We all knew it was coming, Microsoft Azure

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10-27-2008, 02:26 PM
TheOriginalGrumpySpy

We all knew it was coming, Microsoft Azure

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/7693993.stm

The trend to take the personal out of computer has already been gaining momentum with things like Google Docs and such, but now Microsoft is on the band wagon with Microsoft Azure. I do like the term "cloud" computing though.

Quote:

The aim is to allow developers to build new applications which will live on the internet, rather than on their own computers.

Microsoft believes consumers will also want to store far more of their data - from letters to photos to videos - on the servers in its "cloud" of giant data centres around the world, so that it can be accessed anywhere, from any device.
10-27-2008, 02:31 PM
Janglez

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jesus

Microsoft believes consumers will also want to store far more of their data - from letters to photos to videos - on the servers in its "cloud" of giant data centres around the world, so that it can be accessed anywhere, from any device.

Does this mean any one in the world can access my files or only me? Sounds kinda crazy.
10-27-2008, 02:37 PM
TheOriginalGrumpySpy

Potentially, but really, who the fuck would want to access your files?

It's probably just going to be (like Google's Picasa and Docs) based on login information.
10-27-2008, 03:56 PM
Atmosfear

If you want a more clear picture of the business model, read my posts in the Google Chrome thread.

Basically, the trend is to minimize computing power that resides in the users hands and replace it with server-side computing to take advantage of increasing bandwidth. Instead of requiring the vast computer power necessary to run Windows, you simply run a light, stable browser on a handheld to get access to desktop app-capabilities from any device with an internet connection.
10-27-2008, 04:03 PM
Janglez

So thats a good thing right? The OP makes it seem like its not a good idea.
10-27-2008, 04:31 PM
TheOriginalGrumpySpy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atmosfear

Basically, the trend is to minimize computing power that resides in the users hands and replace it with server-side computing to take advantage of increasing bandwidth. Instead of requiring the vast computer power necessary to run Windows, you simply run a light, stable browser on a handheld to get access to desktop app-capabilities from any device with an internet connection.

I know the trend and I've been following it for the past couple years. It seems to take the personal out of personal computing though. Desktops are soon to be extinct breed except for gamers, which for the business side of computing, is just fine.
10-27-2008, 04:42 PM
Atmosfear

Why do you think games would be extinct too? There's a finite limit to the number of circuits you can cram on a circuitboard... bandwidth lacks such stringent limitations.
10-27-2008, 05:00 PM
TheOriginalGrumpySpy

No no not the end of games, but rather the end of the whole gamer-esque stuff. Half the fun of gaming is building your own rig, lan parties and the like.
10-27-2008, 05:15 PM
Atmosfear

People who call their computers "rigs" are faggots I think it's safe to say that is 0% of the fun.
10-27-2008, 05:22 PM
TheOriginalGrumpySpy

Touche, but I think you understand what I mean when I say it removes the personal from the PC.
10-27-2008, 05:36 PM
MrTroy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janglez

So thats a good thing right? The OP makes it seem like its not a good idea.

There are opinions and facts that make it positive or negative depending on your views and needs.
10-27-2008, 07:37 PM
ShitFace

I see some problems with this, I mean wouldn't it take up loads of bandwidth running the programs from the net, and the program sending data to and fro to the user?
Also yeah, it would be easier for other people to get access to your stuff unless they had some really good security.
10-27-2008, 09:15 PM
ChedWick

The problem I see with this is internet reliability. If you have down connection and store the majority of your files out in the cloud of the internet, you're fucked. Also bandwidth is not limitless. New technologies will be needed for the increase in bandwidth just as it has since coax was first used. It becomes increasingly expensive to keep updating the wiring and to keep servers powerful enough to handle all the new trends. Its a never ending cycle and a matter of opinion as to whether or not it is beneficial for any one user. Besides bandwidth is expensive.

I also think its safe to say that its a lot of fun to build a new PC and tweak it out. Just as people build and mod engines. It's a hobby. One that probably wont ever die.

All in all I think the new strategy is interesting. I doubt it will replace the need for a powerful pc's but it seems kind of practical for casual users who tend to fuck up their systems and lose data alot.
10-28-2008, 07:53 PM
ShitFace

Yeah that's a good point, if you don't have internet or your connection goes down or whatever, you're fucked.

I don't see this idea taking off.
10-28-2008, 10:49 PM
no_brains_no_worries

I'm a paranoia nut job! I think this is a horrible idea! If this allows people to access my files, that means they might find my e-mail death threats to world leaders!
10-29-2008, 12:43 AM
KT_

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShitFace

Yeah that's a good point, if you don't have internet or your connection goes down or whatever, you're fucked.

I don't see this idea taking off.

I think a lot of people have an always on internet connection. And I know that if for some reason my internet connection goes down, I can always leech off my neighbor. I don't think people with dial-up or no internet connection at all would be dumb enough to try to use Azure.
11-05-2008, 05:59 PM
benzss

Sounds intriguing, but ultimately more effort than a flash disk.
11-09-2008, 03:38 PM
ArmedMonkey

I don't really like where this is going. I like having my own computer and being in full control of my files. I can run remote desktop, ftps, and whatever-the-hell-else-i-need to be totally "virtual" anyway.