What will be the data storage method of the future

Cloud computing is correct. You should spend your time beefing up your wired and wireless network capability and knowledge.

All of your software needs will be met instantly by accessing it with your I.D and a password. The only thing you will need on your end is the hardware.

If you want to store your personal data/music/photos/medical and financial currently it looks as if Solid State Drives (SSD) will soon replace common IDE/SATA Drives as the preferred method of local storage. (prices are dropping about 30% per quarter).

The next leap will be Quantum Inter-Dimensional Storage. Imagine all of the data that has ever been written, created or archived stored on a platform no larger than a kernel of corn.

Does any body really think it will do away with hard copy books? No way! Think about it another way. They that will control the 'cloud' will control your very ability to 'be'. Frightening, 1984 will be here shortly.

This is frightening, but I actually agree with Buconero117. Cloud computing has many benefits, but you are transferring all ownership and ultimately all control to what are effectively anonymous third parties. Furthermore, when you access the cloud a record of your activity is being generated and stored. While I might trust that Google really isn't interested in exactly what I'm doing, the same cannot be said of various governments. As recent events in the Middle East have highlighted, governments directly control the major internet access pathways in their countries. Imaging if the Syrian or Iranian governments could quickly access what music you've been listening to or books you've read. If you lived in either of those countries would the knowledge that someone could be compiling a list of what you do put a damper on your otherwise private activities?

The written page has worked for centuries as an effective way to store musical compositions.

05-28-11: Tom6897
If you want to store your personal data/music/photos/medical and financial currently it looks as if Solid State Drives (SSD) will soon replace common IDE/SATA Drives as the preferred method of local storage. (prices are dropping about 30% per quarter).

Not sure that is correct. The least expensive SSD of around 1TB capacity currently offered by Newegg.com is $2699, which I believe is down a few hundred dollars in the last several months. About 8 months ago I had purchased a Crucial 128GB sata3 model (not nearly large enough for mass data storage) for about $275. Typical prices at various sellers for comparable models today are around $240.

Re cloud computing, the motivations for it seem to be mainly business-oriented -- the promise of lower costs to business for software and IT services, and the ability to adapt to changing software needs quickly and at lower cost. I don't see any comparable driving forces, or comparable interest, in the consumer space. Which of course does not necessarily mean that it won't ultimately be foisted on the consumer.

In addition to the obvious concerns cloud computing raises about security and privacy, I would add reliability. Not only at the data centers, but with respect to internet connectivity. A few years ago the school system in my town lost connectivity for a considerable period of time because a construction crew accidentally severed their underground lines. If something like that were to happen to a large company that is dependent on the cloud, hundreds or thousands of employees could find themselves twiddling their thumbs for many hours or days.

Time will tell.

Regards,
-- Al

LP analog and digital files on hard drive streamed to DAC for this audiophile. Everyone else will fall for the promises of the cloud, but not me.