[NTLUG:Discuss] Cloud computing

[Fred]

Hope y'all don't mind but after sitting through yet another presentation
extolling the virtues of "The Cloud" like it was the latest present day
patent medicine sold to cure everyone's ills, I couldn't resist the urge 
to pen a missive to my lists.
Here 'tis:

A Matter of Trust
 
 Fred Stevens
 
 6-29-2011
 
 Would you give me your Social Security number? Would you 
 send me your bank statement? Would you let me know your 
 schedule so I can know when you are home (and when you are 
 not)? If not, why not? You have known me for a long time, 
 enough time to know what kind of person I am and if I would 
 safeguard your sensitive, personal data (which I would).
 
 OK, so you have decided that maybe the information I want is 
 a bit too much to give. If that is true, then why in this 
 God's green earth would you ever contemplate doing the same 
 with a totally perfect stranger?
 
 I am speaking of any - and I mean ANY - time that you give 
 that kind of information online you are entering into a 
 situation where you are assuming that the entity on the 
 other end is more deserving of your trust than someone you 
 have known for years. AND you don't have a clue as to the 
 actual workings of their data security. 
 
 Enter Cloud Computing, the next step in the wonderful 
 evolution of computing where all your data is stored "in the 
 cloud", or somewhere else besides in your computer. Imagine 
 all your Word docs, speadsheets, Quicken files, photos, 
 every piece of your life that has been computerized will now 
 be sitting out yonder somewhere "in the Cloud". Care to 
 hazard a guess about how many people are rushing out to 
 embrace this latest "progression"? Microsoft's new Office 
 365 is a major rewrite of their old reliable office suite 
 that embraces cloud computing in a big way. As far as data 
 security goes, how has their other offerings fared? What 
 makes anyone think that this will turn out any different?
 
 So, if I truly want to get your very sensitive personal 
 data, I guess I will have to put in a server here, make up 
 some catchy name and offer the service to you for a monthly 
 fee so that not only will you hand over your data, you will 
 pay me for taking it from you.
 
 You won't share that with a trusted friend but you will pay 
 to give it to a total stranger.
 
 Thank you so very much
 
 ======================