Who Backs Up the Data in Web 2.0?
Shifting resources from the desktop to the web is the hallmark of Web 2.0. I don’t need an office software suite installed on every system I use. I can connect to Google Docs from my Windows desktop, my MacBook, or even my EeePC and effortlessly edit the same document using the same interface across each platform. Companies have moved their entire customer relationship management systems to the web using services such as salesforce.com. Using computing services on the web reduces the need for individuals or companies to manage their own information technology needs. I, myself, am a frequent user of services like Google, Remember The Milk, Jott, and Sandy.
Along with online applications, storage has also been making its way into the cloud. While the concept of a storage utility isn’t new, only recently has the cost of storage and bandwidth come down enough for internet based storage to become a consumer product. The idea of effortlessly storing data somewhere on the internet is attractive. I just did a home computing inventory and discovered that I have nearly 2TB of disk. Of that 2TB, more than half of it is tied up as backup drives. While I am able to survive the failure of any single drive, if I lose my house due to fire or natural disaster, I’ll most likely lose all my data. Applications like JungleDisk, Box.net, and the .mac iDisk, all provide a simple means for off-site storage. (I’ve been looking at JungleDisk.)
An interesting thing has started to happen with these online storage providers. Instead of using them as a place to store an off-site backup, users are starting to use them as primary storage. This makes me nervous. Likewise, all of the web applications I mentioned above use their own storage devices to hold their user’s data. This also makes me nervous. Privacy and security issues aside, who backs it up? If my only copy of my data lives inside of one of these online storage providers, what happens when that data becomes inaccessible?
Unfortunately, this scenario seems to be playing out. As covered by Web Worker Daily, and ReadWriteWeb, Omnidrive seems to have suddenly closed its doors, taking its user’s data with it. This is a scary scenario for anyone who makes extensive use on online services. Unfortunately, this scenario shouldn’t surprise anyone. Businesses, especially ones offering very cheap (or free) services on the web often close their doors.
My advice to everyone is to take a hard look at data you are storing on other people’s servers. Carefully evaluate what you are storing online, and create a contingency plan for use when that online resource (for whatever reason) isn’t available. If it’s important, back it up somewhere you control. And keep that backup updated. Using Web 2.0 applications is fine, just remember that only you are responsible for your data. Putting it on the web in someone else’s data center, doesn’t make it their problem.
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