The Downsides of Software as Service

JustinBrock writes "Dvorak's article yesterday, entitled Don't Trust the Servers, argues that the danger of software as a service was highlighted when 'the WGA [Windows Genuine Advantage] server outage hit on Friday evening and was finally repaired on Saturday. It was down for 19 long hours.' The whole fiasco raises an interesting perspective on the software as a service 'fetish'. Dvorak highlights it hypothetically: What if the timeline were reversed, and we were moving from online apps to the desktop. Hear his prophecy of the marketing: 'You can image the advertising push. "Now control your own data!" "Faster processing power now." "Cheaper!" "Everything at your fingertips." "No need to worry about network outages." "Faster, cheaper, more reliable." On and on. I can almost hear the marketing types brag about how much better "shrink wrap" software is than the flaky online apps. The best line for the emergence of the desktop computer in a reverse timeline would be "It's about time!"'"

Let's imagine another hypothetical

[Wuhao]

Let's imagine another hypothetical: one where Dvorak is a respected columnist who is taken seriously. I can see the Slashdot comments now: "Wow, another Dvorak article! Hooray!" "No one understands the industry better than Dvorak!" "This is one of the most insightful and valuable things I've read all week!"

Of course, this is just a hypothetical, and like the one in the article itself has little to do with reality.

Re:When is the last time Dvorak...

[omeomi]

I, for one, can't think of a single upside of "Software as Service"

Dvorak?

[puck01]

Did anyone else have to do a double take on the author of this article. The more I read, the more I'm thinking it can't be Dvorak right? This is pretty sensible. Rechecked the author when I was done and said, "huh"

RE: The Downside of Software as Service

[finalfantasygamer]

I never new there was an Upside!

Damnit, Dvorak

[Applekid]

Great. I happen to agree that putting things in networked services just for the sake of having it in networked services is a waste of resources. But since Dvorak came right out and said it now I haven't got a argumentative leg to stand on. It's like a child molester agreeing with me that we ought to have more public parks.

Next thing you know he'll declare how much he likes pizza, completely undermining my fondness of it.

Re:tech

[Sunburnt]

I prefer total control of my technology

Wow, an assembly programmer who builds his own chips? Where do you find the time to /.?

image?

[martin_henry]

'You can image the advertising push...'

Let me guess....are they GIF's?

Re:Damnit, Dvorak

[DynamoJoe]

If I had mod points, they'd be yours. Next thing you know, Dvorak will come out with a sensible and non-stupid article on Macs, and at that point I drop technology altogether and start farming for a living.

Re:WoW - perfect example

[Anonymous Coward]

Perhaps you should go outside and get some fresh air. ;)