You have to think about how you get access to YOUR data that is stored in this 'cloud' and how easy is it to get it back if you want access to it. You also have to consider how much data and does it cost anything to store it and will the cost go up as storage goes up? That's my main concern with Cloud Computing in general.

When it comes to 'virtual desktops', you have to consider what kind of support you are getting and how fast can you get access to it. Is there a Service Level Agreement when it comes to Support and Maintenance? As with any software and infrastructure, upgrades are a big question. Also, is there a choice in software used on the Virtual Desktop? If not, it might mean training for some users. Some people are use to IE only and not Firefox, some people have used Outlook and never used Lotus Notes.

You lose some flexibility and control when you go with cloud computing. With desktop virtualization, my opinion is that that is too much control to give up.

What about hardware replacements, how fast will that occur? If it takes 24 hours, does that mean the employee will have nothing to do for that time? What's the cost of having that employee do nothing for 24 hours. And who will set up the machine? Does it cost anything for having someone come out to provide service?

In a nutshell, I don't think its worth it to go with an Online Virtual Desktop, maybe in the consumer market, but not for any type of company, small medium or large.

Even though I am in the computer support industry, I have mixed feelings with cloud computing. I think it's wonderful for school districts because then you don't have to worry about kids trying to do crazy things with their machines, or have to worry about them trying to hide things on their local hard drives. It is an easier situation to manage overall. I also think it's more cost effective in other large group settings such as businesses.

NOW, on the other side of the coin, I don't agree with some of these articles that talk about computers being like a "utility" like your electricity or cable TV. This would be where consumers would just have a simple dummy terminal that would connect into their computer via a huge cloud network and they would have an online virtual desktop. I feel in this aspect, consumers should still have separate hardware, not only for security reasons, but having such a system would take away from the pc experience! I personally enjoy playing around with my PC's hardware, and upgrading my stuff. PC's aren't just something we use anymore for work and play, it's a whole culture! Now if some people aren't into that, that's fine. They can get a simple slim PC or a Mac or whatever that won't give them much trouble.

The day they take away my PC is the day they take it from my cold dead hands!!!! J/k = D

Seriously though I just thought of something. If they could have the system run side by side with what we have now, that's fine too I suppose. Overall though, I think virtual desktops on a large scale should stay confined to schools and businesses. Main reason being the security issue.