The Risk Report

Data Viz Illustrated (Internet Health Report)

The display of visual information in the Internet Health Report (Keynote) proves that critical data is best served efficiently, not flashily. Network admins managing mobile content or monitoring web site load want a simple, practical view of uptime, latency, and packet loss between origin and destination (see below), if and when they need that info. Keynote's interface provides this info in a small, efficient area, maximizing black and white contrast to capture the health story over an hour, or a day, and provides relevant drill down in a click... Just what matters presented distinctly, and nothing more, thanks.

 

Risk of Cloud Computing

For one fleeting moment, the Tech Ops director caught the cloud in his net:

"Remember how we used to use the little cloud graphic in our network diagrams, to show customers where their data went? The cloud graphic was great, because what was going on in the cloud was too complicated to explain in lay terms. So we'd just point at the cloud graphic and tell the customer, or the marketing department, See? The data goes into the cloud, where it's magically processed, and comes back out as the thing you want! Nothing to worry about!"

"Now we're using that same cloud diagram to show entire companies where their apps, their services, and their data centers go. See? It all goes into the cloud, where it's magically maintained, monitored, and secured. Nothing to worry about!"

Actually, there's a lot to worry about. In fact, it's time to retire the cloud graphic in our network diagrams, replace it with a fog graphic. Because the fog is a more apt metaphor for cloud computing.

Check out Mark Bernard's Cloud Computing Assessment slideshow.

Land of the Watched

Assassination of U.S. citizens  ... Indefinite detention ... Arbitrary justice ... Warrantless searches ... Secret evidence ... War crimes ... Secret court ... Immunity from judicial review ... Continual monitoring of citizens ... Extraordinary renditions ...

It can't happen here, right? Right? 

"In the decade since Sept. 11, 2001, this country has comprehensively reduced civil liberties in the name of an expanded security state. The most recent example of this was the National Defense Authorization Act, signed Dec. 31, which allows for the indefinite detention of citizens. At what point does the reduction of individual rights in our country change how we define ourselves?"

From Is the U.S.A. still the land of the free?, Washington Post, Jan 13)