Comments on: The Sustainability Potential of Cloud Computing: Smarter Design

By: Gee Unitas

Gee Unitas — Sun, 10 Apr 2011 05:57:49 +0000

I have recently begun doing some research on cloud computing and one issue comes to my mind. As we have seen during the Middle East, the control over internet access has been a major issue. Those that control major network nodes have a lot of influence over the flow of data. Seeing as how cloud computing makes users more dependent on the internet for access to tools and infromation to do their work, isn’t this a bit risky? The more reliance on cloud computing, the more at risk when/if the physical components of the internet are attacked. Or do you have faith that the US gov’t won’t do the same as other nations around the world that have had civil unrest?

By: Andie McKinnan

Andie McKinnan — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 17:21:56 +0000

It’s not just the technology, it’s also the age old wisdom of location, location, location. In our virtual world the siting of your cloud computing is free, so why not make the most of it. The issue is explored more at this website on datacenter siting: http://www.fincloud.freehostingcloud.com/

By: Bruce Evans

Bruce Evans — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 20:03:53 +0000

One must measure the physical costs and the personnel costs. Customers are always trying to reduce the cost to build and maintain their IT infrastructures. Cloud Computing potentially provides a great potential solution.
- Enables authorized access via the consumer’s choice of device (PC, PDA, iPhone, etc.), provides simpler centralized management of client applications, and ubiquitous access (i.e. gmail)
- it dramatically increases the server utilization rate, decreases power consumption and management required to keep systems operational.
The combination of excellent virtualization and management software & outstanding security will facilitate this evolution.

By: R.Hill

R.Hill — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 17:56:15 +0000

Cloud Computing/Virtulization is the new “kill app” in
the technology sector. Although, not truly new, but reborn as technology has advanced to enable virtulization as well as the demand for such technology. As with any new technolgy you have those whom embrace it early and late adaptures.

The current economic environment has moved many cio’s to take a second look at network and this technology, as it has matured to allow multiple applications to architect there legacy networks. The shrinking global business environment, policy issues, csr/climate change, and demand on a global scale has also been key to the highten awareness of this application.

Telcom CEO’s can now promote sustainable services to their clients, and a more efficent and cost savings product all based on a per seat usage basis.

By: Tom Larsen

Tom Larsen — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 13:56:21 +0000

All great points about better thoughtfulness. I wonder if there aren’t also tangible environmental benefits in the form of savings to cloud computing.

Less multiple versions of files sent via email might mean less data on remote terminals, which might mean less printing.

More data on the web might mean people actually turn off their own desktop computers more.

More data on the web means more people can purchase laptops instead of desktops. If everyone using a desktop was able to switch to a laptop, those power savings would be enormous, wouldn’t they.

I bet there are other benefits, too.