Cloud-Computing can be a  truly wonderful thing. Via Cloud-Computing  you to access your files and folders  from  practically anywhere (Dropbox, Sugarsync), collaborate with others who are across town or on the other side of the world (Vyew, Basecamp), and back-up your entire computer on-line (Mozy). And through Software as a Service providers (SaaS) you can even do your accounting (QuickBooks On-line), photo editing (Photoshop Express), word processing and spreadsheets (Google Docs) all on-line!

These services solve a lot of problems but we end up with a very different set of concerns.

1. Fragmented Computing.
   Now a very divergent group of companies is in charge of various aspects of what you do (or what your company does). In the “old days” if your computer had a fatal crash all of your data, applications, documents etc. were GONE. Now it will all still be there, but WHERE? This website with this login for this part, that website with that login for that part. We have gone from losing all our data, to possibly not remembering where it is or how to track it all down.
2. What if the Internet is down?
   With everything local you can, in most cases, do your work even if the internet is down. But with everything in the cloud how will you access the things you need? How will you work? I see this as a BIG issue.
3. Is it Secure?
   This is almost a non-issue…almost. There is no question that the cloud providers have more security than you do on your local network or machine. BUT they are also a MUCH bigger target. Part of the reason your home computer or office network is secure is because no one knows it’s there or what’s in it. But these big providers become a big target because they are a known entity.
4. Who will win?
   Do you remember BETA video tapes? What about HD video disks? These quality products didn’t make it. They were “beat out” by VHS and Blue-Ray respectively. We are in the same place now with cloud applications. Which “format” will survive? What companies will be there tomorrow? It’s a whole new game at the moment and we will have to wait and see what becomes of it all.

We need centralized desktops, not just diverse cloud applications. We need  a place to access everything from anywhere.  We need our information and applications accessible when the internet is unavailable. We also need access to programs that don’t exist in the cloud. Programs that may be industry specific that no one has clouded because there might not be any money in it. Once we solve these problems I will be a little less concerned about a storm coming from the cloud.

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Aloha 'til next time
Ron Charlton MCSE
President- etechs Hawaii