Over at InforWorlds channel there is an interesting post about web applications. Neil McAllister gave five reasons for businesses and developers to not use web applications. Cloud computing is a very hot topic. On the one hand you have Microsoft just now stepping their toe in the cloud filled waters; Google has been pushing the cloud to every their users for years now. I have vascilated between using web applications and full-fledged applications. But lately, I've moved all my Google Docs back to my system. Even though my poor G4 PowerMac is quickly losing space, I should be able to purchase a new harddrive at about 500GB for about $100.00. And in some stores, a 1TB harddrive for about $50.00 more. I even downgraded my Gmail account to exclude all but the most basic of features.
Why the change of heart, again? Well, this post by Richard Stallman, the father of the free software movement. And some other concerns that I have had. Mainly, if a company closes their doors then what happens to my data? I don't want to produce a ton of information never to have access to it again. I still use Gmail but I just like Apple Mail more. I use to love using Google Notebook but they let that go. Evernote is now my main note-taking application. Why? Because there is a stand-alone application that I can use to access and store my notes. Now, my notes are still stored in the cloud. But if I'm that concerned about the information then I store it on my system and encrypt it with gpg.
In the long run, the cloud is great for some things but not for everything. Also, I would rather create my own personal cloud on a home server and make it accessible to only my household. And that is something that I can do on my own and makes me feel a bit more secure.
Why the change of heart, again? Well, this post by Richard Stallman, the father of the free software movement. And some other concerns that I have had. Mainly, if a company closes their doors then what happens to my data? I don't want to produce a ton of information never to have access to it again. I still use Gmail but I just like Apple Mail more. I use to love using Google Notebook but they let that go. Evernote is now my main note-taking application. Why? Because there is a stand-alone application that I can use to access and store my notes. Now, my notes are still stored in the cloud. But if I'm that concerned about the information then I store it on my system and encrypt it with gpg.
In the long run, the cloud is great for some things but not for everything. Also, I would rather create my own personal cloud on a home server and make it accessible to only my household. And that is something that I can do on my own and makes me feel a bit more secure.
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