Are we too reliant on Google and Microsoft? When social networking, I’m aware that I rely heavily on Google Reader, Gmail and Google Search and on Microsoft Word for drafting articles.  But should we be happy to leave all of our data “in the cloud” with Google? Google relies upon you using their services as much as possible so that they can refine the advertising that appears on the right side of your browser. There are conspiracy theorists who will tell you that they use the information for a lot more insidious purposes.

Whether there is truth in that view or not I’ve become increasingly uncomfortable about putting all of my eggs in just these two baskets and have been looking at alternatives. Whilst change for change sake is silly, it’s sensible to at least look and see what’s available. [Read more...]