IT Professionals

Network Computing Revisited

Posted by on Sep 27, 2010 | 2 Comments

There should be an image here!About ten years ago or less, the widespread experiment tried with network computing was arguably a failure and left many with a bad taste in their mouths. These individuals who had their early experiments with network computing were bound by limited technology abilities, dial-up connections, and by today’s standards, dated technology.

But we still see the problems in existence today with localized computing amongst those who are still plagued by viruses and malware. Despite all of the security software in the world and alleged improved security with Windows 7, I receive calls every day from folks who still run into security issues.

Realizing this,  I cannot help but wonder if revisiting network computing might make sense? Yes, for readers of this newsletter, it would be too limiting. There is really no question of this. But we must consider just how big of a continuing problem Windows malware proves to be. This is not to say that Windows should be used or avoided. Legacy software needs generally dictate this. Perhaps how we manage said operating system requirements is in dire need of a change.

While we are close to this now, using the “cloud” more than ever, the idea of remote management of resources for home users is something that there may, indeed, be a market for.

[Photo above by D'Arcy Norman / CC BY-ND 2.0]

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  • Ken McAvoy

    I agree with the fact that networking in a Microsoft topology is still rather poor. Firstly its slow , secondly vulnerable to all sorts of incursions by net nasties and for a home user too difficult to understand and manage. Its now common for a household to have several PC’s and a laptop all theoretically networked to share files , printer resources and the internet. This should be easy and seamless but even in W7 I find users do not have a clue what Home Networking means and if they combine XP and W7 well good luck as previously shared drives are no longer accessible and printer drivers incompatible. This to me is like saying you have a car but if you need wheels go buy them as an extra. Its high time we developed a PC with the OS on a chip that cannot be altered , it can auto detect and configure any PC/Laptop that the end user (read owner/administrator) says is OK to be added to a local network that cannot be seen from the outside but allows internet and email traffic. I might be naive in hoping for this but not enough work is being done to simplify and make networking more functional and useable. Corporate’s have their own IT expertise so they get by but the Home/SOHO market does it tough these days.

    Ken

  • Christopher

    There is simply no evidence to suggest that data security and far more importantly data privacy will be in any way better protected. If you are all trusting and have little concern for your data’s security and privacy, jump on this latest technology bandwagon. The “economy” needs the boost. Afterall the main players in this are all suffering, aren’t they?