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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.
I suppose that could be offset against energy/cooling costs and ground rent, but ... I'm pretty sure that in terms of square feet, a yacht costs more than an apartment.
Forget taxes. What about when a person is required for maintenance? (For example: ship electrical systems) You will need more manpower as a land-based server farm, but now you have to have living quarters or several fast boats to get your people from the shore to the boat. I bet Google was just patenting this idea for patents sake.
[..] but I wonder how they plan to get a bandwidth pipe large enough and still be reliable.
I don't think a pipe on the bottom of the ocean is your biggest concern when you put hundreds of thousands of computers on a man made island, exposed to possible tsunamis and hurricanes.
And while we're at it, have they thought of the possibility of terrorist attacks? If they're outside any jurisdiction, they also have no military power to protect them from planes, boats, subs and whatnot.
Full Tilt
This is rather interesting... If they want to make themselves immune from any one nation's laws then they will also be making themselves immune from said nation's protection. Given that, would Google, or a company like it, form alliances and/or some sort of military?
I know this is thinking way ahead, but that prospect opens up a whole new can of worms. IMHO, I think I'd rather have companies answering to governments (depending on the government of course), but that's just me.
Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer announces a multi-billion dollar investment in a fleet of submarines.
You kid, but wait till Google has some shit that China, Iran, or even the US doesn't like. Or Greenpeace or some other aggressive group doesn't like.
Accidents do happen at sea!
It would need its own defensive and offensive systems. Basically this floating data center is also a floating target. I could imagine a well placed "torpedo" accidently being discharged and watch the floating gold mine bubble its way down to the depths of the ocean
Either that or Google plans on hiring mercenaries...er wait.... private contractors for protection. International waters, they could have their own navy if they wanted.
That's true, but just as countries offering flags of convenience (Liberia, Cambodia) are happy to do away with other hassles shipowners don't like (taxes, safety regulations, inspections) I'm sure they'd be willing to accommodate Google's needs in the very unlikely event that this happens.
What I'm listening to now on Pandora...
But several countries (Brazil and USA to name 2 cases) required Google to give their user's data to government agencias, or to censor content to comply with local laws.
"Don't be evil" looks like an ok policy. But following law is good or evil? and what if that law (or at least the people behind it) is evil?
Google has pending plans...
Nonsense. Google has a patent application. Which means that someone, somewhere, inside Google had this nifty idea, and a patent search thought it might be original. In corporations these days, the standing instructions are that if an idea is patentable, patent it - even if it is stupid or appears unworkable. This idea may be no more than bullshit round the water cooler.
Corporations want to build up a big patent portfolio. Financial types see that as good, which ups the stock price. And they want lots of patents in their pocket for when you get to a patent shoot-out (or to be so dangerous that one is pre-empted. The idea is that when someone accuses you of infringing a patent, you dump a huge pile of patents on the table and say "I bet you're infringing one of these".
So this article is a massive hype from a straw in the wind. Google is always thinking about datacentres, and this is a patent on an original, if not vary practical, thought.
Consciousness is an illusion caused by an excess of self consciousness.
So will Google have to have armed guards to shoot pirates? Is killing people to protect your servers considered "evil" ?
“Common sense is not so common.” — Voltaire
What the hell do you think runs between AUSTRALIA AND THE REST OF THE WORLD?
Christ, there are special ships to lay under-sea cables (one used to port in Newcastle where I used to live), it's not like it's a mammoth task. Start feed at shore... pilot boat until you get to anchored barged... plug in.
Google is a company with an oversupply of young over-educated technological Grade-Point Angels (people whose most singular talent is to convince their teachers to give them high grades in order that the teachers will be able to reflect in their angel's glory). These people have a tendency to actually believe their fantasies, especially the fantasies that involve both ecology and advanced technology.
If you don't have a dream
How you gonna have a dream come true ?
the FairTax would solve the problem of companies fleeing the US for less punishing taxation.
Don't be too harsh on them. Most of their movies and games are based around solving problems through violence.
Someone wants to steal from you, harm you or something like that? Stop him. That doesn't mean "use deadly force". Try to talk to the guy in order to reduce the tension. That doesn't work? Just shoot his legs, punch him in the throat, kick him in the testicles or use any other non-deadly ways of -STOPPING- him. Don't "headshot" the stupid bastard!
I know it's easier to say it's either white or black, but life's problems are mostly grey. People need to start thinking.
The USA attacks other countries "in defence" so don't expect their culture to be too different from that.
That's right cripple him so he can sue you in court. You saved your family, but your children's college fund is now empty and your house was foreclosed by the court.
Being dead is less expensive than being crippled. Getting sued by family members is less severe than getting sued by a quadriplegic in a wheel chair. Even a guy who has to have his two crushed testicles removed can be a major liability. In many places with bad courts (California) they figure since no amount of money will replace the function of testicles they might as well just take all your money and give it to the criminal.
If you ignore the morality of the situation and focus on the legal aspects, it makes no sense to shoot someone's kneecaps or punch him in the throat.
“Common sense is not so common.” — Voltaire