The concept of “cloud computing” refers to the ability to use applications (usually installed as a program on your computer) on the Internet. Good examples of cloud computing include Google Calendar, Google Docs, Mint, and Internet-based email – Yahoo, Hotmail, Gmail, etc. I’ve been hearing a lot of buzz surrounding cloud computing lately, how this is the future of applications, and how your PC will become obsolete in regards to accessing programs on your desktop (unless you want to take the Internet application “offline” to your computer). However, very few people seem to discuss the dangers of cloud computing.

We already store a lot of information about ourselves online. If you use Internet-based email, PayPal, eBay, perform online banking, or pay your bills online, then your private and financial information is stored in multiple servers all over the world. Considering the rash of data leaks – companies losing backup drives/tapes, laptops, etc. – over the past few years, you have plenty to worry about. Therefore, the idea of cloud computing, which is nothing new, should raise even more red flags. Let’s take a look at an example.

You’re a company and decide to use Google Docs instead of paying expensive licensing fees for Microsoft Office. You write proprietary information about your company, which can include financials, technical specifications for your “super secret” application/service, and private/confidential employee information. As soon as you click the Save button for the first time in Google Docs, Google knows a lot about your company. What controls are in place to stop some unscrupulous employee from going through your documents and stealing your idea or employee information? What controls are in place to stop some ex-employee from accessing these servers remotely using the admin login and password? I can definitely attest that unless your company changes server passwords frequently, nothing can stop this from happening. I know of a company that never changed the passwords to their servers and were, in fact, quite easy to guess. Additionally, every former employee could access the machine if they have the right (hacking) tools. Nothing but a current or former employee’s honor and integrity stops a huge data leak for this particular company. That’s the same thing that we, as consumers, have to depend on when storing and/or using applications and services online. (more…)

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Following nOva’s lead, I decided to reveal some of my favorite podcasts that are essential to me making it through the work week. Trust me, work would not be quite as enjoyable if I didn’t have podcasts on my Zune. I listen to or watch approximately 34 podcasts, but I’m only going to provide you with a sampling of the ones I enjoy the most.

Adam Curry’s Daily Source Code

Aside from the fact that Adam was one of my favorite MTV VJs back in the day, I just find this podcast enjoyable. He discusses a little bit of everything, which can include tech, world politics, his dealings with the TSA, his family, and music, of course. I love the fact that Adam is wide open with all guns blazing, hence why his podcast is one (among several that I listen to) with the “explicit” tag.

Buzz Out Loud

If you want daily tech stories with a humorous slant, then the Buzz Out Loud podcast is for you. If you’re familiar with Mahalo Daily’s Vernonica Belmont, then you may or may not be aware that BOL is the podcast she worked on before leaving. However, hosts Molly Wood, Tom Merritt, and Jason Howell are holding things down quite nicely.

Mysterious Universe

I just recently discovered the Mysterious Universe podcast and have been hooked ever since. This podcast covers everything supernatural: ghost hauntings, thunderbird (not the email app) and bigfoot sightings, UFO news, and other supernatural phenomena. If you are a believer and follow the ways of Agent Fox Mulder, then this is a podcast you will enjoy. (more…)

My regular visitors and subscribers have noticed that I’ve been unusually quiet during the new year. There are several good reasons for my lack of posts at WriteTilt.com lately, but the primary reason is simple: I’m a little sick of the “establishment.”

The “establishment” refers to the Silicon Valley blogs, Web 2.0 sites/services, technology companies, and the special little club that surrounds technology startups. For the past year and a half, I consumed myself into this world by reading about them and listening about them on podcasts, only to find that in some ways, it’s a big turnoff for me. In fact, I’ve pulled myself away from this world because I have discovered that I’m against the rules and conventions that are associated with the “establishment.”

I have sat back and watched how young entrepreneurs fall over themselves to lick Michael Arrington’s shoes just so they can be featured in TechCrunch. I just don’t understand why people worship Arrington like he’s a god and take what he says as the gospel truth (according to Michael Arrington). I also don’t get how one man can wield so much power that his blog posts can make or break a company. This is one man’s opinion after all. And while blogs like Valleywag, Mashable, Silicon Alley Insider, All Things Digital, etc. can be entertaining as well as informative, they all (essentially) say the same thing as TechCrunch. I realized how often I found myself deleting posts (without reading them) containing the same information that I’ve already read somewhere else. The main difference between all of those blogs’ writers is that Arrington has far more influence for some reason. (more…)

The War Against Online Video Sharing Sites

I was one of the biggest YouTube supporters in the early days of the online video sharing site. I use to spend hours surfing through videos, catching clips of my favorite shows, reliving some great memories, and spotting clips of shows that friends said I should watch. I thought it was one of the most entertaining sites to hit the Internet in quite some time…until Viacom and other content owners started requesting take down notices.

The issue of copyright is one that I can relate to both sides of the fight. I am a content generator, aside from this blog, and can understand why some people may issues with how their content is used. For me, it depends on the context of the person who’s using my content. I tend to get really testy about people who plagiarize my words or pass off something that I created as their own. Otherwise, I don’t get hot and bothered about people sharing my content; I see it as free publicity and a credit to my work. Unfortunately, many content owners don’t see that.

Content owners don’t seem to grasp the concept that clips posted on online video sharing sites are free promotion and boosts TV ratings. I see nothing wrong with people posting clips on YouTube and other video sharing sites. If they’re like me, they watch the clips online, and if it’s a show/movie they really like, they will watch it on TV or pay for the content via video download services or DVD. Of course, I realize some will go straight to the Pirate Bay or other torrent sites, but that’s a whole other discussion. Still, video clips posted on online video sites are more likely to help content owners rather than hurt them, but most of us realize take down notices are all about flexing their strict control over content. It’s just a good old fashion war between new media vs. old media and copyright dictators vs. Creative Commons supporters.

What I do know is that this fight is wearing thin for me and is shaping up to turn into another Metallica vs. Napster fight that will slow down video on the web. One would think the TV and film industry learned a lesson from the music industry’s fight against digital media but obviously not. Some people are just hardheaded…or just idiots. Hmmm, maybe both.