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Microsoft Is Working On a Cloud Operating System For the US Government

Posted by timothy on from the like-a-sticky-enveloping-fog-of-goo dept.

SmartAboutThings writes "It seems that Microsoft is relying even more on the opportunities provided by the cloud technology. The Redmond behemoth is preparing to come up with a cloud operating system that is specially meant for government purposes. Government agencies already use two of Microsoft's basic cloud products: Windows Azure and Windows Server. But now it seems that Microsoft is working on a modified version of its somewhat new Cloud OS that could bear the name 'Fairfax.' Compared to Windows Azure, the 'Fairfax' cloud operating system would provide enhanced security, relying on physical servers on site at government locations. Given that CEO Steve Ballmer is striving to make Microsoft much more than a powerful software giant, such a project makes sense, especially because it would help in their lobby activities."

9 of 171 comments (clear)

  1. cloud OS ? by etash · · Score: 5, Insightful

    you mean like unix was a "cloud" OS and you could connect via dumb terminals to it?

    1. Re:cloud OS ? by Teresita · · Score: 5, Funny

      SpyDrive

  2. Re:It actually would make sense... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    " if they attempt to defect to another nation"

    The primary concern of the US government seems to be that NSA employees will defect to the American public. Snowden has been charged with espionage for spying on our behalf, so I think we're officially the enemy.

  3. This is an advance? by Sir+Holo · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I don't get it. How do they call it "in the cloud" if the servers are located on-site? Isn't that what we started with decades ago –– a server and dumb terminals (er, excuse me, a thin client)? And storage is so cheap these days!

    Yes, it's safer to have everything physically in-house (or securely co-located). But, what I can't fathom is how any of the purchasing-department types and manager-types fall for this "new" setup that offers no advantages. It's just handcuffing your company to that one vendor.


    /CSB: At a former company, upper management studied options for getting off of Lotus Notes, the biggest heap of crap I've ever seen. The conclusion of their expensive study was that, "We can't afford to get off of Lotus Notes. The change-over would be too expensive."

    I think IBM got wind of the study, and raised their price even more for the next renewal.

    1. Re:This is an advance? by game+kid · · Score: 5, Funny

      "I don't get it. How do they call it "in the cloud" if the servers are located on-site?"

      Carefully. Microsoft believes any sufficiently nebulous implementation is indistinguishable from something patentworthy.

      --
      You can hold down the "B" button for continuous firing.
  4. in short, they want to be IBM by AndroSyn · · Score: 5, Interesting

    It sure sounds like Microsoft wants to be like Big Blue, making their big bucks in consulting services. It seems to be working out okay for them, I'm not entirely sure Microsoft however can manage not to shoot themselves in the foot in trying it.

  5. "Cloud Technology" by FuzzNugget · · Score: 5, Insightful

    For fuck's sake, "cloud" is not a technology, it's the latest marketing scam to get everyone relinquish control of their devices and data to the modern equivalent of the mainframe.

    1. Re:"Cloud Technology" by Dcnjoe60 · · Score: 5, Insightful

      For fuck's sake, "cloud" is not a technology, it's the latest marketing scam to get everyone relinquish control of their devices and data to the modern equivalent of the mainframe.

      Well of course. How else do vendors expect to monetize your data if it is sitting on your local machine in your posession? Now that computers are a commodity and there isn't any money to be made from selling hardware and software, they need to find something to charge for. In the past they charged you to use their program to create your data. Now they want to charge you to actually store and access your data.

      It has nothing to do with the technology it is all about the money. Well that and the marketing to convince everbody that this is somehow new and better.

  6. MS and the US Government together? by korbulon · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Ron Swanson said it best: "Never half-ass two things:. Whole-ass one thing."