a scheduled snapshot of the site sent to my computer periodically. I also have a service (another cloud) called Backupify, which makes backups of my various online accounts regularly and sends me archives I can download and burn to a physical disk.

As for security, there's not much I leave online that's private. My site, obviously, is public by design. Do I see myself foregoing the idea of any local apps for doing everything in the cloud (essentially going back to the dumb terminal/mainframe days)? No. The cloud has its uses, but I'll never rely on it completely.

[elija]

I couldn't agree more. My data is on my machine. I suspect the whippersnappers will be more accepting of storing their data somewhere as it becomes more and more normal.

[MASONTX]

I asked the question, because I figured I must be missing something. It seems like everybody and their brother are jumping on the "Cloud", if you believe the ads. Glad to hear from the forum that I haven't missed anything afterall.

[Cabhan]

Well, I think there are obvious advantages to the cloud.

For instance, I use a service called Dropbox. It creates a folder on my computer, and anything that goes into that folder is immediately synchronized with all of my other computers with Dropbox installed, and is also made available to me through the Dropbox website.

You can also look at the case of web e-mail. Your e-mail is stored online in the cloud so that you can access it from any computer through (for instance) GMail's web interface, or from your IMAP client.

You can also look at somewhat more non-traditional cloud uses like EC2, which basically creates computers for you in the cloud. You can then run anything you want on them, as well as simply send off a command and get more computers.

It's basically a disconnect between your physical hardware and your capabilities. There are obvious security holes here, but I believe the idea is very sound, and I expect that we will see more and more of it in the future. If you are worried about your security, you can always go with a cloud provider who you trust, or simply encrypt your documents before uploading them.

[Lakshmipathi]

It has definite advantage for companies. Say you need 1000 machines to test some product.Instead of getting 1000 machines and maintaining them using large team of system admins -If you use cloud machines ttest whatever you want and throw it away.You need couple system admin though.


But Cloud for personal use - I find it useful . Just couple of years back , when I go internet cafe - I can't view/use my PDF attachments or .odt sheet. Because most internet cafe runs pirated/old windoze machines. Now with cloud ,I don't need to worry about Internet cafe , I can use them over cloud application.

I found hosting a website on cloud is very expensive ,though. Cloud gives amazing flexibility but lot of security issue.But I won't use cloud for personal data

Even using Virual machines on local machine is so useful nowadays. We can try something on different distros , in a matter of seconds now. Earlier ,we used to grab a CD and install and fix grub etc etc...

Cloud is good for personal use ,If that cloud environment is used only by you.
Cloud environment shared my many people , is also useful as long as you don't have personal data.

[GNU-Fan]

It seems like everybody and their brother are jumping on the "Cloud", if you believe the ads.

Well, everybody and their brother is putting private information on FB and using operating systems they don't control. So, for them, clouding must be the logical next step.

[MASONTX]

Would the logical destination of the cloud movement be a computer with minimal capability on its own, that uses the cloud for all of its functions?