ie8 fix
madison

Discussion on:
The disruptive nature of cloud computing

View entire thread
Message 1 of 1
Next »
0 Votes
+ -
Maybe a little overstated don't you think?
Socratesfoot Updated - 12th Aug 2009
Let's really think about the amount of disruption from 1-10 on these examples: Gas Lamps to Light bulbs 10, nobody uses gas lamps anymore. Steel Mill example, maybe an 8 or 9. Open Source a 7 because even those that haven't used it benefitted from it. iTunes to buying CD's, that's more like a 4 or 5 tops...people still buy Cd's, or download illegally, or other options; many more then say buy DVD's instead of VHS tapes for example, which I would still only rate about a 5 or 6. But cloud computing? Maybe a 2 or 3 at best.

It's a good idea, don't get me wrong. So were Beta tapes compared to VHS. But disruptive? No, it's a little early to say that. Like iTunes vs. CDs, people are not always using iTunes no matter how cheap and easy a song is to get.

Look at it this way...I bought a really great can opener once that opened the cans from the side of the lid. No sharp edges and resealable. But it didn't fit all the cans and sometimes didn't work. So I bought another regular can opener and most of the time used it instead.

Smaller companies don't really benefit as greatly as larger ones from cloud computing. Cloud computing causes managers to loose control of their own data and that also may stand in it's way. The most important is that it is still too juvenile to know whether companies like Microsoft will take over the whole industry and run the concept into the ground.

Sometimes over time simple and cautious may be better and win out over something that seems conceptually better and more economical. Technology that is disruptive is huge, not just interesting, high tech, or the newest fad.
ie8 fix
Click Here
ie8 fix

The best of ZDNet, delivered

ZDNet Newsletters

Get the best of ZDNet delivered straight to your inbox

ie8 fix