Gentle warning to Web2.0 enthusiasts

Cloud computing is a trap, warns GNU founder Richard Stallman

Web-based programs like Google's Gmail will force people to buy into locked, proprietary systems that will cost more and more over time, according to the free software campaigner





Richard Stallman on cloud computing: "It's stupidity. It's worse than stupidity: it's a marketing hype campaign."



The concept of using web-based programs like Google's Gmail is "worse than stupidity", according to a leading advocate of free software.

Cloud computing – where IT power is delivered over the internet as you need it, rather than drawn from a desktop computer – has gained currency in recent years. Large internet and technology companies including Google, Microsoft and Amazon are pushing forward their plans to deliver information and software over the net.

But Richard Stallman, founder of the Free Software Foundation and creator of the computer operating system GNU, said that cloud computing was simply a trap aimed at forcing more people to buy into locked, proprietary systems that would cost them more and more over time.

"It's stupidity. It's worse than stupidity: it's a marketing hype campaign," he told The Guardian.

"Somebody is saying this is inevitable – and whenever you hear somebody saying that, it's very likely to be a set of businesses campaigning to make it true."

The 55-year-old New Yorker said that computer users should be keen to keep their information in their own hands, rather than hand it over to a third party.

His comments echo those made last week by Larry Ellison, the founder of Oracle, who criticised the rash of cloud computing announcements as "fashion-driven" and "complete gibberish".

"The interesting thing about cloud computing is that we've redefined cloud computing to include everything that we already do," he said. "The computer industry is the only industry that is more fashion-driven than women's fashion. Maybe I'm an idiot, but I have no idea what anyone is talking about. What is it? It's complete gibberish. It's insane. When is this idiocy going to stop?"

The growing number of people storing information on internet-accessible servers rather than on their own machines, has become a core part of the rise of Web 2.0 applications. Millions of people now upload personal data such as emails, photographs and, increasingly, their work, to sites owned by companies such as Google.

Computer manufacturer Dell recently even tried to trademark the term "cloud computing", although its application was refused.

But there has been growing concern that mainstream adoption of cloud computing could present a mixture of privacy and ownership issues, with users potentially being locked out of their own files.

Stallman, who is a staunch privacy advocate, advised users to stay local and stick with their own computers.

"One reason you should not use web applications to do your computing is that you lose control," he said. "It's just as bad as using a proprietary program. Do your own computing on your own computer with your copy of a freedom-respecting program. If you use a proprietary program or somebody else's web server, you're defenceless. You're putty in the hands of whoever developed that software."

Who is Michael Stephens

Michael Stephens, Ph.D., is currently Assistant Professor in the Graduate School of Library and Information Science at Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois.

Michael’s Philosophy of Teaching:

Libraries and librarians are faced with a technological and societal wave of change that is ever increasing as we move farther into the 21st century. Preparing new graduates to deal with constant change, use current and emerging technology tools to further the mission of their institutions, and meet the needs of communities of library users while never losing sight of our foundational values and principles is of utmost importance to me as an LIS educator.

Bio:

Originally from Mishawaka, Indiana, Michael received BA and MLIS degrees from Indiana University. He spent over fifteen years working in public libraries, most recently as Special Projects Librarian at Saint Joseph County Public Library. While engaged in staff training, long-term planning, and management initiatives at SJCPL, Michael developed a passion for the practical application of technology in libraries.

He published The Library Internet Trainer’s Toolkit in 2001. Two years later, he launched his weblog, Tame the Web. Tame the Web (TTW) deals with libraries, technology and people - and the fascinating intersection between all three. How do we use technology to further the library’s mission? How do we use technology to learn? What are innovative libraries and librarians doing to explore this realm?

In 2004, Michael was awarded an IMLS fellowship to begin an interdisciplinary information science doctoral program at the University of North Texas, where he conducted research on social software and blogging, including his dissertation “Modeling the Role of Blogging in Librarianship.” Named a “Mover and Shaker” by Library Journal in 2005, he also served as a Scholar in Residence at Chicago Public Library and an adjunct instructor at IUPUI and Dominican University.

Michael’s professional writing has appeared in Public Libraries, Library Journal, American Libraries, Computers in Libraries, Library Media Connection, OCLC’s NextSpace, and ALA’s TechSource blog. He serves on the editorial board of both Reference and Users Services Quarterly and Internet Reference Services Quarterly.

