This is the Future

[saptech]

So says Mark Shuttleworth...

Shuttleworth's one device: The smartphone is the tablet and the PC | ZDNet

 

[MoodyBlues]

This is the Future

So says Mark Shuttleworth...

Not for me! I'll continue using a nice, wide laptop with a full-size keyboard until they're not made any more. Oh, I'll keep my desktops around as backups, too. And I'll *NEVER* ever rely on a 'cloud' to store my valuable files. Anyone who's ever lost their ability to connect to the Internet should be able to understand why.

 

[9to5cynic]

Here's some more from the proverbial horse's mouth:
Devices - Ubuntu on the PC, the TV, the tablet and the phone | Ubuntu

I think it'd be a pretty cool idea. It's like what a lot of people [citation needed] use laptops for. They can be a mobile workstation, or docked / connected to external monitors/keyboards/mice... I like it.

I know that Canonical has lost face among some linux users with a few of their choices, but I like this 'one device to rule them all' idea.

Though, I'd still probably rather have a beefed up traditional computer for a lot of things.

EDIT: Oh, yeah, I still have more faith in non-cloud storage. Totally ignored that part. To me, cloud is best used for backup / collaboration. But that's me.

 

[saptech]

I agree with both of you. I do not trust the cloud with vital information. As I get older, I need a bigger screen for these ole eyes also. I do like my desktop/tower system at home, which I use more then any other hardware.

 

[MoodyBlues]

I agree with both of you. I do not trust the cloud with vital information.

Honestly, I shake my head in disbelief every time I hear 'the cloud' being touted as the greatest thing since sliced bread. The very idea of non-local storage is STUPID beyond all description as far as I'm concerned. I've been without Internet access numerous times, for as long as three weeks, due to tornadoes, storms, power outages, etc., and if I relied on cloud storage--with no local hard drives--I'd have been at a dead standstill during those outages. Instead, I could work on designs for my shops (and upload them after getting re-connected), play Roller Coaster Tycoon, access documents and images and...WHATEVER else I wanted! I just cannot imagine relinquishing total control over my own data.

Now, using cloud storage as a backup makes sense. I've been doing that concept for decades, i.e., off-site storage of important backups. But as the ONLY storage? Maybe when hell freezes over.

As I get older, I need a bigger screen for these ole eyes also.

You and me both, kiddo...you and me both.

 

[9to5cynic]

Honestly, I shake my head in disbelief every time I hear 'the cloud' being touted as the greatest thing since sliced bread. The very idea of non-local storage is STUPID beyond all description as far as I'm concerned. I've been without Internet access numerous times, for as long as three weeks, due to tornadoes, storms, power outages, etc., and if I relied on cloud storage--with no local hard drives--I'd have been at a dead standstill during those outages. Instead, I could work on designs for my shops (and upload them after getting re-connected), play Roller Coaster Tycoon, access documents and images and...WHATEVER else I wanted! I just cannot imagine relinquishing total control over my own data.

Now, using cloud storage as a backup makes sense. I've been doing that concept for decades, i.e., off-site storage of important backups. But as the ONLY storage? Maybe when hell freezes over.


You and me both, kiddo...you and me both.

As someone who's main Internet connection is a dial up line, I can't agree with this more.

 

[zuben el genub]

I won't use it. I still have stuff backed up on floppies! (machine embroidery files)
What would worry me about any cloud is the RIAA and its ilk getting license to snoop through and taking down legitimate files that you bought.

I bought a lot of those embroidery files years ago, the digitizer is no longer in business. If someone yells copyright, I have no proof. The same could happen with music, books, even if you are not sharing and it is covered under fair use.

I like my desktop as I have room to use a tablet and plenty of places to hook one up. The printers are right there. Plus one is dual boot, so I can enjoy using Ubuntu, and switch over to XP to use Adobe. (2 different HD)

 

[Bob Maxey]

And I'll *NEVER* ever rely on a 'cloud' to store my valuable files. Anyone who's ever lost their ability to connect to the Internet should be able to understand why.

To be fair, I use Dropbox and I have access to everything in my DFT account even if I cannot connect to the Internet.

I do NOT store valuable personal financial data online, however.

 

[Bob Maxey]

I agree with both of you. I do not trust the cloud with vital information. As I get older, I need a bigger screen for these ole eyes also. I do like my desktop/tower system at home, which I use more then any other hardware.

Every time we read about this or that being hacked and compromised, we are usually told it "will not happen again." Then it does. Seems the stories are weekly events; something, somewhere has been compromised.

I keep tons of crap in my DB account, but I still have local access. I use DB because some things I need to access from other places. What I just cannot see happening is my personal info finding its way to the Cloud. I just do not trust the security. Not sure it will ever be total security, so I avoid the problem by keeping certain things on a laptop that never sees an Internet connection

Should I ever need to store financial data and other vital info "in the clouds..." I'll resort to strong encryption like TrueCrypt which can be quite secure.

Better yet, I tell people to simply assume that everything you store in the clouds will be compromised at some point and then decide what you can live with being made public.

 

[pbf98]

I've been saying this for the past 4 years lol.. And I really think it will happen, instead of buying PCs with high specs, we will be buying phones with high specs. Then for easier use we will have docs in the shape of laptops (as we have seen with a few androids already) and docs that connect wirelessly to a monitor, speakers keyboard, and mouse.

