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Doctorow On What Cloud Computing Is Really For

Posted by kdawson on from the no-silver-lining-for-you dept.

Diabolus Advocatus alerts us to an article Cory Doctorow has up on guardian.co.uk, addressing what cloud computing really means for the average consumer: "The tech press is full of people who want to tell you how completely awesome life is going to be when everything moves to 'the cloud' — that is, when all your important storage, processing and other needs are handled by vast, professionally managed data-centers. Here's something you won't see mentioned, though: the main attraction of the cloud to investors and entrepreneurs is the idea of making money from you, on a recurring, perpetual basis, for something you currently get for a flat rate or for free without having to give up the money or privacy that cloud companies hope to leverage into fortunes."

5 of 348 comments (clear)

  1. I'm not sure I understand by jasonmicron · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I've seen "Cloud Computing" around as a buzzword but I never really cared to investigate what it really was.

    I'm assuming it is essentially paying a data center to host my data from my home system? Why in the hell would I even WANT to do that?

    Or did I completely miss the bus? Something I missed?

    1. Re:I'm not sure I understand by MathFox · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Or did I completely miss the bus? Something I missed?

      You missed the lock in model of being forced to work with the applications that the cloud provider supports.

      --
      extern warranty;
      main()
      {
      (void)warranty;
      }
    2. Re:I'm not sure I understand by Insanity+Defense · · Score: 5, Insightful
      Or did I completely miss the bus? Something I missed? You missed the lock in model of being forced to work with the applications that the cloud provider supports.

      Or did I completely miss the bus? Something I missed?

      You missed the lock in model of being forced to work with the applications that the cloud provider supports.

      Also the bit where your data is locked into whatever file formats the cloud provider has and you will have difficulty maintaining your own back ups and migrating to a different provider if the current one is inadequate or fails.

      Imagine the Outer Limits Control Voice telling you how they control your data and how you use it.

      There is nothing wrong with your computer.

      Do not attempt to install software. We are controlling what you may use and do.

      We will control the file formats.

      We will control the data.

      We control all that you may do with your computer and your data.

      Experience the awe and majesty of paying us for the use of your own data in ways that we strictly control and limit.

  2. Small Monthly Fees by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Cloud computing works on the "frog in a pot" principle. Slowly increase the temperature, and the frog doesn't know it's being boiled alive.

    -Don't worry about backup, let us do it, for a small monthly fee.

    -Don't store your data locally, let us do it, for a small monthly fee.

    -Don't worry about software, let us provide it for you, for a small monthly fee.

    -Don't worry about a PC, let us provide one for you, for a small monthly fee.

    Think it won't work? It already does. Look at your cellphone. You don't own it, you don't own any of it's data, you rent it, for a couple of small monthly fees, and some small "pay per use" fees.

    Lets look at the XBOX model. You "own" the hardware, but ultimately, Microsoft gets to decide what you can do with it.

    XBox live is your "small monthly fee". Expect the next version of XBox to be a rental only agreement.

    You get all the "convenience", but none of the service guarantees, security, responsibility, etc.

    They get all your "small monthly fees", and all your personal data.

  3. Cloud relies by tepples · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Why buy a $1500 computer when you can get 100x more power from a $100 thin client and $20 a month. (or what ever)

    Because ISPs in the United States with a wireless last mile (3G or satellite) still charge on the order of $60 per month for on the order of 5 GB per month. Or because I want to do something and see the result happen without a second of lag.

    Every time you use Google you are using the cloud.

    Which is fine because I am using a service through the network to search for other resources that can be used through the network, and the resources don't need instant response. But at times, I might have no connection to the network, or I might have such a slow connection (either low bandwidth or high latency) that interacting becomes unbearable.