TECHNOLOGY: The risks of cloud computing

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Vista News (email newsletter)
Vol. 2, # 56 – Jan 29, 2009 – Issue # 65
Venturing into the Cloud – A Little Bit at a Time
Editor’s Corner

*** begin quote ***

One frequently expressed suspicion of the cloud computing concept is that the companies offering these services are a little like schoolyard drug dealers. The first ones are free, but once they get you hooked (that is, once the cloud replaces desktop applications completely), then they’ll start charging you for the service and you’ll have to keep paying and paying and paying to use your computer productively.

Folks don’t like that idea. They know that technically, they don’t “own” the software they buy in a box or download from a vendor’s web site, but they feel comfortable in the knowledge that after they pay a one-time licensing fee, they can use that program for as long as they want without paying more – at least until they change operating systems or hardware. The notable exception is antivirus and other anti-malware programs, but the rationale there is that you aren’t paying a subscription fee for use of the program itself, but for the new definitions that it has to download on a regular basis.

Most of the individual computer users I’ve talked to about this say that even if the overall cost turns out to be lower, they want to pay for their software up front instead of via a monthly or annual subscription. They absolutely hate the idea that if they stop paying, their applications will stop working (or in the case of storage services, they might be locked out of their data). It’s similar to the way most people would prefer to buy a car rather than leasing it; they like that feeling that it’s theirs until they decide to get rid of it, that someone can’t just take it away from them (although I guess in the case of most car buyers today, that’s just an illusion because the vast majority of folks finance their vehicles rather than paying for them in full).

*** end quote ***

That’s the essential concern. Switch from free to pay?

No, I think the concern is that the “service” — free or pay — just goes away taking your data with it. Kodak pictures is the ONLY one that I’ve adopted and I have been EXTREMELY carefull to keep a complete backup. But it’s still a concern.

And, what do you do when you can’t get a network connect at a price you can afford?

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Posted by reinkefj

JOBSEARCH: Google tools for your search

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

https://docs.google.com/View?docid=dds75d9q_5546hhh2tgd&hgd=1

Tips to Enhance a Job Search Using Google Tools
By Jennifer Petoff, PhD, Google University Programs

*** begin quote ***

Here’s a quick snapshot of some tools that you can use to:

   *   Identify and target companies of interest

   *   Network, enhance your web presence, and showcase your accomplishments to potential employers

   *   Prepare for an interview and ultimately land an ideal position

*** end quote ***

And, a list of the ways you can use Google in jobsearch.

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SOFTWARE: POSTBOX beta

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

http://www.postbox-inc.com

The Postbox public beta is now live!

*** begin quote ***

We wanted to extend a special “thank you” for participating in the Private Beta program. Your feedback has been instrumental in getting us to where we are today. It has been remarkable to see the connection and passion people have with their email client.

You can now download the Postbox public beta from our newly designed website, http://www.postbox-inc.com. Please keep the feedback coming and be sure to tell your friends, family, and co-workers about Postbox!

Gratefully yours,
The Postbox Team

*** end quote ***

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Sorry “Not Recommended”.

It wouldn’t install. Nor was there any response to my two negative reports on GETSATISFACTION that they were using as their support site.

IMHO not ready for BETA status.

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INTERESTING: Should economists be held accountable for their forecasts

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

“How much should economists be held accountable for their forecasts?  Should we view them the same as TV weather forecasters, where the public acknowledges that the science of forecasting can be highly unpredictable and therefore all predictions should be taken with a grain of salt? Or should economists be held to a higher standard? For instance, their forecasts often dictate how a state spends, or saves, its money. At what point should they face some kind of penalty for incorrectly predicting economic changes?”

What’s next? Holding politician’s accountable? Don’t make me laff!

The joke in college was that “you could lay all the economists end to end from here to the moon and never reach a conclusion”!

Sort of like the archeologist’s theory about a dead civilization. Or, a scientist’s assumption how the world began. Who cares? But the question of economics is really important to our life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Economics is the dismal science. It tells us that there is NOT enough to go around. We have to share scarce resources. Make smart decisions. That there is no goose laying golden eggs.

So we have to have good economics. Good forecasts. Great ideas.

We have to hold them accountable. And, not just with the media driving it’s agenda.

Maybe we need “certified” forecasts. Where the economist bets a paycheck on that. Get it wrong and he has to become the WalMart greeter!

Same for politicians.

Barney Frank for his FannieMay and FreddieMac predictions, WalMart!

Argh!

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RANT: Medical treatments will be tracked electronically by a federal system {Breaking News}

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601039&refer=columnist_mccaughey&sid=aLzfDxfbwhzs

Ruin Your Health With the Obama Stimulus Plan
Commentary by Betsy McCaughey
reported on Bloomberg

*** begin quote ***

Feb. 9 (Bloomberg) — Republican Senators are questioning whether President Barack Obama’s stimulus bill contains the right mix of tax breaks and cash infusions to jump-start the economy.

Tragically, no one from either party is objecting to the health provisions slipped in without discussion. These provisions reflect the handiwork of Tom Daschle, until recently the nominee to head the Health and Human Services Department.

Senators should read these provisions and vote against them because they are dangerous to your health. (Page numbers refer to H.R. 1 EH, pdf version).

The bill’s health rules will affect “every individual in the United States” (445, 454, 479). Your medical treatments will be tracked electronically by a federal system. Having electronic medical records at your fingertips, easily transferred to a hospital, is beneficial. It will help avoid duplicate tests and errors.

