Electronics

[Cha1k]

On several threads I've read where folks are reluctant to use cloud services provided by their smartphone/cellular companies.

Saving files/info in the "cloud" simply means that you are storing that information to a company's computer bank (server). We have been doing this for years.  

- Our email providers have always stored our email messages on their computers (email servers).

- Retail stores store your credit card info on their servers everytime you swipe your card.

- Online stores (including QVC and Amazon) have your credit card stored for easy checkout.  Not only do they have your CC info, they also keep a record of everything you've ever bought or looked at so they can show you items you might also be interested in the next time you shop there.

- Your doctor or dentist (assuming they are using digital patient entry services) are saving your information to the "cloud".

- Any web based email service, i.e. Yahoo, Hotmail, Gmail stored your contacts and all messages sent and received from/to your account.  Google even tailors the ads you see according to key words found within your email messages.

I'm not afraid to use cloud services from companies that I trust.  In my opinion, Apple's method of securing information stored on their cloud service is one of the most secure.

Many of us use "cloud" services because of the convenience it offers.  

[glb613]

I don't want to pay a monthly or yearly fee. 

[Sunshine Kate]

I don't want to pay any type of fee whatsoever.  

The "cloud" CAN also get hacked.  I try to limit my personal exposure as much as I have control over. 

[Lilysmom]

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@glb613 wrote:

I don't want to pay a monthly or yearly fee. 

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Me too.  I think the free limited cloud space is just a come on for fee based cloud services.  I also worry about security.  Some times it is touted as secure until it isn't.  LM

[wildcat fan]

I don't mind using cloud services on my personal devices, but not for my work devices.  I don't do anything inappropriate or non-work related on those devices, but I don't like the idea of Big Brother having easy access to all of my work documents even if they do own the device.  

[LTT1]

@Cha1k

I do LOVE dropbox and we pay a nominal fee and get TONS of storage.  I have approx 5,000 photos and 75 videos and still there is a ton of space... started out with the free svc -- it was so good that I wanted to keep it and pay.

We also have additional storage in iCloud and pay a nominal yearly fee for it... now that we have three devices, it is important to have it (to me) backing up our devices.

I just read that Amazon Prime members now have free cloud storage (and it sounded somewhat good, except it has some "kinks" to work out according to the reviews).

IMO, nothing beats having photos preserved by uploading to a cloud when you don't even have the phone on (during the night).

Dropbox was better for storing .doc and .pdf files and I needed those for teaching like "RIGHT NOW."

[gardenman]

I love cloud storage. It's a huge relief knowing that your files are all safely backed up and that no matter what happens to your devices that simply logging in gives you access to them all again.

[Cha1k]

@glb613

5GB of iCloud storage is free.  That would be enough storage for many folks who don't have lots of photos or documents.

I pay $1/month ($12/year) for 50GB storage on Apple's iCloud.  I spend that much on one dinner for just myself on most occasions.

50GB will let me store all my contacts, calendar events, over 6000 photos, the backup for all my devices. and documents that I want access to on my computer and all my devices.

I have control over which documents I store on iCloud.  My instructions for classes I teach, class registration lists, recipes, shopping lists, etc. are things I store on iCloud.

I also use the free services provided by Evernote and Dropbox.  Have many things stored all over the internet  and have used these for years.  

Wherever I go, even overseas - on any device I'm on - as long as I have internet service, I have access to all that info.  For me it's an invaluable service and moreso the older I get.  

[Cha1k]

@gardenman

I also like having my files/photos stored offsite.  I live in tornado/flood country - just been thru an entire week of tornado warnings and flood watches/warnings and even though I have DVD backups and use an external hard drive, those can get swept away in a second.

It gives me peace of mind to know that all of that is stored somewhere else in case my home is destroyed.

Like you, the relief of knowing they are safely backed up plus the convenience of having all my digital content synced to all my devices is well worth it to me.

[Cha1k]

@Sunshine Kate

Most of the 'personal' stuff (contacts, calendars) people have stored in the cloud is available somewhere online.  

If you use Google (Android), for example, your contacts are stored on Google's cloud.  Same with your email -- whoever you use for an email provider stores ALL your email messages on their servers unles you have specifically set your preferences to pull them off when you download your mail.  Even then, while they are sitting there waiting for you to log on and get your email, they are stored on that company's server.

Same with Google calendar.  It's stored on their server too.  

Yes, any cloud service can be hacked.  My bank can be hacked too, but I still use their service.  I even have my bank's app on all my mobile devices so I can access my account from anywhere and can deposit checks or transfer money from anywhere.  

Amazon and QVC can be hacked, but I still store my credit card on their servers and even keep a wish list on there of things I want to buy in the future.

In my opinion, carrying a wallet/check book with my bank account number, my address and my signature (on my driver's license) is much more vunerable to theft than anything I have stored online....because sometimes I'm a forgetful soul and misplace lots of things!