Cloud computing

Has, cloud computing a future?

This discussion is based on two research paper:

• The Case for Cloud Computing
• Cloud computing and emerging IT platforms: Vision, hype, and reality for delivering computing as the 5th utility

The Case for Cloud Computing was written by R. L. Grossman and was published by the IEEE in 2009.This research paper introduces advantages of cloud computing (instance/ capacity) and brings this architecture as a guarantee.

Cloud computing and emerging IT platforms: Vision, hype, and reality for delivering computing as the 5th utility was written by Rajkumar Buyya, Chee Shin Yeo, Srikumar Venugopal, James Broberg  and Ivona Brandic. It was published in 2008 by the Institute of Information Systems (Vienna University of Technology). This paper explains the relationship between cloud computing and markets. It also interrogates about limitations of this architecture.

Cloud computing is based on Internet. With only an Internet connection, we can share resources, software and information.

Cloud computing has many advantages. For example, we can execute powerful software on a simple device, or we can store a lot of information without buy a personal server... Cost for consumers are lower [1][3]. In addition, this paradigm offers the possibility to work in same time, on the same file (collaborative work) [3].

One advantage which is also an inconvenient is we only need an Internet connection (accessibility). But there are more serious inconveniences.

What about the security of our information. Imagine a firm which wants store its information with the help of cloud computing... It’s unsure that information stay private[2]. We can also wonder about environment:  “Data Centers are known to be expensive to operate and they consume huge amounts of electric power. For example, the Google data center consumes power as much as a city such as San Francisco.” [2]

In my opinion, cloud computing has a future. But we need to be watchful about where and who were stored our information. This question is important, but if we have the answer, it hinders the paradigm...

Referencies :

[1] “The Case for Cloud Computing”, R. L. Grossman, IEEE Computer Society, 2009.

[2] “Cloud computing and emerging IT platforms: Vision, hype, and reality for delivering computing as the 5th utility”, R. Buyya, C. S. Yeo, S. Venugopal, J. Broberg , I. Brandic, IIS,2008

[3] “Future of computing: Forecast calls for partly cloudy”, I. Rae, bitcurrent.com, 2008

Delete: The virtue of forgetting in the Digital Age by Viktor Mayer-Schönberger

The main topic of this book is “Did we forget to forget?”

When you want find something on the Internet, when you share pictures with friends, or when you write a comment or post something on a blog... Are you aware that will be restrictive for a future job search?

Nowadays, everything we do with the help of digital devices is stored. However, who has never done something which need to be forgotten? Can we judge somebody due to some pictures during a party or some comments on a blog? Of course not: it’s definitely a misjudgment!

Forgetting is human and we need forget. In my opinion, the fact that all of our digital information is stored is a big problem. How can we be sure that our information isn’t use for that or that thing? In addition, certain things (pictures, conversations) are private and mustn’t be stored...

During last class, we asked the question “Is the standard default of remembering on the Internet a problem?” The result was 18 for yes and 12 for no. Opinions are divided about that issue.