In message , lew
writes
On 2014-10-21, Ken Springer wrote:
On 10/20/14 4:46 PM, ...winston??? wrote:
Data on someone's server, whether we like it today or not, is the
obvious direction the future will take.

Right back to where things started. :-)


But the younger geeks didn't know about the "mainframes"; those
with the knowledge are nearly all gone.

Knew some people who were "out of date" when the skinny neckties
were in vogue; but then became "in" when the fat ties came around
again......:-) Same with the pleated pants, etc...

Back in the late 70's I worked in a building that below us held the
city's huge mainframe machine. I was on nodding terms with the staff
operating and maintaining it.
I was there building primitive computing devices, each one having a
specific task, such as remote control of audio routing systems, word
processing, text messaging and so on. All of these were stand alone and
many never got past the proof-of-concept stage, but they cemented my
views on the future of computing.

When, much later, I had my business, I set up a machine for the
accounts, tax and confidential business information, several machines
for specific operational tasks, a machine for communications, and a
general-purpose internet/email/news machine.

Now I'm retired, I still keep the multiple machines each with a specific
use. If I want to share locally, I use something like Lenovo Share-it.
If I want to use the cloud I do, but I try to control what info goes
there. My internet access occasionally fails for periods until the man
with the ladder gets to the right telegraph pole, so I work locally. I
can use a phablet for access, but only with wifi because of the phone
charges.

I see sons and daughters using the cloud-based systems. Very efficient
when they work, but they often seem to arrive saying "have you got a
computer I can use?". The last time was when he had sat on his iPhone6.

I just hate the idea of huge amounts of my data travelling all around
the world when it doesn't have to. I am always right :-)
--
Bill