Doug's Mailbag: Chavez-Gate, Cloud Security, More

Blogger Bob Evans recently took offense when Doug compared Larry Ellison's epic-length conference detailing the Sun deal to a "Hugo Chavez-style five-hour company and press event." But many of you, like Doug, think he doth protest too much:

When I read your piece that used the Hugo Chavez metaphor, it didn't even occur to me that you were trying to picture Larry Ellison as a tyrant. It was obviously a reference to long-windedness. It is amazing how aggressively people that are carrying a large chip around can find such odd things to become upset about.
-Anonymous

I never looked at it in that light, nor after reading about Evans' reaction does it readjust your position or mine.
-Rick

It never occurred to me to compare Larry to Hugo, but I immediately got the analogy for the long press event. Now that I think about it a little more, doesn't Larry own and fly a MiG? I hear Chavez is buying.
-John

I have been following you and Evans for about the same time (10 years, give or take a few months). I have noticed that while you have remained even-keeled and humorous, I have found Evans' stuff getting more and more hostile. I haven't read the article yet, but I will tonight. I am appalled at Evans. He sounds like a pompous ass.

Kudus to you for being the bigger person. I, however, will not be so diplomatic. He is definitely going to get an earful from me.
-Rich

I got the joke the first time (even though I admire Larry and despise Hugo). It seems Mr. Evans has given us reason to update the saying "Don't speak before you think" to "Don't blog before you think."

Of course, it just could be that, like so many commentators out there today, he hears what he wants to hear, sees what he wants to see, and HATES anyone who doesn't see or hear it his way!
-Ron

I may disagree with you at times, but I have never doubted your journalistic integrity. Continue to stay above the name-calling that the Internet seems to degenerate to.
-Ed

As a longtime reader and part-time journalist, you were correct in the facts and logic of your initial discourse. In addition, you have long used correct journalistic practices and your precise use of the English language could only have been misinterpreted by someone with an axe to grind. Congratulations on taking the high road!
-Glenn

Microsoft's Brad Smith is pushing Congress to pass laws to increase cloud computing security, but Hans doesn't think legislation is the answer:

Having been in IT for many years (I was in DP before it became fashionably known as IT) my take on the cloud security issue is this: Any data put into, on, thru or otherwise uses clouds to transport or store data must take into consideration that the cloud is, by definition, unsecure. If you're so concerned about your data being usurped by someone while in the cloud, then stay the hell out of the cloud.

If this passing of laws each time someone comes up with a new idea to store or move data keeps up, we will be faced to have lawyers looking over our shoulders with each keystroke or cursor movement. Let's put some common sense back into this industry! Lawyers are getting their pockets lined everywhere -- let's NOT get them involved here.
-Hans

Got a beat-up car you just can't part with? Doug's got his '96 Ford Bronco; here are some of yours:

I used to have a clunky daily driver. It was a 1981 Oldsmobile Delta 88. I bought it from the original owner's son in 1991 with only 51K miles on it. But eight years later, it had over 230K miles and had seen better days. Both rear quarter panels were rusted, two out of four wire wheel hub caps were missing, the paint was peeling away on the trunk and the passenger side was banged up (the result of skidding into a mailbox while trying to avoid hitting a dog in the road). Also, the AC no longer worked and the speedometer cable was broken.

Yet, prior to it getting stolen (yes, it was stolen), I could still squeeze out 20 MPG on the highway for such a big car (V8, 305, 5L), and the engine did not burn or leak a drop of oil. That car owed me nothing.
-Rich

'95 Mustang 3.8L base model. It received a '96 engine from the wrecking yard when the original one lost oil pressure. Paint coming off in sheets, driver's seat has holes and broken springs, and there are pieces of tortilla chips and granola bars in every nook and cranny (that last part I can fix). No rust, though, so maybe your Bronco wins.
-Gary

I think I saw a rebuilt '96 Ford Bronco crushing a bunch of cars on a monster truck rally commercial. Sometimes, the old, rusted-out jalopies get rebuilt and trounce the competition.
-Chris

And Chris adds his thoughts on Project Vulcan, a more "social" version of Lotus Notes that IBM is developing:

Lotus Notes a social animal? You bet. Better to say, however, that IBM Lotus is a social software company -- for the enterprise, that is. And sure, that includes the e mail/collaborative app client called Notes.
-Chris

Tell us what you think! Leave a comment below or send an e-mail to [email protected].

Posted by Doug Barney on 01/29/2010 at 1:17 PM