Forum Moderators: goodroi
Google is preparing to offer online storage to Web users, creating a mirror image of data stored on consumer hard drives, according to company documents that were mistakenly released on the Web.
Google lets slip talk of online storage [news.com.com]
This is the previously rumored GDrive online storage service.
okay back to watching 'minority report'
When asked to confirm plans for a GDrive, a Google spokeswoman declined to comment on any specific service but confirmed that presentation containing the notes had been mistakenly released on the Web.
Yeah right ;-)
Probably the best marketing machine in the World.
I can't wait to let Gbot scan all my private information and files!
...and then *mistakenly* release them on the web. Me neither.
either that, a hacker, release them to a wife seking a divorce, or the local police looking for clues in the latest tire slashing. Basically, just not worth it. A new hard drive costs about $100 and I control it.
>> This board has become too vehemently anti-google.
or honest. Should we cheer everything Google does?
I can't wait to let Gbot scan all my private information and files!
Seriously speaking, it's no wonder they're putting up such a fight about the government wanting some of their search data. It's all a big PR stunt. With plans like these, they definitely need to make people think they're very privacy minded. (Which I don't believe for a second, except as it relates to protecting their bottom line.)
Sure, a lot of that info is already out there but at least it is spread among different entities.
I wonder if they'll support rsync or FTP or something cool automated way...
You would then boot up a dumb terminal - perhaps your tv, tablet or pc/laptop - and connect to Google. All file manpulation, processing etc would be done at Google. The only thing that Google would need to send back to you would be data for your peripherals (screen image, joystick feedback, printer info).
You would get all the benefits and functionality of a PC ... without needing a PC. Companies and comsumers would buy touch screen devices, monitors and keyboards - but not the actual computer hardware. Obviously you would pay a fee to use Google in this way.
I've also been thinking about how Google would be keeping copies of peoples files. I guess Google would just keep one copy of a unique file it finds, then every time it sees a dulpicate on someones harddisk it would link to the original file. Google would be able to compress vast amounts of information in this way, though would also have easy access to what files people have or had in the past.
Google 'planning total storage'
Google is the world's foremost search engine
Web giant Google is planning a massive online storage facility to encompass all users' files, it is reported.
The plans were allegedly revealed accidentally after a blogger spotted notes in a slideshow presentation wrongly published on Google's site.
I can't wait to let Gbot scan all my private information and files!
i uninstalled google desktop after i realised it keeps data from files off my companies network drives in its cache, located on my laptop hard drive
i work for a biotech company that does not want their data floating around in the boot of my car which is parked in a bad area of town.
realise this can happen people!
I click on ads in search, but not in gmail, nor would I see myself clicking on ads in anything desktop-ish.
The other thing that I want to add is that such a board is hardly representative of the audience google is targetting. A good number of you use your computers for commercial purposes and therefore information may have a monetary value. But for people like me, I really don't put a price on the latest Mp3 i got, or a cookie I downloaded. I'm thinking that most personal users are in the same boat.
This service also wouldn't be applicable to terrorists or people who'd somehow have fear of the government. But for people like me, i'd live with the risk of having the government search my drives (online and offline) for decent storage space. Granted I hope it never happens but the risk is something I could live with. Perhaps its because i realize i have nothing of huge value or some gigantic secret..
Just some thoughts to shift this discussion to what I think is more realistic/considerate of google's main audience. something it seems like we lose sight of that.
[edited by: rohitj at 9:30 pm (utc) on Mar. 7, 2006]
I've been using gmail forever and not once have I clicked on an ad - am I in the minority?
Probably not. I have not clicked on Gmail ads either; but remember that they also have a CPM model for their ads, and it is not only CPC, so they may be using the CPM ads in Gmail.
Perhaps its because i realize i have nothing of huge value or some gigantic secret..
So what happens if someone hacks Google and then wipes a load of data or the storage corrupts (as sometimes happens)... you'll have no records or back ups - cos Google's 'done it'...
Whilst a lot of this debate may be about privacy and the possibilities of what data google could store, it should also be about practicality of allowing all your data to be kept in one place - a remote place.
Admittedly, many people do with their PC / servers etc - however if your PC or server corrupts at least you have physical access (or in the case of a server physical backups and server backups) and if something is that important you can get it to a data recoverer.
What will Google do on this front.
So less of the 'i have nothing of value' talk please - everything is valuable in it's own way - pictures, cvs, letters of complaint that you need to refer to etc etc
well, some here know, that my main business is file storage and digital goods distribution. I cater to around 4,500 individuals, who host, backup, present, sell and distribute around 1 Terabytes of data right now on my servers.
I AM NOT AMUSED! Google takes a fair portion of traffic away if they like and they dance on many parties. IMHO are they are putting their fingers in a few honey pots too much (Payments, Video Sales, Base, Froogle are all leading to the "master information management tool with cash involved", which ultimately puts you in their hands). Let's say, you sell your powerpoint presentation templates in your OScommerce shop on your own right now. Are you sure, that Google will not lead the searchers for "powerpoint templates" to their own shop within the next 12 months?
Right now the file hosters like streamload, putfile, xdrive or even godaddy with their service should be worried.
BUT: I seriously doubt that this service will be top-notch! Each file, from a photo to a MP3 file has various implications. The deliverance ALONE needs serious thoughts, which I found out during the last 250,000 downloads or so.
File hosting is only a fraction of my business, so I am not too scared, but once the GPay is in place, I will start to worry!
However, if that service has the same quality like the Video Sales stuff, I am not worried at all :-)
2 in the jar...
P!
i kid, i kid
Google will probably next introduce some whacky new thing thing to prop up their stock.
How about
Google Ad Games?
Developers like EA, Sierra, Activision, Blizzard signup and place ads inside games. So the next time you're whacking some monster in World of warcraft you're subjected to ads all over the map.
"The other thing that I want to add is that such a board is hardly representative of the audience google is targetting."
This is correct because the audience they are targeting is the same audience that believes that identity theft comes primarily from shopping on the internet. And the same audience that think that the person they are chatting to is really a 13 year old and not a police officer.
This audience is smart enough to question the reasons why you would trust a large company like Google with any information you prefer to keep private.
There's always the threat of losing information. You have to balance the risk with the benefits. Consider this--There are some who are so concerned about identity theft, that they won't use a credit card or handle bank transactions online. There are others who will adopt the risk and do bank transaction online, shop with a credit card, and even give out their social security. Each looks at what is at stake.
