MANILA, Philippines -- Despite the recent rash of cyber-attacks against computer networks owned or operated by corporations, organizations, and government agencies, there is no stopping the march of cloud computing. Nope, it seems that consumers and their corporate counterparts are so enamored with cloud computing, which is actually an old concept (client/server rings a bell?), that they stopped paying attention to online threats.

This corner could not help but admire the gutsiness of both cloud vendors and IT managers adopting cloud computing. They remind me of government security executives telling ordinary people to go on with their lives despite threats of terrorist attacks.

Microsoft 365

Seeking to catch up to rivals that have been blazing trails in the cloud computing jungle, Microsoft recently launched Office 365, the Web-based version of its Microsoft Office productivity suite.

At first glance, Microsoft has to hurdle some heavy disadvantages as it tries to extend its business-software dominance into the cloud computing sphere. Google, for example, seems to have an insurmountable lead over cloud computing’s Johnny-come-lately.

If Microsoft, however, would be able to convince even as little as 10% of the more than 1 billion Office users to adopt the Office 365, it can easily have a cloud computing winner on its hand.

And the fat lady might just as well have sung already.

WiFi to There

On-Ramp Wireless recently introduced the Ultra-Link Processing, a technology that can transmit WiFi signals up to 45 miles. While the product and the technology behind it greatly outdistance existing conventional WiFi solutions, the product is capable of sending less than 5 bits of data per second. And before you judge the technology as crap (something this corner would tend to agree with), On-Ramp CTO Ted Myers promptly said that his product is not designed for bandwidth-hogging applications.

His company is targeting users that can benefit from long distance wireless communications, and, if we might add, those applications operating in areas where there are no conventional WiFi hotspots or mobile phone and satellite telecommunications signals.

Facebook’s (In-House) Hacker

Facebook admitted last week that it has hired George Hotz, a hacker who gained celebrity (or notoriety, depending on how you look at it) for hacking the iPhone and Sony’s PlayStation 3 game console.

The world’s leading social networking site, however, did not disclose its assigned tasks for Hotz who was sued by Sony for allegedly violating federal law by posting online tips and tricks that consumers can use to modify the PS3 gaming console. This would allow modified PS3 consoles to play pirated videogames.

So, you want to be hired by the number 1 networking site? Better work on your hacking skills.

That’s all for the meantime, folks. Join me again next time as we keep on watching IT.