When a cloud service vanishes: How to protect your data

[Corrine]

Cloud services aren't just about businesses storing documents and files on some online server. Home computer users also use cloud services -- Facebook, Windows Live SkyDrive, YouTube, Google+, Picasa, and other Google services, various blog services and more, as discussed in When a cloud service vanishes: How to protect your data, quoted in part below. It is a long article, but worth reading.

More and more, we rely on Web services as a matter of course. The key word is rely: We assume that the data we upload to, say, a photo-hosting account or blog service today will still be there tomorrow. In large part, that's because we assume the services themselves will still be there tomorrow.But over the past few years, we've seen plenty of examples of sites that are here today and all-too-gone tomorrow -- for example, Friendster (which dumped user data for a redesign in May) and GeoCities (which shut down in 2009).In other words, nothing lasts forever. The Web services that we entrust with our data can -- and do -- vanish. And when that happens, you need to have a plan. In the following pages, I'll take a look at some cases where user data was lost or endangered, how the companies (and their users) handled the situation, and what you can do to keep your own information safe.Don't let this happen to youUnfortunately, there are plenty of examples of services that have shut down, changed hands or simply lost their data.

[V.T. Eric Layton]

Great stuff, Corrine, but I'll keep my stuff in my own little cloud right here in my home.

[striker]

There's no cloud out there which can be trusted, ever. (imho) One day the sun shines, next it suddenly starts to rain behind your back.

[V.T. Eric Layton]

That's not rain, Striker. They just tell you it is.

[V.T. Eric Layton]

The cloud is being pushed hard by the BIG Tech because it's going to be a profit-making enterprise. These companies can eliminate piracy by keep apps on their own servers, under their own control. This saves $$$ and protects the bottom line. Hardware is going to devolve to the old "dumb" terminal and be massed produced in China for pennies. The goal is to have every human being linked to the mega-cloud via some very inexpensive hardware... mobile, home-based, or inter-cranial implant (don't laugh... it's coming!).It's not about progress and wonderful new technological advances. It's about the almight BUCK! That's what it's always about, my friends. GREED makes the world go 'round.paranoid rant>

[Guest LilBambi]

One area of Cloud service which we may see impacted soon is the DRM authority server for Borders since they are going out of business and have not been purchased by another company and absorbed. Who's gonna keep their eBook DRM authority server up now for all the DRM'd books folks bought?Borders Files For Bankruptcy, To Close Stores (HuffingtonPost)The Bankruptcy Liquidation of a Big Business: The Borders Going Out of Business Salehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borders_GroupSeems no one is actually talking about this aspect of Borders going out of business and the impact it will have on book owners when they do.

[Guest LilBambi]

Yep, what's that old saying, "Follow the money" ... but it's not just the almighty buck Eric ... it's the same as it always is: money and control/power.

[striker]

The cloud stinks.