Comments on: Google’s [Free] Online Backup? http://simplyoffsite.wordpress.com/2008/07/09/googles-free-online-backup/ What have you got to lose? Mon, 26 Oct 2009 10:46:58 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: chris http://simplyoffsite.wordpress.com/2008/07/09/googles-free-online-backup/#comment-65 chris Sun, 06 Sep 2009 16:50:34 +0000 http://simplyoffsite.wordpress.com/?p=14#comment-65 One more point. You of course have noticed that ads in your gmail window reflect your email content - so targeted profiling has been in place for sometime if you are using that service - there is no reason to think that Yahoo, MS, Quest or Comcast will do it any differently. One more point.
You of course have noticed that ads in your gmail window reflect your email content – so targeted profiling has been in place for sometime if you are using that service – there is no reason to think that Yahoo, MS, Quest or Comcast will do it any differently.

]]> By: chris http://simplyoffsite.wordpress.com/2008/07/09/googles-free-online-backup/#comment-64 chris Sun, 06 Sep 2009 16:43:25 +0000 http://simplyoffsite.wordpress.com/?p=14#comment-64 You wrote - "as an avid canoeist with route maps, ... am I going to be... targeted with ads for canoe/camping related items?" Answer; YES And that is a good thing. Ads are the payment for this otherwise free service. You are allowing google to profile you and google is essentially profit sharing with you to an amount equal to $100 to $300 in file storage services with no investment on your side other than your participation. Yes you have to ask yourself - would I rather be bombarded with ads for insurance quotes, local "friend' finding services, or an new design kevlar canoe paddle? And because you have been profiled, the targeted ad is more valuable and should generate a higher per click cost and require fewer ads to maintain competitive. Looks like a win win to me. You wrote – “as an avid canoeist with route maps, … am I going to be… targeted with ads for canoe/camping related items?”

Answer; YES
And that is a good thing. Ads are the payment for this otherwise free service. You are allowing google to profile you and google is essentially profit sharing with you to an amount equal to $100 to $300 in file storage services with no investment on your side other than your participation.

Yes you have to ask yourself – would I rather be bombarded with ads for insurance quotes, local “friend’ finding services, or an new design kevlar canoe paddle? And because you have been profiled, the targeted ad is more valuable and should generate a higher per click cost and require fewer ads to maintain competitive.

Looks like a win win to me.

]]> By: Cory http://simplyoffsite.wordpress.com/2008/07/09/googles-free-online-backup/#comment-63 Cory Thu, 20 Aug 2009 07:52:49 +0000 http://simplyoffsite.wordpress.com/?p=14#comment-63 I agree with those who say I'd prefer targeted ads. And really, what's so scary about google knowing that you like something? Or who you email, which is another debate. I mean if the fact that you liked canoes was such a big secret, then why'd you post it up there? You get my point? In other words, I agree with 4solutions, I don't have anything to hide execpt my bank passwords/ social, and google doesn't seem to be plaining on collecting that anytime soon. Although if they come up with some service that does collect my bank info or social, then I'll be alot more concerned. And yes, I use Greader, iGoogle, Gmail, Gtalk, Gapps, Ganalytics, Gsearch, and I find them all very usefull. And I would be thrilled by Gdrive if/when they come out with it. I agree with those who say I’d prefer targeted ads. And really, what’s so scary about google knowing that you like something? Or who you email, which is another debate. I mean if the fact that you liked canoes was such a big secret, then why’d you post it up there? You get my point? In other words, I agree with 4solutions, I don’t have anything to hide execpt my bank passwords/ social, and google doesn’t seem to be plaining on collecting that anytime soon. Although if they come up with some service that does collect my bank info or social, then I’ll be alot more concerned.

And yes, I use Greader, iGoogle, Gmail, Gtalk, Gapps, Ganalytics, Gsearch, and I find them all very usefull. And I would be thrilled by Gdrive if/when they come out with it.

]]> By: 4solutions http://simplyoffsite.wordpress.com/2008/07/09/googles-free-online-backup/#comment-55 4solutions Wed, 25 Feb 2009 22:57:53 +0000 http://simplyoffsite.wordpress.com/?p=14#comment-55 Personally, I have nothing to hide except banking and social security info, and this is protected by secure sites. I would like to entertain the idea of online backups and to know how it would work. Personally, I have nothing to hide except banking and social security info, and this is protected by secure sites. I would like to entertain the idea of online backups and to know how it would work.

