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Google's Floating Datahaven

PDG writes "Google has pending plans to take its data centers off-shore, literally. By moving their data centers to floating barges in international waters, they are able to save money on taxes and electricity (using wave based power) as well as reside their operations outside the jurisdiction of governments. There is mention of hurricane and other caveats, but I wonder how they plan to get a bandwidth pipe large enough and still be reliable. Seems like a chapter out of a Neal Stephenson novel." You might recall earlier discussions on the same subject.

18 of 450 comments (clear)

  1. In other news... by Dystopian+Rebel · · Score: 5, Funny

    Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer announces a multi-billion dollar investment in a fleet of submarines.

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    1. Re:In other news... by lord_sarpedon · · Score: 5, Funny

      Ha! And you think Google isn't prepared for that?

      Google Android...a platform for "mobile phones" huh.
      The Dalvik virtual machine sounds kinda like Dalek to me. Coincidence? Or killer robot defense force that also doubles as WiFi hotspots?

      I hear they're launching stuff into space now too.

      --
      "Strangers have the best candy" -Me
    2. Re:In other news... by rarel · · Score: 5, Funny

      GOO-GLE-MI-NA-TE!

    3. Re:In other news... by Instine · · Score: 4, Funny

      I'm sure they'll listen to Reason

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      Because you can - or because you should?
  2. That's because... by InfinityWpi · · Score: 5, Funny

    You see, Neal was born in 2014, he was only allowed to come back in time if he wrote some 'science fiction' novels that would cover up the fact he was a time traveller by just making him look like he made some lucky guesses.

    1. Re:That's because... by Twyst3d · · Score: 5, Funny

      Keep an eye out for kayaking Eskimos with glass knives IMO

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  3. bandwidth by MrKaos · · Score: 4, Funny

    but I wonder how they plan to get a bandwidth pipe large enough and still be reliable

    Google satellites of course!

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    1. Re:bandwidth by Waffle+Iron · · Score: 4, Funny

      Never underestimate the bandwidth of a rubber dinghy loaded to capacity with USB thumb drives.

    2. Re:bandwidth by rootofevil · · Score: 4, Funny

      its the latency that kills you

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    3. Re:bandwidth by lord_sarpedon · · Score: 5, Funny

      Latency can be reduced significantly if they begin sending your results a mere moment before you submit your search.

      This feature requires you to be signed in I think.

      --
      "Strangers have the best candy" -Me
    4. Re:bandwidth by robertjw · · Score: 3, Funny

      but I wonder how they plan to get a bandwidth pipe large enough and still be reliable

      Google satellites of course!

      Shouldn't that be Google Skynet?

    5. Re:bandwidth by jcwayne · · Score: 3, Funny

      No, it's the sharks.

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  4. patent!? by zoefff · · Score: 5, Funny

    From the article it's clear that they want to patent the idea.
    I don't understand that. What's the use of a patent if somebody infringing it is also in international waters and not bounded to patent law?

    1. Re:patent!? by Timesprout · · Score: 3, Funny

      They are going to enter the patent in the Pirate Code.

      All disputes to be settled by broadsides should parlay fail.

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  5. Re:One word... by Tubal-Cain · · Score: 5, Funny

    Don't worry. Each barge has a team of ninjas assigned to it to fight off pirates.

  6. Re:I'm curious by Rob+T+Firefly · · Score: 4, Funny

    if they have any plans to deal with corrosive salts from the oceans?

    They're breeding a dolphin/deer hybrid to swim around the facility and lick off the salt.

  7. Re:Remember that Total Information Awareness plan? by Talderas · · Score: 5, Funny

    Follow the law is neither good or evil. It's being lawful, which is the opposite of chaotic. That being said, as long as you're not a paladin, you don't have to worry about laws that aren't good.

    --
    "Lack of speed can be overcome. In the worst case by patience." --Znork
  8. Its been done before by bizitch · · Score: 3, Funny

    Why doesn't Google just buy Sealand?

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principality_of_Sealand

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