He currently writes a monthly Library Journal column with Michael Casey: The Transparent Library, exploring how trends and technologies can enhance libraries and make them participatory and open to change: “By structuring the transparent library for constant and purposeful change we reduce the negative impact that change has on both the staff and user. Incorporating change into the organization through creative teams and open lines of communication allows the transparent library to add new tools, respond to changing community needs, and move ahead with new initiatives without shaking up the foundation.”

Michael joined Dominican’s full-time faculty in 2006 and completed his Ph.D. in 2007 while continuing to blog and publish. Recently, he has produced two ALA Library Technology Reports on Web 2.0 and also created a graduate seminar on Library 2.0 theory and practice.

Michael has spoken about technology, innovation, and libraries to audiences in over 25 states and in four countries, including a recent speaking tour of Australia. In addition to facilitating workshops, panel presentations and program sessions, he has keynoted conferences such as the Illinois Library Association, the Hawaii Library Association, the Iowa Library Association, Nevada Library Association, Polaris User Group, and Ohio Tech Connections 8. With Jenny Levine, he’s keynoted Rural Libraries 2.0 in Michigan and endnoted Internet Librarian International 2006.

An active participant in discussions about the evolving library and Library 2.0, Michael recently shared part of his philosophy with Degree Tutor: “I believe libraries need to encourage the heart and in the physical realm this is very important. What do your spaces say to users? What signage do you use? What rules do you impose? All of these things tell the story of your library and how the library views its customers. I agree with the folks that say create zones in the library for different user groups and make it ok to have fun at the library - gaming, DDR, etc - as well as make it comfortable and useful for others. We can learn from the “retail expectations” of our users and potential users. I was amazed to see a high end grocery store chain in Minneapolis offer a meeting room for groups. The Book Club could be meeting at the store - not

at the library in the near future! One goal for the L2 library might be to restablish the idea of the commons - that shared space that can be many things to many people and everyone feels ownership. I’m sorry, but a sign stating the rules of the building on the front door is not encouraging. Find ways to make policies and guidlelines friendly…and welcoming.”

When not traveling or teaching, Michael resides in Mishawaka, Indiana, and enjoys escaping to Traverse City, Michigan.

stephensabout.png

Download Michael’s CV:stephenscv.pdf

Upcoming Presentations

Contact Michael at mstephens7 (at) mac.com

Other Web Sites:

Up North! The Traverse City Blog

Dreaming On: There’s Always Music in the Air
Short Bio:





Michael Stephens, Ph.D., is Assistant Professor in the Graduate School of Library and Information Science at Dominican University in Illinois. He spent over fifteen years working in public libraries while developing a passion for technology. His publications include The Library Internet Trainer’s Toolkit, two ALA Library Technology Reports on Web 2.0, a monthly column with Michael Casey in Library Journal, and a host of articles. Michael also maintains the popular blog Tame the Web. He received an IMLS doctoral fellowship at the University of North Texas, was named a Library Journal “Mover and Shaker,” and recently joined the Dominican faculty. Michael speaks nationally and internationally on libraries, technology, and innovation. He recently completed a speaking tour of Australia, presenting seven talks in five cities.
Interviews and Podcasts:

* “Web sites can bring libraries into the future” with Sarah Ann Long
-Interview: http://www.librarybeat.org/ourlibraries/read/index.php?articleID=359
-Podcast: http://www.librarybeat.org/podcast/?_episode=100
* “Future of Librarians” with DegreeTutor
-Interview: http://www.degreetutor.com/library/librarians-online/michael-stephens
* “A SirsiDynix Institute Conversation: The 2.0 Meme - Web 2.0, Library 2.0, Librarian 2.0″ with SirsiDynix
-Podcast: http://www.sirsidynixinstitute.com/seminar_page.php?sid=56
* “BiblioTech: Episode 4 - Michael Stephens of Dominican University” with the Kankakee Public Library
-Podcast: http://www.lions-online.org/podcasts/bib4.html
* “Conversation with Michael Stephens” with the Allen County Public Library
-Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzBC8q_hTHY
* “Michael Stephens and DOK Delft” with Erik Boekesteijn and Jaap van de Geer of DOK Delft Public Library
-Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4GhVHbspGk

Photos of me for promotional use:

http://tametheweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/michael-stephens.jpg

http://tametheweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/msapplestorenyc.jpg

http://tametheweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/stephensstonehenge.jpg
(Photo by Jenny Levine)

http://tametheweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/2401929698_c0a4c271d6_o.jpg
(Photo by Cindi Trainor)

http://tametheweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/mstephens2008cindi.jpeg
(Photo by Cindi Trainor)