patndoris TechnoGeek

No, No! I didn't get that confused with FiOS (which according to Verizon is an Irish word meaning knowledge) but is in reality a shortened version of Fiber Optic Service, a service offered by said telecommunications giant. IFOS is something totally different - but knowing me - I bet you guessed that didn't you? (*Wink* You're SO smart!) Might I add, IFOS means nothing in any language I know of, but is another irrational internet fear proudly made up (uh....discovered, I mean discovered...) by me. (Note to self....may need to look into copyrighting or patenting or something, all these newly created (ahem...discovered) internet related mental defects. (Defects?! Did I say defects? Let's call them challenges....) When they make it into mainstream medical diagnosis, I can get RICH!

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But back to IFOS. I suppose it's the wave of the future...but not my future. Online storage of whatever you want. I mean, pictures on Flickr or Photobucket? OK. Those I can handle (but I still have copies on the laptop). My HTML, CSS, and SQL databases for my website - sure! Gotta do that or no patndoris.com.(And...um...I backup them all up to my laptop too....) But my personal information? My documents, my music, my files?? You must be kidding!

It's yet another of my big internet fears: Irrational Fear of Online Storage. I'm well aware the happy little yellow lock next to the address bar on my IE tells me it's a secure socket layer (SSL) site. It should be ok. Or that HTTPS:// stands for a secure website. Yup, I know that too. But it's not the transmission of the data that's the problem. It's the fact that once transmitted it resides somewhere beyond my control. Control issues? Hmmm....wonder if there's something to that...may mull it over later... But the fact is, I don't feel safe storing my files elsewhere. I don't care how safe they tell me they are, I like to minimize any usage of such sites (although on occasion it is unavoidable.)

It's supposed to offer a sense of security. I can get to my files whenever, from wherever, and I can share them with whomever I choose. Great right? Nope! If I can do all that - what stops someone from hacking in and getting to all my stuff? Many sites offer several GB of storage free (reeling in the unsuspecting, getting them hooked, then making them want more space. More space = $$ for these companies.) Really, server space ain't free. Don't let them kid you. Sure they may have more than they need now and it's a great way to get their service rolling. But sooner or later if everyone jumped on what I consider the crazy train bandwagon, they'd need more hardware, more space. That costs money, and once your data is out there of course you'll have to pay to keep it safe right?

Not me! I've a big fear of these kinds of sites. I prefer to keep my data right at my bedside, on a 320 GB external hard drive. I backup the laptop nightly. No - I can't get to my data from anywhere at any time. But I can share it I suppose, if I chose, when I'm on the computer. I just don't see the purpose behind these sites. If you don't have enough storage space - go get a bigger hard drive. Save your files to CD or DVD, or another drive. Be for real! Does sending them into cyber space make you feel safe?? The mere thought of a website accessing my computer for a scheduled backup of the files I find important sends chills down my spine. After all, don't we install firewalls to keep people OUT of our precious data??

There's more than enough personal data you virtually (no pun intended) have to supply to sites in order to have a happy internet existence. Probably enough to allow someone who knows how to do quite a bit of damage. I don't need anyone having the opportunity to do more. Enough sites already maintain data on bank accounts, court cases, credit cards, etc. Hackers already have enough to delve into. Why feed them more? And does anyone stop to think about this one? Any ill gotten media or software you back up out there - well let's just say all the secure scrubbing of your hard drive in the world will mean nothing if you've got stuff saved in online storage and the feds have a subpoena.

Perhaps I'm being irrational (hence my self diagnosis of IFOS) but I like my personal data to stay personal. That means with ME. You can do whatever you want, I won't pass judgement (at least not out loud...well maybe out loud but I'll try to keep it to a minimum) but I'm not going to move into this online world of mass storage. And I don't think computer manufacturers really expect you will either. Hard drives get bigger and bigger. If they really thought you were going to use these services, they could stop such nonsense, and make them (and the computers) smaller and smaller and lighter and lighter. They seem to find other ways to do this besides cutting hard drive size now don't they. So they, like me, must then (through my warped and twisted  logic) believe that your data is safer with you!