I believe this marks the biggest change in Ubuntu’s history. More-so Canonical’s. Taking a leap forward without knowing exactly what Unity could do to their reputation, and still giving it a shot. It takes much effort to put forward your vision. The vision however, may not be seen as soon as it is revealed, but may instead take a little longer to settle in.
A few months ago I wrote that Ubuntu should hit the shelves. Due to Unity being a big hop, why not? Since it’s such a swift turn in direction from other streamline distributions, it’s the best time to throw it out there. People in the store would know Ubuntu as Unity, not straight-forward GNOME. This, I believe, would be a natural come-to for new-comers to Ubuntu, and Linux in general. Get them used to it as Unity and stick with it.
Outegrations that need Improved
As it is, there is a “Files & Folders” icon that you can click on and proceed to a folder. When you click on this folder it opens up a file browser (Nautilus) – This should be changed and allow you to navigate through folders within that area. Much like Nautilus, this icon should also allow you to point at a music file and it starts playing – Or you can right click it, and select “Play,” “Add to Queue,” or something else that would be suitable such as: “Sync,” or “Push.” Basically, the entire “Unity” experience needs or should be integrated into Ubuntu One. It shouldn’t be forced onto the user, but should be there/exposed for convenience.
This is an outegration that is a downside to the clutter-free / seamless environment. It by default, should be an integration.
Not a Review
This is not a review. Just a “some things I’d change” post. I have not used it long enough to give any final passing-thoughts. I feel that this is a big relocate-move for Ubuntu, and it’s still too touchy to be able to lay a final piece out.
Edit: I removed the “Social Layer” bit due to this already being available when you click on your own username. I was thinking something slightly different, but this works practically the same way. (being able to easily post updates to networks)
OK — First off: The cloud isn’t anything new. It’s just cheaper, and easier for anyone to get their hands on. More-so, companies and various individuals have made it easier to manage. Text documents, music, videos, whatever. It’s literally no different than renting a fleet of servers and managing them with some fancy software, yourself.
What?
Hopefully this video will help you understand the “cloud” to at least a “minimal.”
Cloud Computing - How it all works
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2:33
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tbonedk86
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29,634
Description
Cloud Computing - How it all works
OK?
So hopefully you get the idea of the cloud if you did not have an idea before.
Do you think the cloud is good for you? For all your files, etc? No. I hope you don’t. The cloud is not meant for personal files. It should never be meant for personal files. There’s exceptions to consider. Such as websites (this website is hosted on amazon’s EC2 currently), random odd music files, etc for backup. But should your personal pictures be there?
If you wouldn’t hang these files up in plain form in your back yard (on a clothes line), then I wouldn’t considering doing the same for the cloud. This goes for all services. Twitter, Facebook, MySpace; virtually anything that can be considered personal from the time you post something personal.
On a side note: There’s tons of people out there that make a living off of exposing their off-the-Internet life. There’s nothing wrong with that. If you can have fun while doing it, and be safe, by all means.
Obviously there’s some files that wouldn’t make a difference public or private. Just think clearly before putting them out there in the open.
Even Facebook says it does not delete everything straight a-way after deactivating/deleting your account.
The Cloud is Already Broke
There, I’ll be one of the ones to say it. The cloud in current form as far as “social websites,” “file backup services,” and anything else that leverages the cloud for direct and in-direct use is in-fact.. broke.
It’s not the provider’s fault either. It’s more of some of the Internet Service Providers, and others that can’t mind their own business (people that send other people pointless “DMCAs”).
The Cloud “Extended..”
In an what I like to call “extended” cloud, services like Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube will not make it through the cross-fire if Internet companies continue to dish out nasty blows to each other, and end-consumers. (however, then you see companies that like to push for non-equal Internet pipes (Verizon?))
Just to elaborate on the extended cloud definition: Any service that can be used anywhere, at anytime, that provides more than just text. Video watching, music listening, picture sharing. I define it as anything that does not typically store content on one’s device. This does not include services such as Amazon Web Services, CloudFiles, and so on. Basically anything that provides in-direct hosting of one’s files. If that makes any sense, at all.
From slapping low bandwidth caps on cell phones, all the way down to slapping “even” caps on houses. It doesn’t look painful now, but the mobile land will not be as innovated as it could be if the low caps are kept. Hence my “I’m not really that bothered” about tablets opinion. Why would I invest in a device that cannot be exhausted to its limits?
Mobile land, as it is now, is not suit for services that are becoming the future. Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, etc will not hold up against these Internet caps, and in my opinion not a lot care either – Or are not aware of possible limitations.
Cramped Tablets
Imagine not being able to watch a few movies, or listen to music (like I do anyway) as much as you normally would sitting at your computer?
The tablet is STILL not mobile .. yet
Some think the the tablet is not mobile, and I don’t disagree. The tablets are just stripped OSs meant for particular uses, or a sub-set of uses. App Stores of many kinds: Google, Apple, Amazon, Microsoft and; Companies that use Android (anyway) are able to plug their own Market for applications. There’s just a lot holding the mobile sector of a tablet back.
Don’t get me wrong, anyone can define the tablet as mobile for many reasons. It is mobile to an extent, but to me, no. It has a lot more to go through before I can accept it as a full-on mobile device. I will say that the PlayBook is an eye-catcher.
Recap
So far I’ve made a few points (I think I did) at why the cloud is broke.
Low Bandwidth Caps – These don’t really make sense. (Especially Canada, and New Zealand)
Exposure – Lots and lots of DMCAs sent out through various video sites, music sites, and so-on for take-downs. At-most, these take-downs are aimed at people who remix said work. (Terrible for the owner who didn’t send it.)
Personal files are at risk – Once they’re there, they are there. This can go without saying “even if you don’t put it on a social networking site,” because someone could simply copy it, and then distribute it. (This is a time for the DMCA: When someone actually needs to use it. Not for some music that was remixed to sound better or appeal to other audiences(Take a stab, and bring them aboard your team?))
Corporate Abuse – <Insert Evil Laugh>. This is where the “extended” cloud I was talking about falls deep. But I think this leaves for a separate piece.
Well anywho, if the “Internet” keeps on slipping on this path, or further, the “cloud” will turn to a big puddle of …. Who knows.
Hopefully companies (Internet Service Providers) will soon understand that cramping up their users is bad – More-so, cell phone companies that exhaust plans, then rip them out from people later on. Or ones that serve customers with “2-5GB” for data and/or try to stamp it with “Unlimited.”
There, I’ll be one of the ones to say it. The cloud in current form as far as “social websites,” “file backup services,” and anything else that leverages the cloud for direct and in-direct use is in-fact.. broke.