Cloud Computing: Resistance is Pointless - Cloud Computing is the future of computing but resistance is high due to the presumed lack of control and ownership. These jitters will pass. [Linux_mag clusters]

By moving your applications, storage, or even desktop infrastructure to an external provider, you aren’t losing control but rather gaining more of it. Anyone who uses a hosted web or mail service knows that you have 100% control over the content without the worry of where it is and whether or not the service is available. Perhaps the best options to maintain your desired level of ownership and control is through Service Level Agreements (SLAs), Control Panels, and Administrative Tools — all provided to you by your hosting company.

See also here for comments on Microsoft's view on cloud computing.

After years of hesitation, Microsoft is finally ready to take a big leap into the world of Internet-based computing. That, at least, has been the message for much of this year from senior executives, including CEO Steve Ballmer (pictured).

The wraps are set to be taken off at a conference that the company is throwing for software developers in Los Angeles that starts on Monday.

Depending on what it has up its sleeve, Microsoft’s move could propel it into a new Internet-based approach to computing that has become all the talk of the tech world.

Known as “cloud computing”, this involves a greater centralisation of processing power and information storage in large networks of data centres.