19 Dec
2011
19 Dec
'11
5:28 p.m.
On 12/19/2011 05:32 PM, David Riley wrote:
I still don't
quite get the gist of modern "cloud computing", though I suspect the
problem is taxonomy pollution (similar to how Microsoft destroyed any
meaning ".NET" would have had if they hadn't applied it to
everything).
You don't get the gist of cloud computing because you know enough
about computers to understand why it (what they're pushing anyway) is a
terrible idea.
I'm reminded of the femtocell offerings by cell phone carriers who
spend so much on executive compensation that they don't have the money
to build out their infrastructure enough to support their customer base.
For those who don't know, a femtocell is basically a tiny "cell
tower" in a box about the size of a wireless router. You connect it to
your home network, and when you're at home, your calls go out over your
Internet connection, instead of via the cell carrier's nearest tower.
This has the effect of offloading their network, to make it cheaper to
operate, at the expense of a different service that you're already
paying money for to do something else.
It's unbelievably sleazy.
But anyway, they market these infernal devices with a strange
technique. They say glowingly, "...and when you're at home, you'll be
able to use VOICE OVER IP!!!", and that's it. As if that, in and of
itself, is some wonderful thing that will make you extremely cool, help
you lose weight, and enhance your sexual performance all in one fell swoop.
All it basically does is compensate for shortfalls in their
infrastructure that they could easily fix if they weren't so cheap. And
on top of this, they CHARGE YOU fox the box, and they CHARGE YOU a
monthly fee to use it! When using it SAVES THEM MONEY!! Unbelievable!!
Non-US folk: If you travel to the US, and you walk past a man wearing
a tie, check to see if you still have your wallet!
-Dave
--
Dave McGuire
New Kensington, PA