Is the Cloud overrated?

[DavidF215]

Cloud computing has its uses. I would not use another Company's hosting for business information but rather host the data on my own Company's servers accessible via a VPN.

I prefer to either have a physical product (CD/DVD) or a file on my local computer accessible at any time with or without an Internet connection; the option to download the product again is convenient, but I want the entire program locally without fees or the need for an Internet connection.

Regarding movies, the option like NetFlix is fine for movie rental, but if I want to own the entire movie, I'll buy a physical copy; there's no way I'm wasting my time or bandwidth waiting for a 8GB+ file to download when I can go to my local store to buy a professionally burned DVD/BlueRay.

Cloud computing is simply mainframe systems, thin clients, Citrix, and the likes of Outlook Web Access repackaged with Digital Distribution added to the mix. Accessibility is great for businesses as they get more revenue from monthly fees, but, as with any other product or service, buyer beware.

[DavidF215]

It just moves the problems rather then solves them. Ultimately you end up with a single point of failure that can take down your entire network and you and I both know that sooner rather then later, that'll happen. Most companies I've worked for that have played with dumb terminals have ended up dumping them and buying full blown desktops that are then locked down in every way possible. They just aren't effective.

The one advantage we have today, though, over the old systems is that of the Cluster. If one server of say three goes does down, then it doesn't matter as the connections fail over to the remaining two. Naturally if there is only one server, then everything goes down with it. A smart System Designer would not build a cloud on a single server but on a cluster of at least two servers.