I've been messing with cloud Operating Systems

[blogslut]

I know. I know. Clouds r evil. In general, I agree. I prefer to own hard copies of my software.

Just the same, I am coming around to the advantages of online storage & apps as a means for backup, convenience and security. While it's vital to burn shit to media, for me, it's also nice to have online backups for my backups. That way I don't have to go digging through hundreds of CDRs or play transfer-files-from-good computer-to jumpdrive-to reformatted computer. I can just go online, open my account and download my stuff.

When it comes to online OS, I look at it this way: If I'm out of town and using someone else's computer, I can access my stuff, manipulate my settings and install what I want to install without ever storing a thing on a machine that isn't mine, except some easily-erased cookies and temp files. As well, when I'm at the bookstore, sipping coffee and enjoying free wireless, I can open up my cloud OS and surf the net without worrying some sniffy little kid is gonna bring harm to my precious baby laptop.

Anyway, I got interested in online OS a few months ago and I found one that I really like:

http://www.glidedigital.com/

It's got 30 gigs of free storage and while it's a little slow on my ancient notebook, it flows pretty nicely. I get a free email account and I can upload music and photos and (if I were so inclined) it has all kinds of software for multi-user conferencing:

[canetoad]

1. I've bookmarked that link

While generally opposed to cloud anything because one day I'm sure you'll have to pay to get your data back. However, I can see applications for this and it could be very useful. Thanks.

[hobbit709]

2. trusting someone else with your data is not security.

[blogslut]

3. Yes, I realize that

I'm not saying that using a cloud OS is any sort of be-all/and-all. As I said, I see online storage as an additional means for backup, along with hard-copy backup. As well, I mentioned using an online OS for surfing on machines that are not mine and for when I'm using an unsecure wireless connection.

Look, I will admit I'm no great genius but I do my best to keep my machine secure. I run a firewall. My home wireless uses WEP security. I have a collection of programs that block spyware/malware/scripts and notify me if baddies are messing with my startup files and existing settings. When I'm at the cafe, on public wireless, I usually boot up to Kubuntu because I feel it's a bit more difficult to hack.

I'm just suggesting that perhaps, surfing via a cloud OS might be another way to keep nearby sniffers from touching my physical machine. If I'm wrong, I would much rather someone explain to me why as opposed to posting a platitude.

[Old and In the Way]

4. I see value in this from a small business perspective.

Sharing the same business info and files is something I've tried to bring my Luddite business partners into doing. But no, they like to do everything by e-mail....which causes all kinds of problems in keeping info/everyone current and disseminated properly. I set up a DCScripts forum...that was a waste of time. My last attempt was with Google Docs, that went nowhere, too. (sigh)

[Egnever]

5. Have you messed with google wave?

https://wave.google.com/

its a great colaborating tool though still fairly buggy. I have great hopes for this though.