Thanks for sharing those links. I follow thinking that (not owned) SaaS is
something to avoid, more yet things like PaaS, and that the good approx is
having your own server running free software. But I can understand that today
it is not the easiest thing yet, but probably we'll have soon good
alternatives which doesn't need you employ a lot of time for learning and
configuring [1,2]. At any case, I'm happy of reading your steps demanding
good values to those services.
I'm afraid of a future where people depends on external machines. Let's me be
conspiratorial. In a future there will be very powerful computers, and
governments would be able to decide that you cannot own that kind of
computers. Not without a strong register or only using SaaS. But they can
always cut you the access to those computers, and you have no control about
who knows about what are you doing and your data.
For example, it would not be very difficult if quantum computer (which would
break any encrypted file or secure communications) comes. Although (who
knows) maybe it has been developed yet. If not, it is only due to theoretical
complications, since I've heard there is no money limit for governmental
researchers in this field in the US.
Also, it could be possible the day governments say: "For your own good, we
have to control every communication, you cannot have your own email/VoIP
server." This step would be easier if only very few people have their own,
since if people usually doesn't mind about it, a law could be established
without resistance.
PD: Excuse me for using the thread for talking about this problematic, but I
think that it is important to talk about control when talking on SaaS.
[1] http://merlincloud.org/
[2] http://www.freedomboxfoundation.org/
