Report: KDE4, the Anti-Cloud Desktop

Good to read an article that isn't extolling cloud computing as the best thing since sliced bread. Who in their right mind wants to cede control of their desktop to Google or other tech. companies? Control freaks don't like giving up control -- and I don't!

I agree with you completely. There's just one thing I don't understand. What's a conrol?

A "con roll" is what Microsoft attempts with... well, just about everybody.

New terms are coined here every day... yessiree, just another day at LXer.

This article was refreshing. Not the typical uncritical "Ooh, Ah, Shiny Free Cloud Apps" fanfare.

I disagree with one thing though. I don't think that the Affero GPL is in any way a practical guarantee for an end user (not even if all cloud Apps were AGPL licensed). Even if you have the source code to a web app, you don't have physical/root access to the machines it runs on. Even if the cloud provider is nice enough to give you the exact corresponding source code to his compiled app (how can you verify this?), you can't know what other tools they are running internally on your data.

If that trust can't be established, your only option is to become your own Cloud hoster. But that kind of defeats the purpose, doesn't it? Instead of less hardware you get more, as you additionally need to run your own server and storage solution.

It's nice to know that the KDE project is full-speed ahead with developing a DE that is capable of harnassing the power of the web, without sacrificing end user control. I have no idea what the exact plans for Gnome 3.0 are (is G.O.D. still alive?), but if they lean towards making Gnome a shell for launching Cloud Apps, I will switch back to KDE in a heartbeat.

Wikipedia says: Conrol an abbreviation for storied criminal activity:

                1. First the Mark* is conned**.

                2. Second the Mark is rolled***.

*     Term to denote intended targets, used both in the singular and plural sense. Acronym victim.

**   Vernacular for deceive, lie to, swindle, cheat and scam.

***    Violent method to deprive individual or groups of their possessions. For example, cash, jewelry, clothing, vehicles and nearly anything seeming to have value, even if ephemeral. While the violence can be extreme it usual stops short of homicide, since the more rational proponents of these methods like to repeat the process for further gains.

[citations needed]

In a sense, similar practices have been noted to have been employed by major corporations, governments as well as independent operations. Organized crime is a prominent proponent of the methods, provided the events and results are not publicly disseminated to a wider audience.

[assertions not proved by citation or backed by known reliable sources. needs editing.]

TEM: Linkies?

r_a_trip: My problem with cloud computing is that I don't trust the provider with my data. When my identity was stolen my box was secure. The mail server run by the hosting company I used at the time was not. Guess where the problem occurred?

Cloud computing, formerly network computing, formerly thin client computing, has been touted for years and years and years. Thankfully the public has never been ready to buy. Even with the shiny new, friendly sounding terminology I'm hoping people will be suspicious enough to avoid it. It's really a return to the old mainframe model of computing. Thanks but no thanks.

I have no problem with KDE 4. I understand that people don't like the changes but I'm not one of them. The one think the KDE devs didn't change is that KDE is still bloatware just like 3.5.x. Again, thanks but no thanks. I hope the GNOME devs don't follow the KDE model of bigger is better and to heck with system resources.

gus3,

Forever more you are cursed to be a stable as a three legged stool with unmatched legs.

Scratch that, pure hyperbole.

Empirical studies that were recently confirmed by clinical trials found those that experience encounters of the Txt. kind recover within minutes without deleterious after effects that consist, at most of a chuckle or two or a snide comment and a facial grimace. Of those affected, most recover within minutes to a few hours and exhibit no long term loss of reality as they previously experienced it. A very high percentage go on to live long, dull lives with a very few revert to the use of the Windows OS to broaden their Vistas* so they can assure themselves they can still experience pain. However, there is a very small number that can suffer for weeks, but they too recover completely.

So gus, if you are part of the latter group I prescribe your getting some reality crutches to support you in your temporary unstable state. Also do not rise rapidly from a seated or reclining position, since vertigo is a certainty and without support you may injure youself.

So be well. it will pass.

YBT

* I get checks from MS for those that make the change as part of my role as the assigned, resident MS Shill on LXer.com.

The biggest problem with cloud computing I see is that as the netbook and the cellphone merge, the telcom is going to control everyone's data.

I don't think that merger is going to happen. Yes, there will be hybrid products, the so-called smartbooks, but conventional cell phones and netbooks will continue as well.

caitlyn I hope you are right, but my experience with the up and coming generation that don't like windows and love their cell phones, are already replacing the PCs with their cell phones.