Have you seen the Microsoft commercials where everyone goes to "the cloud?" Ever wonder what cloud they are talking about? There are some who say cloud computing is the next big technological breakthrough, but there is a darker truth lurking within the cloud.
To simplify the concept of cloud computing, it is best to think of an apartment building. In an apartment building, you rent the space you are living in, but you don't own the building. Cloud computing is similar, whereas your computer would be more of an access point than a work horse. Your computer would allow you access to a virtual server, which would be able to run all your applications and programs. If you have ever used remote access to log into another computer from your laptop, you should be fairly familiar with cloud computing. Basically, your computer would be the gateway to the unlimited resources of the cloud.
The cloud would provide all the memory, RAM, data storage, etc. that you would ever need. The upside is that you wouldn't have to buy expensive equipment but you'd still be able to run the most memory-intensive programs. You would also be able to log into your account at anytime and anywhere in the world. If you use Hotmail or Yahoo, this is the basic concept behind their web-based email. You would pay per use and not be subject to high traffic rates. So what are the cons?
Cloud computing may be the next big threat to individualism. Since your computer would only be a portal, your data would be stored in the cloud. A company would store your data for you, and they would allow you to access it at any time. Could the cloud ever claim ownership, like Google did with their Google Chrome User Agreement?
Microsoft already launched their Azure platform, which is a cloud-based operating system. Cloud computing may soon be everywhere. I am all for innovation, but it seems that with every new technological breakthrough comes ten different ways to infringe upon our privacy, individualism, and rights.
Stay smart. Stay informed.
© 2010 Nate Phillipps
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