Don't get stuck in the cloud...

While this is a topic that applies to just about every one, photographers make heavy use of many online services that sits on the cloud. Online storage and sharing services such as Flickr, Photoshelter, Livebooks, Photobuckets etc have enjoyed increased use. But what happens when these services go dark?

Macworld addressed this today which is interesting given the fact a few days ago the giant Google’s cloud came down hard... They also gave some advice.

It might sound obvious, but take ownership of your data. Not obvious? With services like Photoshelter - more and more photographers are using cloud services to store data and use it as a backup. In fact, online backups services are much more prevalent and many make use of these services. If your own computer dies - then the cloud service remains right? I actually know a photographer that uses these services as a main storage device. Travel photographers will shoot and upload their images to free space in the laptop/HD in the hopes the images will be there when they return home. Don’t count with that.

Images are not the only services you have or count with. Services like Box.net allows you to store other files, such as documents and spreadsheets. They are very convenient services, where a person could keep an online copy of edited PO, contracts or margin analysis on a project.

I guess all I’m saying is: keep a copy. Make a backup. Have control over you data. Don’t count that by giving it to a corporation, they will keep it safe.