Syncronized Cloud
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I have been thinking about this of late, and what I would really appreciate from some developer is an app that would allow me to sync all of my cloud data in one place.
I have noticed that it seems that every time I turn around there is a new cloud storage system rolling out. Think about all of the choices you have; Microsoft Skydrive, DropBox, Google Docs, Box.net, Amazon, and iCloud to name just a few. These do no include all of the ones that give you a free 2G to join. Of course they all have their individual mobile apps as well.
What would really be nice is a service that didn’t give me anymore free storage but would provide an interface to access the various services already out on the market. I must admit that I havent done a terrible amount of researching on this topic and there may be a solution that I’m unaware of. The type of product that I have been thinking about would be a cloud application that you could log into and register your individual accounts. The app would then scan your stored files and present an interface where you could search and either open or download the file you are looking for.
Anyway, it just seems we have ample cloud storage solutions, but not an easy way to tie them all together. Maybe a cloud backup service that backed up not devices but services.
Happy Computing.
Categories: All, Editorial, Web Tags: Google Docs, Happy Computing, Microsoft Skydrive
Google Plus: Disendents Need Not Apply
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There has been an uproar of late concerning the Google Plus Community Policy and requiring everyone to use their real name or the name they are known by.
Personally, I have no problem with this, as I run a blog and write for said blog, so I have always used my real identity. I also think that it is a forgone conclusion that when we use our real identities, we tend to be more thoughtful in our comments. But lets put all that aside.
I don’t think that Google would be taking all of this heat for this reason. So let’s take a trip outside of the box; Could it be possible that Google has global plans for G+ and is planning on staying Politically Neutral?
With all of the recent turmoil in the Middle East of late and seeing that the first thing these regimes do is block Twitter and FaceBook to hamstring their citizens from protesting, maybe Google is taking a different approach by keeping everything open. From a business point of view, I can see some value in staying neutral and providing a communication network that doesn’t appear to be involved with cloak and dagger policies.
I know this is a real reach, but I’m not sure Google would stick with a non-anonymous policy when the community of users would do much of the policing to begin with. But I can see some validity with a company that has world wide interests trying to stay neutral. Google may be learning from FaceBook’s and Twitter’s past woe’s and its own troubles with China and attempting to take some preventive measures in this arena.
Personally, I think I will just sit back; enjoy the ride, and see how it all plays out.
G+ Is No FaceBook Killer
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What it may be is a Social Network for Adults!
After having checking out Google Plus for the past three weeks, I have come to the conclusion that Google Plus seems to be attracting a whole different set of demographics. Granted it’s early in the G+ life span to be making snap judgments.
It may be worth looking at FaceBook and its original design concept for this. I’m sure most technology enthusiasts know that ‘The FaceBook’ was a project of Mr. Zuckenberg while in college to expand his friendship circle. The development from that point on has been one of expansion and additions to make the application attractive to other segments of society and of course monetization. In my opinion FaceBook has tried to be everything to everyone.
FaceBook seems to have grown past being a social communication tool to include social gaming, advertising and just about anything under the sun. Google Plus on the other hand seems to be focused on being a superb communication and data exchange platform, by tying existing Google Tools into a unified interface.
I think what may be interesting over the upcoming months is the demographics of who is moving to Google Plus and who is using FaceBook as their primary social network platform. For me this is not a case of which is better but which meets my needs. I will continue to use both of these services, but each one for different groups. I hope both networks do well as competition breeds innovation.
The PC EcoSystem
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I was listening to the Windows Weekly Podcast recently and the topic of ecosystems came up and I started thinking about how the PC ecosystem has changed over the past decade or two.
I actually remember when Microsoft Office had competition and wasn’t considered the Gold Standard when it came of Office Productivity Suites. If you stop to think about it, I challenge you to name a PC Suite or Application that has been developed in the past couple years. What it shows is how the PC ecosystem has changed and how the typical user looks at software.
One of the biggest impact on software development has been web apps and if I dare say it; Chrome Browser. It’s the advent of a fast stripped down browser that has allowed the development and usability of online applications to become a viable option.
A personal example is that a year ago if I had been looking for a media center I wouldn’t have considered anything but an installable application. Based on the features I was looking for, Google Chrome with a few key Extensions and Apps has left me with a perfectly good media center application.
One thing worth messaging is that it seems when it comes to productivity applications the move is towards small and single function type apps, instead of large multi-function applications or application suites. This makes the concept of Google’s Chromium Operating System a viable consideration. Now with Google Docs, Microsoft Office Live and the recently released Office 365, the need to have an installed application is becoming less and less a requirement.
The problem is of course, that most of us do not have a constant and consistent network connection. Once a cost effective solution for having an always on connection whenever and wherever you are, then the concept of Chrome Books my grow some legs. Where Google may have missed judged is the consumer’s wiliness to trust the Cloud for its only storage. In my opinion it’s going to be a long time, if ever for us to trust technology enough to not want or demand local storage.
The PC Ecosystem has changed and we are the ones who have changed it by our choice of what we use. The next decade should definitely be an interesting one.
