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I have often expressed my skepticism of cloud computing as the answer to life, the universe, and everything. (See Note.)

Nevertheless, Google’s cloud saved my bacon today. I felt that it was only fair to tell the story.

My Android G1 is broken. Specifically, the touch screen no longer works. I was able to use it with the hardware keyboard, but missed the convenience. So I took it to the local T-Mobile store; the clerk suggested a reset to default. That bricked the phone; the first time it comes on, it displays a message, “Touch the Android to continue.” There is no way to get past that screen with the hardware keyboard.

(Stuff breaks; a new phone is being expressed to me and I have a loaner in the meantime.)

This morning I got a phone message from someone who has been important in my life; the caller sounded extremely upset. I deleted the voicemail (my default choice is to delete voicemails unless they contain information I might need later). I did not realize that it contained information I might need later.

Then I went to return the call and discovered the caller’s new phone number was not in the SIM card memory in my SIM card in the loaner, but, instead, was over there in the G1 Anbrick.

I checked my address books (paper and electronic). I had not updated them to the caller’s new phone number. (Updates pending, lesson learned.)

Then I remembered that the default contacts list in the G1 syncs to the Gmail account I had to create when I first set up the phone.

Viola! I logged into Gmail, checked my contacts, returned the phone call, and saved my bacon.

Update:

The warranty replacement arrived today about 6:00 p. m. I did pay extra for express shipping, because I miss my Android.

The T-Mobile tech support guy promised that it would arrive within three days, but said–no promises–it might arrive in two. It arrived in one.

I haven’t fired it up yet. Having supper and going for a walk on a lovely Virginia evening took precedence.

Update Two:

My warranty replacement phone is working and 90% set up; the other 10% is stuff I’ll get a round tuit. I’ve installed most of the apps that I used regularly on the old phone (there are a couple I haven’t gotten to yet). In the process, I learned a few of things;

Continue reading “How the Gcloud Saved My Gbacon (Updated) (Updated Again)” »

The Guardian documents a case of creeping jargon: The UK is going to create its own “cloud“:

By 2015, the strategy suggests, 80% of central government desktops could be supplied through a “shared utility service” – essentially a cloud service resembling Google Docs, which lets people create documents online for free.

The move to a “government cloud” mirrors the system used by Google and other large companies, which put cheap “server” computers into huge data centres to provide computing power on demand which is delivered where it is needed via the internet. That would be provided to government departments and local government, replacing the ageing and inefficient systems used in many of the hundreds of data centres presently used – and frequently run at far below their capacity because they are dedicated to one department.

Buried in the story, though, is some news I find exciting: they are encouraging a move to open source. From the same story:

Continue reading “Back in My Day, They Were Called “Data Centers”” »

I have several times indicated my skeptical take on “cloud computing.” It boils down to this:

• It’s nothing new. It’s using a big network instead of a small one.
• Unless collaboration or off-site backup are involved, it doesn’t add value to my daily computer use.
• Computers break. Storing data on the cloud means storing it on more computers that can break. Further, it conceivably involves companies that might be gone tomorrow, taking my data with them. (I know that Google’s not going to disappear any time soon, but Google’s not the only player.)

Last week, Charles Ledbetter, writing in the Guardian, considered another concern: that the untidy anarchic free nature of the internet is increasingly under attack.

Ledbetter sums up the dangers he sees in this way:

Continue reading “Cloudy Futures” »

I have not concealed my skepticism about “cloud computing.” I see only two reason for sticking my data out there somewhere in the care of who knows who, except for off-site backups and collaborative projects. (For anyone who has invested deeply in time or money or both, in websites, software, and data, offsite backups are a good thing.)

“Because it’s there” is an insufficient reason for using any technology.

Continue reading “Cloud(y) Horizons” »

I have two topics in this post because I find both interesting, but don’t think I have enough to say about either to warrant two posts.

In the Guardian, Cory Doctorow expresses his skepticism about cloud computing. I’m not going to try to excerpt it, just recommend it as food for thought.

This other one, also from the Guardian, has no great significance except for the Ealing Council, London, UK, but it’s one of those odd stories that struck me as telling: The Guardian reports that a virus got loose at a city government site in London and wiped out records of uncollected parking and library fines.

The virus was on an employee’s USB stick. Description of the damage below the fold.

Continue reading “Cloudy Thinking and a Fine Mess” »