Cloud Computing For Consumers Makes Me Cringe
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
The latest buzz in the IT world is all about "cloud computing" and "software as a service" (SaaS). These two related terms refer to doing all your computing via the Internet rather than software locally installed on your computer. But the idea of consumers relying solely on cloud computing makes me cringe. Why?
- It's not secure
Microsoft's upcoming incarnation of Office is an example. Office Web will offer versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint than run directly from the Web. But consumers don't know or care where their applications come from as long as they work. So let's say Jane Consumer wants to open financial data stored in an Excel file. She may not know she's trusting her entire fortune to the cloud (e.g. the Internet). What about a consumer who is working from a home computer, opening confidential documents that ought to be kept within the confines of the corporate network? When you use the Internet, you never know who might be intercepting your information. I wouldn't want my data trusted exclusively to the cloud. I wouldn't even be satisfied with regular local backups. I want my data where I can see it, smell it, touch it, and above all control it. - Your environment can be changed at the whim of developers
Many web mail users complain to me that they don't like it when their provider changes the look and feel of their email service without notice. Imagine if your word processor and spreadsheet did the same thing. There is something to be said for locally installed software that you can manage as you prefer. Apparently consumers feel the same way, given how many people are still using Windows XP so they don't have to deal with Vista's changed interface. You could also consider the huge number of complaints Microsoft received when they removed the tried-and-true Office menus in favor of Office 2007's (gack) ribbon toolbar. - What if your Internet connection goes down?
Purveyors of SaaS promise ways to work offline. But how well will it work in reality? Do you really want to count on having a reliable Internet connection just to open a document? What about people in areas who have no access to steady high-speed Internet? - What if your SaaS provider pulls the plug?
You could wake up one morning, turn on your computer and discover that the software you need to do your work is vanished, gone, kaput. You might even be at the mercy of vendors who change your license agreement, then demand a ransom to keep your software alive. We've already seen that happen with the way some antivirus software vendors gouge you for automatic payments. What if they offer a full-fledged product, then strip the features and start charging extra for them? Or what if your vendor goes under? With locally installed software, at least you still have the software. With SaaS, you might lose the software and your data, too. Worse, what if they decide they now own all your data and can do with it whatever they like? - Advertising and fakes
How would you like it if you were working on a document and an advertisement interrupted you? Or what if you received a phony popup pretending that your document is corrupt and you suddenly need to buy some nifty (fake) software that will solve the purported problem? This already happens with fake antivirus software. I don't need it in my word processor. - The potential for censorship
Look at China's attempts to firewall their entire country and crack down on social networking sites. Relying exclusively on cloud computing could, in theory, give a government the ability to silence what it doesn't like. This is the same reason I believe in net neutrality: freedom of expression.
- Ease of use
Imagine not waiting for your computer to start up or load an application. This would appeal to many consumers. With cloud computing you could access your software as easily as opening a browser window. - Your environment can be changed at the whim of developers
Yes, I said that above, but it can be a good thing too. You could get new features without having to install new software. It might even be cheaper since you wouldn't have to pay for the CD or DVD. Perhaps you could buy features for short-term use, as you need them. I'll bet people who make casual use of super-expensive software like Adobe Photoshop would enjoy that ability. - Less expensive hardware
Google's Chrome OS will run at first on netbooks, inexpensive PCs that require only minimal hardware to operate. With cloud computing the vendor takes on the burden of processing power; all you need is a Web browser. Again, this might be highly appealing to consumers and could help bring computing power to those who currently cannot afford it. - Convenience
Many consumers enjoy being able to work on their documents anywhere, anytime, without the need to log into a home machine or fiddle with a USB drive. That's why Google Docs is popular. People are often willing to trade privacy for convenience.
Posted byTriona Guidry at 9:00 AM 0 comments
Labels: articles, cloud computing, consumers, Internet, saas, security, web
Search Engine Optimization
Monday, June 15, 2009
Search engine optimization is the fine art of getting your web site or blog ranked highly on Internet search engines and directories. Keywords are your key to improving your online marketing.
What is the purpose of your web site or blog? Is it to advertise your business? Attract customers? Provide an online presence for your company? Make a list of what you are trying to accomplish, then another of the words people might use to find you. It's important to think like your customers and avoid jargon. When I write about computers I do my best to keep the technobabble to a minimum. People won't be searching for "restarting a Windows XP workstation," they'll look for "computer help".
Keywords can be inserted into the code of your web site, where search engines will notice them. You should also include a brief description of your site's purpose, or what I like to describe as your mission statement. Think of it as the electronic version of your 30-second elevator speech. This is what's displayed when people see your site on Google or Yahoo. By using keywords common to your business, your rankings will improve.
The real secret to reaching number one on search engines is, of course, money. Google, Yahoo and other search engines have paid programs you can use to boost your ratings. As with any marketing, you have to watch your dollars wisely. You might want to experiment with paid rankings but be sure to compare effectiveness to cost.
Next month I'll teach you about Troubleshooting Wireless Networks. Don't forget to subscribe to Tech Tips for bonus tips and tricks plus the latest computer news.
Posted byTriona Guidry at 11:07 AM 0 comments
Labels: articles, blogs, Internet, small business, web
Blogs For Business
How can blogs help you market your business? Every day I meet people who are finding innovative ways to get the most out of blogs, or regularly updated web sites that integrate articles and reader commentary.
Blogs can help you reach new customers while staying in touch with old ones. They say you have to contact someone seven times before he or she remembers you. Blogs make it easy to keep people informed about news and trends in your industry. My Tech Tips blog is an example of a small business blog. It helps me maintain a rapport with existing and potential customers by providing value-added information. You can also improve your customer service and cut down on staff time by using your blog to answer your company's Frequently Asked Questions.
Your business blog is part of your online brand. When you think of Coca-Cola or Nike, those names instantly bring to mind familiar products. You want your customers to associate your name with good feelings about the products and services you sell. Remember, to get you have to give. By providing free and pertinent information, you'll establish yourself as a leader in your field.
Marketing your blog isn't as hard as you think. Send an announcement to your customers, put links in your email signature, and be sure to mention it when networking. This month's Tech Tip will tell you how to optimize your web site or blog to be more findable on Internet search engines.
In July you'll get a special preview of the new operating systems, Windows 7 And Mac OS X Snow Leopard. Don't forget to subscribe to Tech Tips for bonus tips and tricks plus the latest computer news.
Posted byTriona Guidry at 11:02 AM 0 comments
Labels: articles, blogs, Internet, small business, web
Emergency Computer Problem-Solving
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Tech Tips readers may be interested in my latest article, "Emergency Computer Problem-Solving," available on the Cary Grove Chamber Of Commerce web site.
We all know that sinking feeling, when the computer does something it shouldn't. Maybe it's a blank screen greeting your day, or an error message during a deadline. Many people don't know that there are easy ways to fix computer problems if you know the expert tricks.See the article for more detail, and look for my Chamber-sponsored class, Blogs For Business, coming in October.
Posted byTriona Guidry at 9:55 PM 0 comments
Labels: articles, beginners, blogs, computer help, emergency, mac, small business, windows