The recent announcement by Adobe of Photoshop Express brings up the question of “cloud computing”; is it valid and the way of the future or just another fad to be tried out and discarded?

I’m in two minds over this. Anything that can bring down the price of software has to be a bonus – and sadly, creative types are often the worst at “borrowing” software to save having to buy it. Let me make my stance on this; I am totally and utterly against the practice of software piracy. The attitude that “I can’t afford it but need it and they won't suffer as they are a multinational and will never know anyway” is simply a cop out, a lie and an affront to all of us who are creatives.. But I know of at least 3 publications (regional) that have pirate versions of software, and justify it by saying "we are only small and can't afford it". Que? The two Mercs and 3 properties must be costing you more than I thought ....

OK soapbox over.

My exposure to “cloud computing” was started initially when researching for a system to automate the operations of AusCam. I looked at a number of cloud systems that could supposedly do the job, but for various reasons – at this stage of their evolution anyway – they failed. They cost too much, they weren’t flexible enough and of course, if access to the ‘net is not there (I lost power today for 4 hours) then it all falls apart. Unless of course you also have access to something like BigPond wireless access (I do) which at this stage is still very expensive.

And I am not sure that developers can make a suite of applications that will actually be suitable for the development, design and publishing of a magazine. InDesign on line in collaboration mode? I’d like to see that!

OK so Adobe say they have done a basic Photoshop on line. Well and good and I hope it works for them, but I cannot see in the immediate future at least – and I wish I could – a way that writers, editors, graphics and design bods, layout people and proof readers can all collaborate on Cloud 9.

By all means, if you know a way, tell me!