iEntry 10th Anniversary
LinuxHaxor
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MHYet Another LH Poll
Time for another poll. :)
I have been thinking about Ubuntu One a lot lately and I really like the whole concept of saving system configurations on the cloud (which it will eventually evolve in to from simple storage) and being able to sync into your new computer or recovering from a lost machine. Even if you don’t take those things in to consideration, a simple storage system is not so bad even though a better storage system already exists (dropbox).
Also the question of where Ubuntu (or Desktop OS in general) are heading to in the near future. Even though I have a lot of respect for RMS I find myself disagreeing with him in many things, including his views about Cloud computing and storage.
Anyways, fell free to vote on the poll (sidebar, RSS readers will need to visit the website) and share your thoughts in the comments.
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As for me, the only fair answers are “Too early to tell anything” and “Looks promising” - I’d chose both if I could [:
I understand where RMS is going (though I’m with you; much respect, but I do question his sanity from time to time). Pushing all you own onto the cloud is a security hazard and it takes a leap of faith that most people aren’t aware they are taking.
You can take apps like evernote as an example (it’s a note taking application that can store not only text but also images and it does OCR server side on those images, so if you take a pic of a business card with the web cam you can later search for a word in that business card and it finds it, pretty nifty, cross platform, etc) now the ugly is that the traffic it generates isn’t encrypted in anyway, sure your username and password go through SSL but everything else like text and pictures…not so much.
Now the leap of faith involves trust in the provider. I trust google to keep my mail and to keep backups of my mail, and I also trust google to give me a window of opportunity to move to another service if they decide to charge for the service. I trust they’ll have an immaculate uptime and that my data is kept safe. This is what I can think of top of my head, but I’m positive there are a lot more stuff I should be worrying about when I decide to hand my data to someone out there.
I’m fully aware there is a risk in the cloud, I can live with that. What worries me a bit is that I’m not very sure it’s a controlled risk.
As to Ubuntu One specifically I think it’s obvious that if that’s not the future it’s at least a trial one must pursuit. Everything is life if cyclical and from my point of view it’s inevitable that we’ll have an updated version of dumb-terminals, where the client-server paradigm is ever present but this time you’re not suppose to notice it as much as a user. the currently available bandwidth (and availability of your internet connection) justifies it.
@fsamurai you made some great points. I think we, as humans, are scared of changes. Even if these “changes” are just an evolution of “dumb terminals” that we used no too long ago.
Just want to point out 2 things:
- As described @ https://ubuntuone.com/, it can only sync between Ubuntu computers. This is a no-no — you can register to Dropbox (http://www.getdropbox.com/), get the same functionalities like integration with nautilus and 2Gb storage, plus sync with Windows/Mac/Linux.
- Changes are needed, and progress will come eventually. “Cloud computing” has some advantages, but you should always be aware of: a) security of your information, and b) what would you do if there’s no internet access?
Yes, the UbuntuOne concept of allowing apps to sync to the cloud is great.
Trust is the key.
1) Do you trust the company not to abuse your information?
2) Do you trust them to keep your information secure?
3) Don’g forget companies EULA’s?
a) Use the info for their own internal use. Lacks definition.
b) Use the info with their partners. Lacks the who and a definition.
Sorry, I don’t trust companies as far as I can throw them. As for google
and their “do no evil” statement; tis marketing hype.
Do it the old fashioned way. Back up your data and configuration files.
There are a number of tools that help people do that. Script your own
or:
10 outstanding Linux backup utilities
http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/10things/?p=895&tag=nl.e550
PS:
What’s so hard about unzipping / un-taring / data and config files?
What’s so hard about doing the back up. There are tools that automate
it. Is it really that hard to replace a CD / DVD in a tray?
Regards