“Cloud computing” is a current hot trend sweeping the computer industry. The basic concept is simple: Instead of storing your data on your computer, DVDs, or an external hard drive, you would upload it to a server on the Internet. It doesn’t matter where that server is located physically, and in fact, parts of your data might be located on multiple server computers. It doesn’t matter–the data is just up in a “cloud” somewhere. All you need to do is purchase server space from companies that host your media on their computers.
As long as you are connected to the Internet, you can get your data–photos, documents, videos, whatever–from anywhere you happen to be. In theory, you could use a laptop, cell phone, or even a web kiosk at an airport. No more copying files to Flash drives or purchasing huge hard drives to back up video files. In the future, it’s a good bet that DVR-ish devices will be able to connect to your “cloud” data and instantly access any movies you own. So no need for DVDs at all…right?
Hold on. The future of Timeless DVD aside, it’s worth considering if having all your videos “up in a cloud” is wise. If you purchase a movie or TV show, shouldn’t you own it without any limitations? Shouldn’t you be in control of your files at all times? One serious drawback to cloud computing is the ability to connect to the Internet. If your service is slow or unreliable, you may not be able to access your files whenever you want. And shouldn’t 100% accessibility be a given for files that you have purchased?
In addition, how is cloud computing affected by hackers? It’s not unimaginable that unsavory types might find it quite easy (and irresistible) to break into and mess around with your personal files and media. Or worse yet, plant viruses capable of wiping out all your data. Will cloud companies be able to deal with security issues? And if they do, will their safeguards make it more difficult for their actual customers to connect to their data?
Finally, how much access will the cloud hosting company have to your files? It’s a sure bet that once service providers have your data, they’ll search for ways to lock you in to contracts to prevent you from moving your files to another company. It also raises issues of who exactly controls your data: you, or the company? And similarly, what kind of consumer protections will there be? Data miners will be salivating to crawl through consumers’ videos and music to learn likes and dislikes and sell that information to the highest bidder.
While cloud computing may be hot, we don’t see it as the best place to store your data–simply another place to store your data. It’s a good solution if you travel frequently, or want to easily share the same files between work and home computers. But as a replacement for the good old movie or home video DVD? Sorry–the technology’s simply not there yet.
