Cloud Computing: Who to trust in the Future?

Gapingvoid inspired me this morning to chat about a topic I've had on my mind for a while.

What is the current perception of cloud computing? Is it one of fear, excitement, the tremble of unrealized potential? All of the above?

Most certainly cloud computing is compelling and its usefulness unquestionable. By eliminating the need for individual installations and simply utilizing a worldwide server group-think, we can all move in and out of our current software needs easily and endlessly on a whim. That type of potential is usually enough to get hard-core folks eyelids to raise.

But what happens as we enter and leave this cloud of data? We are swimming in the pool of human knowledge and ability, all the while perceiving that we are safe on this playground. But exactly WHO is controlling the pool?

Right now, it's companies we know and “trust,” like Amazon, Sun, Microsoft and others. An admirable list, and one built of companies that have big interests in bottom lines, customer satisfaction and market perception. In this new, bold market, who will the power broker be of the massive pool of data? At some point will we all attempt to consolidate rather than compartmentalize our stuff with company loyalties and lock-in access to specific cloud functions.

As mentioned, Gapingvoid has a nice write-up of this same issue. In his opinion, such a consolidation could lead to the largest company to ever exist. The old adage “information is power” definitely rings true here. Who emerges as the “leader?” An existing player? An outside source? A governmental entity?

The responsibility for the control of information is a high calling, and one I would wish on no one. But the idea of the controlled cloud is undoubtedly one that has bounced around in corporate board rooms, and it's not an idea that will die easily, I would imagine.