They will be powerful enough to run games for gamers and do everything else that a computer user wants it to do.

I really believe that is the future of computing and smartphones, certainly not the present, it will take some time for all of it to be a reasonable price for all consumers

 

[Bob Maxey]

So says Mark Shuttleworth...

Shuttleworth's one device: The smartphone is the tablet and the PC | ZDNet

I do not see it happening. Sorry, Mark, but you are likely wrong.

 

[Speed Daemon]

Never underestimate the power of consumerism(2).

"2: the theory that an increasing consumption of goods is economically desirable;
also : a preoccupation with and an inclination toward the buying of consumer goods."

People will continue to flock to "IT Lite" products as they spend more time sloughing off and not doing real work. The commercial Internet and the <Ctrl><Tab> move were the beginning of the end of IT user productivity. The so-called "smart" phone is the ultimate <Ctrl><Tab> move. You can look like you're pondering serious business decisions while you fling pigs at birds.

Yes, this product will continue to be a big seller. So what?

As an actual tool it's more like the tiny screwdriver on my keyring. Hardly ideal, but there. Its single best feature is that it's truly portable. It's always there. That's not a replacement, that's settling for less. I refuse to carry this thing around like an eternal "egg baby" high school assignment.

Sent from my full-size PC.

 

[MoodyBlues]

Microsoft employees hacked; Azure cloud service inaccessible

:aetsch: :hahaha: :laugh:

I'm glad I not only don't use ANY micro$oft products, but that I think cloud storage is, as I believe I've mentioned before, STUPID!!

latimes.com

By Salvador Rodriguez

5:28 PM PST, February 22, 2013

It was a rough Friday for Microsoft, which suffered a major outage with its Azure cloud-storage service and revealed that it too was a victim of a large hack that hit big tech companies this week.

The Redmond, Wash., tech company said some of its employees' computers were breached as part of a hack that affected Facebook and Apple in a similar way.

"During our investigation, we found a small number of computers, including some in our Mac business unit, that were infected by malicious software using techniques similar to those documented by other organizations," Microsoft said in a statement Friday afternoon.

The company said it does not believe any user data was stolen.

Separately, Microsoft said user data on another service became inaccessible Friday because of technical issues.

Microsoft said that its Windows Azure cloud computing platform, which is used by programmers, was down because of a "worldwide outage" caused by an expired security certificate. That expired certificate prevents users from accessing the service using a secure protocol.

"We are validating the recovery options before implementing them," Microsoft said on a Web page with information regarding Azure's status. "Further updates will be published to keep you apprised of the situation. We apologize for any inconvenience this causes our customers."

Copyright

 

[mikedt]

BBC is carrying the same story.
BBC News - Hackers attack Microsoft computers

"At the time, Facebook said it had traced a cyber attack back to China which had infiltrated employees' laptops."

I think possibly use the cloud storage, but just assume that you might not be able to get at your stuff on occasions, unless you keep a local copy as well. And assume it could go public for the whole world to see at any time, as @Bob Maxey suggested. So don't upload anything confidential that you don't want anyone else to see. Or if you do, use strong encryption on your own computer before you upload, that you know has no back-doors to it, like TrueCrypt.

 

[!on]

As has been said, cloud is OK for some things, but not others. It may serve as a backup if only as a middleman when migrating to other hardware, then deleting the middleman. But most people already have a physical back up solution.

Cloud would be best for home TV & audio to access media. The trouble with cloud at the moment is, it's kinda novelty so people tend to forget it's there.

It DOES have some plus points say when out with just your phone you can access things but with hacking attempts are people likely to trust them with anything other than media files?

Also, our networks are still being mean with data usage, so it will always be the case of mobile networks holding up the progress of technology!

It's a nice idea & I think ubuntu could be the one size fits all OS... but as far as storage is concerned, our phones will have the big SSD & connect to our TV either by USB or WiFi, we will input using our phones screen or other keyboard.

 

[mikedt]

Shuttleworth's one device: The smartphone is the tablet and the PC | ZDNet

Instead of carrying three devices &#8212; a smartphone, tablet, and laptop, all of which would have discrete storage and memory, and would have to be independently managed &#8212; the user would just carry the smartphone and have attachable modules, such as a tablet screen, a large high-definition display, a detachable keyboard and wireless human interface devices that the smartphone would plug into or communicate with.

So instead of having three distinct devices, each one with a purpose and is good at it's particular task. e.g. a smart-phone makes for a rather poor 'laptop', that's true. You're supposed to carry around some kind of kit-of-parts affair, that's trying to be a jack of all trades and master of none?

 

[!on]

That's the thing about smartphones. The touchscreen. Old phones with buttons are disappearing. Things with less moving parts last longer.
So here we have, at the other end of the scale, someone suggesting we carry these plastic parts. It won't work, we'll break them, loose them.... no.

I don't have detachable limbs, it's bad enough I have to use a knife & fork!

 

[mikedt]

That's the thing about smartphones. The touchscreen. Old phones with buttons are disappearing. Things with less moving parts last longer.
So here we have, at the other end of the scale, someone suggesting we carry these plastic parts. It won't work, we'll break them, loose them.... no.

I don't have detachable limbs, it's bad enough I have to use a knife & fork!

And I eat with chopsticks. However I don't eat with some kind of Swiss Army knife thing that also functions as a meat cleaver or a blender, where the various parts could break or I might lose them.