70% of Microsoft Staff are Working on the Cloud

[hardwarekid9756]

until we can nail down identity protection (gov't issued Digital-domain ID numbers, with real-time usage tracking, Like a SSN on steroids, anyone?) and we can get encryption universal and used correctly (people STILL use "password" for their password!?) the cloud is never going to realize it's true potential. And, also, until we can get serious regulation on the internet (God forbid), it'll never happen. As long as the internet is the wild wild west, it's never going to become anything. (Not saying its good or bad, just presenting info).

 

[cryogenic]

The cloud is not for users directly, it is for services run by internet companies, you already use [insert company x] servers and you give them your data: emails, chat, pictures, videos.

Home computers will not go away, but the dependency of cloud computing will increase. We already use a ton of them , webmail, flicker, twitter, youtube, facebook, chat clients, gaming clients, social networks, they all are services on the web, cloud or not cloud based (but that's irrelevant) the usage of such services is increasing every year, in those circumstances cloud computing makes allot of sense for companies or startups that want to offer interned services.

 

[ravewulf]

Eventually, yes. But it could take a few decades before it is reliable and in use by enough people before I can fully trust it.

 

[Guest]

All of you nay-sayers better get with the program. I believe in 10-20 years, ALL of our data will be stored in the cloud. The PC will be a thing of the past, and the Media Center (some sort of combination of your TV, PC, telephone, etc) will incorporate all of our activities communication technologies into one cheaply replaceable box. We will have a subscription based service to pay for how many units we can access, then we will have a subscription based system for the kinds of programs/communication platforms we will use.

You IT guys out there who do not see this in the near future better think again. M$ is not wrong on this one... It will happen whether we like it or not. Look at how Cable television has evolved over the years. Do you take your TV to the TV repair guy any more?

 

[wymer100]

@babybeluga

Danger (now owned by MS) uses cloud computing for their Sidekick phones. MS updated their database last year and lost all of the data for a month or two. That's the problem with cloud storage of cell phone data.

 

[Dkz]

There is no chance for that cloud thing... My pictures, my work, no way.

 

[killerclick]

The devil's advocate: The problems with cloud computing are nothing new. You have a risk of losing data if your hard drive fails. You have a risk of losing data and privacy if you get a virus or if your computer is stolen. My dad uses webmail only and keeps most of his files in online storage. He had his laptop stolen once (mugged actually), had a hard drive failure on his desktop a few years back... so he sees the web as the safest place for his data. The web mail and online storage I set up for him is automatically backed up daily, is encrypted and paid $40 per year in advance. That's not a lot of money for a system that's proven to be more secure than his laptop is. Also, that price is going to drop dramatically as more people start using these services. As for privacy, your ISP can even now read your e-mail and see all your web activities.

 

[tayb]

No way I'm storing my data in the cloud. I encrypt my hard drive on my laptop and desktop and the only people who even have access to that crap is me and my wife.

I also have to ask why. The only time I've used online storage is to upload a large document that was too big to email and then let me friend log in and download it from a different area. That's the ONLY time I ever use my online storage. My laptop is portable and my flash drive is even more portable. I have no desire to relinquish control over my files to anyone and especially not Google or Microsoft.

"I'm sorry, the server is undergoing routine maintenance. Please check back in later this evening to retrieve your files." No fucking way.

 

[dark_lord69]

Does this mean we are getting a sequel to Final Fantasy 7?!!!

 

[Guest]

My big problem with the Cloud is my ISP. Charter Communnications regularly screws up and either my internet goes out, or is so incredibly slow as to be unuseable... until that gets fixed, I'll limit what I do in the 'cloud' as much as possible.

 

[Guest]

I seem to remember Bill Gates saying that Tablet PC's where the future, I guess we haven't waited long enough yet? I left Windows about 6 years ago, I'm leaving Palm behind when my current device croaks. I do not trust anyone with my personal data except me! I want to keep my own backups and control my own security. They don't realize yet that people are no longer technologically illiterate. Most of todays students know about Linux as well as other technologies to accomplish their goals without the M$ bloated DRM infested Clouds. I bet they'll mandate cloud accounts in order to purchase harware they didn't design or build, just like I'm forced to purchase Windows if I buy a PC. That's like Ford saying you cant buy a car from them unless it has a pioneer stereo (even if your legally def)

 

[ram1009]

I wonder where Microsoft stores their data, hmmmmm?