]]> By: Walt D in LV http://simplyoffsite.wordpress.com/2008/07/09/googles-free-online-backup/#comment-54 Walt D in LV Mon, 23 Feb 2009 19:12:44 +0000 http://simplyoffsite.wordpress.com/?p=14#comment-54 I would absolutly LOVE it if advertisers, such as Google, tailored their ads more to my likings. Like danheretic above said, would you rather Canoe ads or feminine hygiene ads? PLEASE target ads more to my lifestyle! If I have to see ads, let me see good ones! Lastly, while I understand your concerns, please remember Google's company motto: Don't be evil. Walt D in LV I would absolutly LOVE it if advertisers, such as Google, tailored their ads more to my likings. Like danheretic above said, would you rather Canoe ads or feminine hygiene ads? PLEASE target ads more to my lifestyle!

If I have to see ads, let me see good ones!

Lastly, while I understand your concerns, please remember Google’s company motto: Don’t be evil.

Walt D in LV

]]> By: Kevin McDonagh http://simplyoffsite.wordpress.com/2008/07/09/googles-free-online-backup/#comment-48 Kevin McDonagh Mon, 15 Sep 2008 23:02:30 +0000 http://simplyoffsite.wordpress.com/?p=14#comment-48 Our CEO wrote an article today raising the question as to the possibility of a Google conflict between innovation and privacy. The crux of the issue is that despite any belief either way, Google is creative enough to make available products so useful that users will employ them even if they are unsure as to which side of this debate they are on. Kevin Our CEO wrote an article today raising the question as to the possibility of a Google conflict between innovation and privacy.

The crux of the issue is that despite any belief either way, Google is creative enough to make available products so useful that users will employ them even if they are unsure as to which side of this debate they are on.
Kevin

]]> By: scottflorack http://simplyoffsite.wordpress.com/2008/07/09/googles-free-online-backup/#comment-46 scottflorack Fri, 22 Aug 2008 17:57:08 +0000 http://simplyoffsite.wordpress.com/?p=14#comment-46 Google: “mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.” More accurately, they want your personal information (through free offerings such as Web History, GMail, Calendar, Reader, Google Health, etc) so they can track your ever move and push directed advertisements. Nothing in life has ever been free, so how does Google continue mystifying people with the "free software/services" cover? Google maintains a one degree of seperation from the likes of Gator, IMO. Google: “mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.”

More accurately, they want your personal information (through free offerings such as Web History, GMail, Calendar, Reader, Google Health, etc) so they can track your ever move and push directed advertisements. Nothing in life has ever been free, so how does Google continue mystifying people with the “free software/services” cover?

Google maintains a one degree of seperation from the likes of Gator, IMO.

]]> By: danheretic http://simplyoffsite.wordpress.com/2008/07/09/googles-free-online-backup/#comment-43 danheretic Tue, 12 Aug 2008 19:23:11 +0000 http://simplyoffsite.wordpress.com/?p=14#comment-43 > For example, as an avid canoeist with route maps, meal > plans, trip logs and other canoe specific data on my > computer am I going to be branded as such and be targeted > with ads for canoe/camping related items? In and of itself, what's wrong with that? Isn't it better to be served the ads you're interested in? As an avid canoeist would you rather be targeted with ads for feminine hygiene products or canoe/camping related items? > For example, as an avid canoeist with route maps, meal
> plans, trip logs and other canoe specific data on my
> computer am I going to be branded as such and be targeted
> with ads for canoe/camping related items?

In and of itself, what’s wrong with that? Isn’t it better to be served the ads you’re interested in? As an avid canoeist would you rather be targeted with ads for feminine hygiene products or canoe/camping related items?

]]> By: fgih http://simplyoffsite.wordpress.com/2008/07/09/googles-free-online-backup/#comment-39 fgih Sat, 09 Aug 2008 21:14:38 +0000 http://simplyoffsite.wordpress.com/?p=14#comment-39 Well, encrypt before you backup. Although when dealing with the largest agglomeration of number-crunchers this might not be enough... Well, encrypt before you backup. Although when dealing with the largest agglomeration of number-crunchers this might not be enough…

]]> By: Dan http://simplyoffsite.wordpress.com/2008/07/09/googles-free-online-backup/#comment-38 Dan Sat, 09 Aug 2008 21:03:10 +0000 http://simplyoffsite.wordpress.com/?p=14#comment-38 Or you can just encrypt your data before uploading to the backup service. I recommend TrueCrypt. Or you can just encrypt your data before uploading to the backup service. I recommend TrueCrypt.

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