Even after reading that, I'm still not sure what cloud is. I've seen tag clouds, and apple has some kind of cloud called mobile me, so it's like everyone had a different definition of what it is.

It is some sort, of Windows 7 thing if the commercials have told me right

Use a lot of the aspects of cloud computing; we all do if you think about it. Every image that I share online is stored in an online host site so in essence the cloud. The only thing I've not bit into is online editors. Not sure a true online OS would be viable either but there have been attempts at browser based OSs and I've played with an online browser OS a while back; not ready for primetime imo. Don't really like the dummy terminal VAX concept that I believe cloud computer is attempted. Some things I just simply like to do local.

sort of reminds me of how torrents works for files...bits and pieces are all over the net but you can pull it into your computer when you want it. So Cloud is basically online storage?

Not just storage 2-ton. You can have Operating systems and applications such as photo-editors too. Tried many of them and photo-editors, unlike the OSs, show some promise, but again, I prefer to do most things local. Only online storage really make sense to me since it allows data to be shared much easier. Ultimate, the cloud pushers just want you to have a dummy terminal and all aspects of computer life would be located online. Main advantage of this is data security (i.e., if your house burns down, your data will be still secure). Main disadvantage is data security (if someone hacks your storage locations, you loose your data). Anonymity also can be an issue. If that wasn't the case, you wouldn't still use dollars and cents (only credit and debit). You loose almost all anonymity when you go online; that's just the facts. That's why I decided long ago, why hide my name (only did so once to post something that I wish I know could take back but I've not been found out yet and hopefully I won't; lol. That was nearly a decade ago).

I have tried to use aviary...so that would be a cloud graphix program (well, lots of programs actually). I am not ready to give up all my stuff to some vague place online, not all of it anyway. I still like having data right here in my computer, but then I also like to read actual paper books. I must be old-fashioned.

The whole cloud computing thing seems way too suspicious to me. What if the cloud serves is compromised by a hacker or some malfunction, and I lose all my files... or worse, my private stuff gets spread around who knows where.

No thanks, there's certain things I want to keep local.

I do have a Dropbox account but that is to get files from my brother quickly and easily.
I don't use such systems as storage. That is what I use data DVD's and my portable drive for. I have complete control over Those things

The only Cloud I ever liked was in Final Fantasy VII. I don't fancy the idea of using a cloud-based os. Too much control is lost. If I was a conspiracy freak, I might think that was an invention of a one of several entities: Mircosoft, Wal-mart, or backers of the New World Order. Hm. As if they are different entities after all. Anyhoo, conspiracy or not, I cringe at the thought. I don't store much of anything online either. Have a couple pics on a youth group webpage, some pics on FB, but everything important is on DVD or HD. I may be at risk of corrupting that data, or losing it all altogether, but it won't be hacked -- well, less chance anyway. I am responsible for my data.

But that's me.

And I have been wrong before.

It's putting way too much power and possibility for disaster in total strangers hands for me.

I tried jolicloud OS once on a USB stick. You can only use it if you register with your real full name. Then not just your name, but all your personal settings are stored on a complete stranger's computer that you've never met and know nothing about. Then your account can be closed, your personal data given away to the authorities etc when that stranger believes you do not keep yourself to the TOS.

About backing up data, I'd rather use an external HDD. It doesn't come with a TOS and other restrictions other then it can break, but so can the server of the stranger.

That's my point exactly.

Big Brother is coming whether we like it or not.
Gerard.

I agree with GMS. Uploading an image on purpose to a file host is one thing. Having your entire computer (Including all your personal files, your web history, even your passwords if the browser information is stored there.) permanently at the mercy of a bunch of strangers you don't know, on servers you can't locate, and with 'security' you can't verify...

Well I don't care how badly someone tries to shove any cloud down my throat, I'm not interested. This includes things like Mozilla's profile sync service and Ubuntu One.

And no Gerard, Big Brother can only happen if people stop caring about privacy and stop fighting to protect their rights. It's not an inevitable certainly. But if we ignore our lawmakers and never call them to let them know our minds, then the only voice in their heads will be lobbyist who work for companies that would profit from a Big Brother.

Sitting in a corner crying will only serve to expedite such a travesty. Making your voice heard will, at worst, still slow it down.

I don't trust online editors. What's to say that my original work isn't stored on some server, where anyone can hack in and steal it? If they had only my modified images, I wouldn't worry as much. Also, if the internet is down, I wouldn't be able to work on my images, poems or whatever.

Whereas I share most of the suspicions of people in this thread and don't use cloud computing much myself, it is likely the future for all of us in a few hardware generations. The advantages of load balancing and resource management is quite substantial. Imagine your little hand-held getting "help" from a full-fledged remote graphics computer on a whim, whenever you need it (and only then)? I can certainly see it being in early use by heavy-computing-demanding enterprises such as businesses and universities for example. We already use similar things ("cloud" is a fancy name for something that has really been available a long time in various forms. NFS networks has been around and used in the Linux world for decades. Windows call it SMB).

A few years ago I saw an experimental 10GBit dedicated internet line in action (the router box alone cost about $3000). It was running against a remote server farm, using its resources over the fast connection and behaving almost as fast as if our local computer had 150+ processors. It was not really setup as a cloud, but the demonstration was impressive. It won't be long until we see this kind of connectivity, and then we will want to tap in on the latent computer power available without having to physically lug it around in our pocket.
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Griatch

What worries me most about Big brother is coming is that people are so happy to invite him in.
I don't like facebook because they demand you use your real name. If you don't, they close your account.
I feel like on the internet I should have the choice if I want to give someone my real name. For years we have been warned that for our safety we should use aliases on the internet. Don't give out personal details like what town you live in, what school you went to, what company you work for, what your phone number is etc. And facebook comes along and asks all those things and people just give it willingly without thinking. With the privacy settings changing all the time you cannot be sure if people who you don't want to see that info can see it. On top of that, you told facebook everything too, and it is non of their business.