Comments on: Cloud computing

By: matt40k

matt40k — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 11:51:53 +0000

I love the idea of Cloud computering, the idea is amazing the fact it could anyone access from any computer device. However my only question is, where is the off button?

You can get broadband sent over your electrical sockets, but, what happens when your fridge is on the net and there is a rogue virus attacking them? How do you disconnect the fridge without losing power? How do you stop someone accessing your part of the cloud system?

By: jasonslater

jasonslater — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:55:13 +0000

The notion of Cloud Computing certainly levels the playing field for both applications and operating systems – interesting times are ahead of us.

Hopefully you may find this cartoon fun

http://www.monkandhisitjunk.com/2008/10/30/monk-115-cloud-computing-an-os-in-sheeps-clothing

By: mrwebservice

mrwebservice — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 11:00:09 +0000

Rather bizarre to see Mr Fry waxing technological here. There are many strings to his bow. Some of them are clearly steel strings. Ha-ha.
Of course, business-to-consumer cloud-computing is rather easier to get a handle on than business-to-business enterprise models (yikes). These are where the real “risks” lie in outsourcing data. As Stephen says, it’s a moot point, but frankly any mooterings are chiefly a result of people’s ignorance on the matter. I’d rather have my data looked after by a private company that knows what it’s doing.
For anyone who’s remotely interested in cloud services I have a blog on the subject at my Web Service blog.

By: mralistair

mralistair — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:30:35 +0000

Also worth noting is the excellent http://www.pixlr.com/ pixlr which does an admirable job of imitating Photoshop for all those away from home image editing needs.

By: Wingrove

Wingrove — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 08:08:09 +0000

Re: Dropbox, I’d also add: http://drop.io which I’ve started using having heard about it on Adam Curry’s Daily Source Code podcast; it’s now his main inbox for listener contributed material.

I really like Stephen’s article. It’s a simple, clean introduction to Cloud Computing with great pointers to the best sites. It also demonstrates that awareness of “The Cloud” is starting to reach mainstream media. But it’s still very early days and I think the cloud is ill-defined with the big players (Amazon, Google, Microsoft and watch out for Facebook) fighting to make it their own (with their own definitions).

Large enterprise need to be very careful in the choices they make now, especially in the virtualisation space, on their road to the cloud (whatever it turns out to be). Lock-in will be a huge problem. However, they have to move fast; the cloud makes it extremely easy for smaller, agile startups and businesses to establish a huge, scaleable infrastructure very quickly. Large existing enterprise are like oil-tankers with huge momentum and investments in the dedicated servers and datacentres. It’s hard for them to change course but they’re at risk of being leapfrogged by the agile competition.

In short, even during the current financial and econonic toubles, IT infrastructure is going to be an exciting place to work.

Ian.

By: gadgetgirl

gadgetgirl — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:48:52 +0000

It sounds like you are having more luck with MobileMe than me. I still have problems with multiday events and calendar synchronisation is much less than more or less instant. Push email occasionally disappears too. However, when it does work it is lovely.

My favourite cloud service is Evernote, it syncs beautifully via a web account with my work xp machine, home macbook and is easily accessible via an iPhone application.

By: Danrok

Danrok — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:09:06 +0000

Be warned that many online programs such as Google Apps will store data in another country, the USA in the case of Google.

If your documents and files contain other people’s details, such as those of your customers, then you will most likely need each customer’s permission to export that data to another country. If you don’t have their permission, then you may find yourself on the wrong side of the law.

By: jlozinski

jlozinski — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 08:44:37 +0000

Just a note on lose the net, loose the cloud. Google docs provides their google gears which enables syncronisation of your docs and the app to your machine, so if you happen to be offline, you can still edit and then next time there’s net access you get them synced back up..

Its not ideal. as you can’t create a document that wasnt there.. but it does make it a little more workable.

By: josimh

josimh — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 18:26:03 +0000

I’m very sorry I have nothing to say on this particular article, but am delighted to have finally caught up with the 21st century and discovered this page and the podcasts, which provide me with very welcome and essential parentheses in my busy life in Spain. Having been a fan of Mr Fry since my youth, encouraged by my brother, it is wonderful to realise finally that you are not so very far away, after my 11 years in Madrid! I’ve even become a fan of QI, and look forward to plunging into this page whenever I can. Thank you for these necessary doses of humour and intelligence which help me maintain my connection with my roots. Â¡Enhorabuena!

By: janequigley

janequigley — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 18:14:27 +0000

@thaytan – many internet-based services have desktop applications that allow you to work offline. That way, you still can get things done without being connected.

I also recommend DropBox and utilize some of Zoho’s offerings. I do love 37signal’s productivity apps (all cloud-based) and have used them for years (at many companies) without any issues. They all work on my iPhone, have desktop (mac for me) apps and have tremendous support.