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 Originally Posted by Bob G
The "cloud" is only a new idea to those who are too young to have endured mainframes. Sure, there are differences, but the bottom line is the same: when the connection goes down (and it will), you are screwed!
I think you are misinterpreting the cloud concept. There is no indication that if the connection goes down you will lose anything. SaaS is only one potential use of 'The Cloud'. It is by no means the only use.
Sure, the cloud makes it easier for sys admins to maintain software at a central location, and for companies to charge for their "service," but it means the user has far less control of the security, availability, ability to manipulate (i.e., apps), and speed of access of their data. The cloud compares to the PC like public transportation compares to your personal car (Anyone in Seattle who was stranded when the buses stopped running during the recent snow storm will understand.).
Don't conflate SaaS with 'The Cloud'. Again, the cloud is a network communications concept. It's simply an abstraction for some things going on between two endpoints that are too complicated to go into detail. It doesn't mean that the Pre will be a dumb terminal. It means it will be leveraging the Internet to gain data from multiple disparate sources.
I want the Pre badly, but lack of desktop synchronization is a show stopper. I deal with proprietary data that cannot be trusted to the unsecured internet, and my employer will not allow my personal smartphone to get access to the company networks over an unsecured wireless connection. Yet the value of my Outlook PIM data (e.g., meeting notice) depends on me having access to it on my PDA.
That will be the most interesting thing from my perspective as well. It's also what kept me from the iPhone. There are certain things I don't want on the Internet. I'm sure that a developer will come up with a solution. The main questions are who and when.
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