Where and what is your data?
Could you bring "The Cloud" into a courtroom in your defense?
Paul in PA
> Where and what is your data?
>
> Could you bring "The Cloud" into a courtroom in your defense?
>
> Paul in PA
I'n not sure I quite understand your point, but I'll respond with this:
It is true that placing your data in the cloud means that you more than likely will have no idea where the physical drive(s) holding your data are located, and you certainly won't be able to bring those drives into the courtroom. As an aside, I want as few people as possible to know where my data is stored in a physical sense. Anyway, the cloud is better understood on a logical level rather than a physical one.
Look at it this way - if I use Carbonite or Drop Box for example to store my data, I'm assigned a drive letter or some other designator. On my end, it looks exactly like or very similar to a physical drive located on my machine. In other words, I am assigned a virtual drive for storage of my data.
If they haven't already, I'm sure the courts would have no problem executing a subpoena for or accepting data from a virtual drive as evidence in a trial.
> Where and what is your data?
>
> Could you bring "The Cloud" into a courtroom in your defense?
>
> Paul in PA
It does not matter where your data is stored. What matters are the conclusions you draw from the data. Your data is not and can not be your professional opinion. The data merely serves as the foundation for that opinion.
I have never been asked in court about my data. I am always asked about the conclusions and opinions reached because of the data.
Larry P
Thank you, Larry!
I've never understood the paranoia surrounding data acquisition and storage.
It's WHAT data you collect and the conclusions drawn from it that matter.
"in the cloud" is going to revolutionize how data is collected...Topcon is moving into "the cloud".. It is going to end up eliminating downloading at the end of the work day. If your out doing a topo on some project site... those points are going to show up on the monitor back at the office as fast as you can shoot em.
Only for areas with good wireless coverage.
> Only for areas with good wireless coverage.
Lightsquared is gonna take care of that 😐
"To Lightsquared, the cause of, and the solution to, all of life's problems"
[flash width=420 height=315] http://www.youtube.com/v/hUVwR0rw5fk?version=3&hl=en_US [/flash]
The GeneraI Definition Of "In The Cloud"...
includes processing your data for you and you do not know how they did it.
In deference to Larry P, attorneys will cremate you if you cannot present the raw data on which you conclusions are based. No facts?, then your conclusions are irrelevant.
Even a simple radar speeding ticket requires the radar calibration certificates before and after your violation.
Paul in PA
The GeneraI Definition Of "In The Cloud"...
Whether software exists locally on in the cloud, as a professional, you are still responsible for the product, those are just tools, you should know as the professional if the results are as expected. Whether local or in the cloud, I doubt most of us are programmers and can tell a court exactly what is happening under the hood, what you can do is testify to your input, the output and what checks you did to confirm that software is returning the expected results. It is the professional that is liable, I bet the software companies have all kinds of it isn't my fault loopholes if it comes to court and in all likelihood they aren't going down with the ship if you end up in court with a bad professional product. It seems to me this is the same whether installed locally or in the cloud.
My $0.02 for what it is worth.
SHG
The GeneraI Definition Of "In The Cloud"...
> In deference to Larry P, attorneys will cremate you if you cannot present the raw data on which you conclusions are based. No facts?, then your conclusions are irrelevant.
>
Paul,
How often have you had attorneys question you about your raw data? Me? Not once in 20+ years. Often they will ask about equipment and procedures and personnel. They will ask about calibration and maintenance to insure that you do not have issues with the data gathering. But question the actual measurements? Never.
Every time (100%) they will question the conclusions you reached from the data. That is their job. But the data itself? Never seen it.
Perhaps your experience is different.
Larry P
