Richard Stallman, founder of the Free Software Foundation and creator of the GNU operating system, has said cloud computing is "stupidity" that ultimately will result in vendor lock-in and escalating costs.
"The interesting thing about cloud computing is that we've redefined cloud computing to include everything that we already do," Stallman was quoted as saying in a report by The Guardian on Monday.
Cloud computing, the latest marketing description for a notion put forth by computer-industry companies in recent years, moves most of the computing power--and sometimes data--to servers maintained by companies such as Google, Microsoft and Amazon. A classic example of cloud computing is Gmail, offered by Google.
Stallman said cloud computing forces people to hand over control of their information to a third party. His objections echo his long-standing belief in non-proprietary software.
"One reason you should not use Web applications to do your computing is that you lose control," Stallman said. "It's just as bad as using a proprietary program."
"Do your own computing on your own computer with your copy of a freedom-respecting program. If you use a proprietary program or somebody else's Web server, you're defenseless. You're putty in the hands of whoever developed that software," he said.
Stallman dismissed cloud computing as industry bluster. "It's stupidity. It's worse than stupidity: it's a marketing hype campaign," he said.
"Somebody is saying this is inevitable and, whenever you hear somebody saying that, it's very likely to be a set of businesses campaigning to make it true," Stallman added.
This article was first published as a blog on CNET News.com.
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Cloud computing is the ongoing revenue dream...but not for consumers.
Ask any mainframe techie and they'll tell you: Two of the key problems with mainframe software are its prohibitive cost per user and a lack of internal control over the products. With cloud computing the proprietary software industry will finally accomplish what they have been attempting for nearly ten years: The foundation of control necessary to force all users to pay a yearly fee for their products along with the virtual elimination of perpetual licenses. What's more, if you fail to pay the (shall we suggest ransom?), they can--and will--simply shut you down. Finally, if your hardware is not compatible with their vision of the latest and greatest, you will no longer have the option of holding on to a given version--you'll upgrade or lose access. (Picture the XP to Vista evolution.) In some cases, cloud computing makes sense. But, much like many enterprises have found with Six Sigma, it isn't necessarily the solution to every need for every user. The core problem with this level of process is that so many businesses simply have never gained full control over their IT environments--so losing what little control they currently have is not on their radar as a problem. Bottom line? With cloud computing you will receive less and pay significantly more--and you will NOT be in control of the process.
Posted by Alan L. Plastow, MAT, PMP on Tuesday, October 07 2008 05:47 AM