But the bill goes further. One new bureaucracy, the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology, will monitor treatments to make sure your doctor is doing what the federal government deems appropriate and cost effective. The goal is to reduce costs and “guide” your doctor’s decisions (442, 446). These provisions in the stimulus bill are virtually identical to what Daschle prescribed in his 2008 book, “Critical: What We Can Do About the Health-Care Crisis.” According to Daschle, doctors have to give up autonomy and “learn to operate less like solo practitioners.”

*** end quote ***

Surprise, surprise, surprise.

We’re like the Jim Neighbor’s character, the village idiot, and we’ll be “suprised” that this “stimulus bill” has a lot of “interesting ideas” in it.

DownSizeDC is right: Read The Bills (make the congresscritters read what they are voting on), One Subject At A Time (No mash ups), and all their other suggestions. (www.downsizedc.org)

This is a disaster. It has NO —- none, zero, nada —- redeeming value.

It’s going to send us down the road to debt and a ultimately societal collapse. Not in the next thirty minutes. Thankfully, I won’t have to pick up the pieces, but a terrible legacy to leave behind.

I wonder if the citizens of the Roman Empire saw it coming as well? Debt, Inflation, Circuses, collapse.

Privacy and security down the tubes. There are no computer break ins or leaks. The gooferment can’t secure its prisons, but your medical records will be just fine. Ask ARod how it feels to have private medical records discussed by the President on National TV!

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JOBFINDING: Many IT jobs at hedge funds

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

One of my silver hunters (ME) has a grocery list of positions she trying to fill now. (These are real jobs. No shadows!)

All jobs are with hedge funds. Manhattan or lower CT. Pay 130 or more with a bonus. Immediate openings, despite the headlines.

* Cognos developers with Microssoft SQL

*Data Architects with accounting

* Microsoft Exchange

* Microsoft Server

* Project managers

* VOIP implementation

* Manager of Distributed Computing

* VM Architect

Please reply with how you fit and we’ll see if it’s a mathc.

Disclaimer: I get nothing out of this other than the pleasure out of helping a nice lady (ME) who needs to fill these jobs.

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Posted by reinkefj

RANT: Was O’s “press conference” really a dog ‘n’ pony show?

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

As I was forced to watch this “political theater” by Frau, I tried to do something useful — beat my best Sudoku time. No sense wasting time.

I was taken by a picture on Drudge of O and the teleprompter.

Then, watching the live event, (after messing up a puzzle and before starting a new one), i was SHOCKED!

“I’m shocked, shocked to find that gambling is going on in here!” Captain Renault in Casablanca  

Shocked with the realization that he was READING his “answers” to the questions!

Were the questions submitted in advance?

Were the “impromptu” answers pre-written for them?

Was this all a GIANT fraud? A dog ‘n’ pony show that was NOT what it was supposed to be. Reporters asking a President with controversial problem tough question?

Say it ain’t so, Joe. (Biden might actual blurt out the truth!)

Was this a big fraud? Was the media complicit in this “theater”?

Well!? I’d like some answers.

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POLITICAL: Meling down O’s new new deal!

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXxNRNOjCM8  

Five minute video on “Meltdown” and “New New Deal”. Bottom line — “stimulus” doesn’t work. Buy gold, we’re heading for the “uncharted waters”. Socialism aheard. Wrecked the Soviets, and every one else who tried it; will do the same to us.

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MONEY: Insurance and employment considering the meltdown

Monday, February 9, 2009

Unfortunately, most people get their health and life insurance via their employer.

That presents a problem when you get nuked (i.e., fired, laid off, or quit).

Health insurance is expensive. Hospital bills are catastrophic.

If you have the opportunity, it may be worthwhile to pick up a catastrophic health insurance policy on your own or through a group. Fraternal organizations have such; as do groups such as Independent Consulting organizations.

Money well spent.

Also life insurance. But that is much cheaper and easier.

Now, with respect to life insurance, it’s always better to have one policy than two. The setup fee is wasted. But, I’m going to suggest that you rethink that strategy. ESPECIALLY if life insurance is very important to your family. (Two earner family with children or One earner family with children.)

You may wish to have TWO life insurance policies with DIFFERENT insurers, despite the added cost.

We haven’t seen the current subprime creditmeltdown financial mess hit the Insurance Companies. … … Yet?

By having two policies, you’ll have two ticket in that sweepstakes.

Life insurance is cheap. (Minimal gooferment regulation!)

Health insurance isn’t. (Lot’s of gooferment “help” there!) But, going “naked” is potentially disastrous.

Suggest an insurance review NOW!

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Remember the news reports that 9 out of 10 financial professionals at Cantor Fitzgerald had no life insurance? And, 9/11 happened. I remember my grandparents saying: “A family man, who dies without life insurance, doesn’t die, he absconds.” Big word for them “absconds”. But they were surprising folks. It’s a true then as it is now.

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RANT: Eliminate the SEC

Monday, February 9, 2009

Since the SEC failed to catch Madoff, despite nine years of warnings, I think its $950 million annual budget is obviously a waste of money.

And, what genius eliminated the “Uptick Rule”? And, “mark to market” for illiquid securities; that value is obviously zero. And, on and on.

What’s Chapter 11 for a failed gooferment agency?

Right, give it a budget increase!

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