 

[marsax73]

[citation][nom]Dkz[/nom]There is no chance for that cloud thing... My pictures, my work, no way.[/citation]

Never say never. Who would of thought 10 years ago that our home pc's would be running quad core CPUs, 8 gigs of memory, 2 TB Hard drives and optical media that can hold 25 gigs of data? Cloud computing isn't good now but whose to say in 10-15 years that they hash out the privacy thing.

 

[False_Dmitry_II]

[citation][nom]danponjican[/nom]Most of us a gen x-ers here... we still value privacy a little. The thing is... the next generation (call them what every you want... gen Y) values privacy VERY little. [/citation]

I guess I'm kinda old school. I'm 22 and have none of/do none of the stuff you're talking about. I don't like it either.

 

[zak_mckraken]

I never say never, so I won't say it now. But I hardly see myself trusting the cloud for my personal data. And by personal, I mean everything. But, who knows? When I first started in IT, I thought I would never pay for a piece of software, especially not Windows. Now, I preorder my software 4-5 months before it is even released. Times change. People change. But for now? Nope.

 

[dogofwars]

Hmmmm anyone remember the Hiptop data which Microsoft was hosting!??
Still want to gave them all your data??

 

[mikeinjbay]

Never mind the privacy issues (which are my most serious concern) what MSFT and Google don't realise is than not the whole world has cheap fast broadband. In South Africa, for instance, 4mbit download/512kbit upload is about the highest speed you can expect at a reasonable cost - if $100 can be considered reasonable. We then pay arout $10 per gig for bandwidth. So, as an example, our small company's files (5 staff) has about 75GB of art files over a 2 year period. Each file needs to be retrieved and saved a few times, so nevermind the huge bandwidth costs we'd have, we would also spend half our life waiting.

 

[homeyclaus]

You mean like the clouds on the Windows 95 and 98 start-up screens?

Sorry, couldn't resist.

 

[mightysanta]

Yeah right! You can count me OUT! Geek Squad alone is known for copying peoples music AND pictures. It would be just too easy tempting. Besides I won't MY data in MY house. Not in some warehouse sized server.

 

[babybeluga]

[citation][nom]wymer100[/nom]@babybelugaDanger (now owned by MS) uses cloud computing for their Sidekick phones. MS updated their database last year and lost all of the data for a month or two. That's the problem with cloud storage of cell phone data.[/citation]

There's always a danger with the adoption of new technology...?

 

[lupinesithlord]

time to replace steve with a competent ceo then

 

[brizzelsprout]

[citation][nom]dman3k[/nom]So you trust your data to facebook over Google or Microsoft?[/citation]

well said.

Really guys? you don't want them to have access to your information? They already do, Everything you put on the internet is honestly free game to large businesses. The issue of privacy in cloud computing is not really a probmlem at all because they already have access to your information now.

 

[cletus_slackjawd]

SKYNET here we come! Here are some extra words to make this post look legit.

 

[Guest]

I hate this. This whole initiative is all about trying desperately to seize control of PCs from the user, once and for all, for the benefit of corporations. When that happens, we will have zero rights as consumers of anything 'computer' related.

 

[censoredsoft]

Get ready to be censored...

That last photo you took of your wife is a bit too racy, now its censored, or worse.

Get ready to be easily sued...

Oh you ripped a CD you bought to the cloud? The entertainment companies get that info and now you are in court, defending yourself.

Privacy and control is what you loose. Everything that you gain from cloud computing you can have with personal computing/storage.

Good backup/data management
Easy Access and Sharing

All this can be done just as well at home with typical hardware/software. Cloud space is NOT better. Microsoft and other companies are counting on people being lazy, not wanting to do it themselves. You will never have full control of your data in cloud computing as you don't have physical or administrative control over the cloud.

There will be applications and types of data that you approve of sharing (just like you choose what you put on your blog, or in your shared photos) but you will need to make that choice. Just know big brother is watching you and don't be surprised when that information is used against you.