Amazon set to flex its cloud-computing arm

Marketwatch.com ^ | 3/24/2014 | Rex Crum

[RoosterRedux]

But for the average consumer, there is a part of Amazon

[jjsheridan5]

Modem/routers would have to possess some of the abilities of small PCs or at least a “streambox” like Apple TV or Roku. Anything capable of running a web browser should be able to reach web-based storage and apps.

I have had that idea for a little while (so I assume about a billion other people have, as well). The one hickup in my setup is that I don't want to have to set up a vnsserver (? I forget the name) on each machine I want to access my "computers" from, so I just do everything in command line. As a result, I still use a pc for a lot of things, although the bulk of my non-critical data is all on my virtual network.

A machine like what I think you are describing will make a killing.

[CodeToad]

Not following you. Cloud computing is about servers not desktops.

[earlyapex]

Indeed it might - I am using a trial of an AWS hosted desktop service called WorkSpaces. You have a windows desktop running in their environment, and can use a client application [pc, mac, ios, future pcoip/zero client] to connect to it from anywhere. Works very well.

It is definitely not as universally useful as the server/infrastructure type services, but I have found it quite useful as I’ve been testing it.

[disclaimer, I don’t work for amazon, but I am an AWS certified solution architect]

[petercooper]

The cloud is servers. Amazon probably has tons of server farms around the world.

[tomkat]

This thread is a strong clue that I've fallen behind the tech curve and won't be catching up .. lol  (sorta)

[jjsheridan5]

Indeed it might - I am using a trial of an AWS hosted desktop service called WorkSpaces. You have a windows desktop running in their environment, and can use a client application [pc, mac, ios, future pcoip/zero client] to connect to it from anywhere. Works very well.

I have never used Amazon Web Services, only RackSpace, but in RackSpace you can set up a new server as a Linux or PC machine (most major flavors of Linux). I have had no problem running it as a virtual desktop (I don't do this on a regular basis, just played around with it), not a server. Is WorkSpaces any different than that arrangement, with VNSServer as the client application?

[AppyPappy]

” It’s just pennies a month to backup your (encrypted) data to the Amazon cloud.”

I’m paying them to store my data in some 3rd world hellhole?

Pass.

[AppyPappy]

Rackspace built a development office right next to Virginia Tech. Smart move

[RoosterRedux]

I read an article a few weeks ago that seemed to imply that since all the software is run on cloud servers and all the computation power resided in the cloud that a desktop computer wasn’t really needed.

[RoosterRedux]

I think I remember something about desktops being replaced with zero clients or thin clients?

Sorry to be so fuzzy...so new to it, I'm barely able to discuss this stuff.

[garyb]

I’m paying them to store my data in some 3rd world hellhole?

AWS regions: US East (Northern Virginia), US West (Oregon), US West (Northern California), EU (Ireland), Asia Pacific (Singapore), Asia Pacific (Tokyo), Asia Pacific (Sydney), and South America (Sao Paulo).

You can choose where to store your data.
AWS Free Usage Tier FAQs http://aws.amazon.com/free/faqs/

[9YearLurker]

AWS is a good business, but 90-95% profitability? I don’t think so.

[CodeToad]

Of course, just an etch-a-sketch. :)

[CodeToad]

Thin clients basically have no software but a browser and limited computing power so they are supposed to be cheap. Hasn’t been the case, however. IT departments load down the systems with “security” features as to be nearly useless.

[RoosterRedux]

Thx much!

[Terry L Smith]

I see all those fancy-dan geekasmic things on Amazon, when I am looking to find a real book.

I’ve got no use for all that fancy stuff.

[eddie willers]

I’ve been predicting thin clients since before I got my first WebTV.

One of these days I’ll be right!

[BubbaJunebug]

Whoa...just found my reason for not using Amazons cloud

From the Amazon cloud site...

Obama for America

“AWS allowed us to have a technology partner that matched our scaling internally with the organization.”

Harper Reed
Chief Technology Officer

[Wuli]

now, more and more companies, big and small, will wind up wth EVERYTHING data-computing-wise coming to a standstill when some major electric-telecom failure causes loss of all Internet access

“cloud” computing for all it offers ALSO offers MORE SYSTEMIC issues across a greater spectrum of people when their is a systemic problem with either power or communications

“greater cloud use” with all its benefits will also create greater systemic vulnerability

[Wuli]

now, more and more companies, big and small, will wind up wth EVERYTHING data-computing-wise coming to a standstill when some major electric-telecom failure causes loss of all Internet access

“cloud” computing for all it offers ALSO offers MORE SYSTEMIC issues across a greater spectrum of people when their is a systemic problem with either power or communications

“greater cloud use” with all its benefits will also create greater systemic vulnerability