Cloud computing is the provision of dynamically scalable and often virtualised resources as a service over the Internet. Users need not have knowledge of, expertise in, or control over the technology infrastructure in the "cloud" that supports them (Source: Wikipedia).

Now that sounds as if it would be something new. But it isn't. Once in a while, something like that pops up. 20 years ago, we used terminals to connect to IBM or UNIX servers which ran the applications. Unix's X-Windows system is still able to display the output of remote running programs on local displays. Ten or so years ago, we were told that we should run the applications on our local computers but to keep files and applications on LAN servers.

On a first glance, it looks promising. Nothing on local drives, all programs and data reside on remote servers. But it didn't really catch on. Why? Because it took some time to launch the programs, to load and to save data over the LAN, the licensing issue was a mess and the single server introduced a single point of failure.

Now it's cloud computing with the Internet providing the cloud. The promises are the same: Access to a great variety of software, remote data storage means no need for local backups. The lazy man's dream.

But think about it: No access to your data without Internet. Accessing programs will cost money, long(er) load and save times. And you must rely on other people to protect your data. And that is what T-Mobile's 'Sidekick' customers did. Some of them just lost their personal data because the data storage provider '>Danger' (a Microsoft subsidiary), didn't do backups (see report from >Engadget).

What is the value of one's addresses, calendar entries or photos? T-Mobile believes it is about US$ 100 - though not cash, but as a voucher to other services. What would you say if somebody loses your important data and says: Hey, sorry. Too bad. Here's a 100 Dollar. You can use that to buy other services from me.. What kind of service and security can one expect, if the provider values your data at 100 Dollars in, well, vouchers?

Other companies had problems too (like Google's Email-Services, Amazon), though they didn't lose any data.

If something sounds too good to be true - you know the saying. It is a headache to backup and to protect data. However - a nice big hard drive or NAS device costs less than a 100 bucks and allows you to copy all of your important files.

I personally would not entrust anybody with the safety of my data. It's just too important to me. I won't let any 'cloud' block the view of the sun.