Yesterday (Jan 6th) I spent several hours updating the Wiki entry for Digital Footprint This has been a learning lesson in wiki editorial as I ended up being blocked (partly my error for removing a delete code when cut and pasting)

I thought (wrongly) that I would update this orphan page on wiki with some content based from my book on digital footprint including links to interesting articles, what people say and views. However as an author it is seen that I have a conflict of interest I cannot add my own material to wiki as I am biased and it is seen as advertising and promotion. However, if I create a dummy account without my name or ask a friend to do add content (same unbiased factual material) it is accepted. It is possible to conclude that an expert in a field is not welcome to add their own comments and content about the field they know about to wiki as there will be a conflict of interest. The same content however can be added by a third party assuming they have the rights to do so. Wiki has spend a lot of time writing guides (they are very good but very long) that justify this position and the guide lines.

Why write this post?

I can write here creating value and reputation for myself and the network by comments. Assumingdigital footprint is about reputation (aka currency of the web) then getting someone else to add yourcontent (to wiki) gives them the reputation and not the creator. Therefore in a wiki world (not an open system one where free to publish as your wish) why be an expert as I would be better off adding others content as my own and gain a better reputation.

Whilst Wikipedia will not change and neither in my view should it change, it means that those who create original thought will get value and reputation from an open system. However it remains the fact the individuals views are biased (blinded) and you cannot trust a single source, mine or Wikipedia.

The person who later changed the edit removed my reference, but left the content. However as the content is published under a creative commons attribution 2 licence, the wiki entry is now in breach as it is quoted without attribution – breaking their own rules.

Conversational, no; thought provoking, yes !

Its nice to see the carnival of the mobilists successfully now under Peggy Anne Salz’s direction. The first carnival is on Ernest Doku’s blog with entries from Chetan, Antoine, Alexei, David and me. I especially like the post of the week which I relate to having an interest in both publishing and comics.

Link Skype on your TV

I have been tracking Mobile Cloud computing – especially from the Operator perspctive. See Mobile Cloud Computing – the silver lining for Operators

Here is the full press release from Orange on Dec 18 Orange Business Services sets out its ambitions in cloud computing

My comments are under AVJ. This shows us where the market is heading. I am not saying about the feasibiluity – but more about the direction. The critical question for me is: How will Operators distinguish themselves from Internet based Cloud providers; What is the fixed – mobile mix; How can they provide end to end security

Orange Business Services sets out its ambitions in cloud computing

Orange announces complete cloud computing services, from infrastructure to real-time business applications;

Leveraging its cloud-ready network, Orange is best placed to provide enterprises with simpler, safer and more flexible cloud services.

Orange Business Services, which has already rolled out successful cloud services, such as IT Plan* and Flexible Computing** , will launch a dozen of new cloud computing services in the coming 24 months, covering six main areas including real-time applications, collaboration, security, infrastructure, cloud-ready networking and vertical solutions for specific industries.

AVJ:

a) IT plan = desktop virtualizatio; Flexible Computing = hosted virtualized infrastructure. I think both have a large FIXED component

b) covering six main areas including real-time applications, collaboration, security, infrastructure,

Cloud computing allows users, whether companies or individuals, to access IT resources and applications from the network relying on its processing and storage capacities.

complete cloud computing services

Complete cloud computing solutions include a full range of services, from infrastructure to real-time business applications, supported by our cloud-ready network ensuring rapid scalability with full security and end-to-end service level agreements.

AVJ:

lots of buzzwords .. but still significant to breakdown to know meaning of:

Cloud ready network, real time business applications, rapid scalibility, FULL security, End to End service level agreement

Our full lifecycle approach allows us to provide our customers with step-by-step guidance during their transition to cloud-based services, accommodating hybrid models, which are the most suitable for many enterprises.

AVJ: Again .. meaning of transition to cloud-based services and hybrid model is unclear

While Internet-class cloud computing brings cost reduction and scalability, it delivers very little visibility on security and can generate performance issues. Within the Orange cloud, we can deliver and manage all business critical applications and IT infrastructure as a service, with a one-stop-shop approach. The complete, end-to-end solutions provide customers with usage-based pricing and self-service through a user-friendly portal.

AVJ: This is an attempt to distinguish itself from the Internet-class cloud computing services. I think Operators will need this to distinguish themselves from the Amazons of the world

the Orange expertise

Orange already has solid expertise with cloud services, in part thanks to a strong existing portfolio and 150 cloud computing specialists. In addition to managing 12,000 servers for enterprise customers, we can design, build and operate private clouds for large multinational companies.

“Operating cloud computing services is in our DNA,” said Barbara Dalibard, president and CEO, Orange Business Services. ” The network is the cloud, and our experience and expertise in network and communications services place us in the best position to deliver high performance cloud computing services to support our customers’ transformation. We are committed to leveraging our global capabilities to deliver secure and flexible cloud computing services to our customers,” Dalibard added.

“Telecom operators are ideally positioned to provide secure and resilient cloud services,” said Camille Mendler, vice president of global service strategies at Yankee Group. “Enterprises need pervasive connectivity to virtualized assets, backed with robust performance guarantees and transparent monitoring tools.”. “Not least, there is an urgent need for trusted intermediaries to federate private, public and hybrid cloud environments. Telecom operators are stepping up to play this critical role.”.

Leveraging our position as “Best Global Operator”***, Orange can rely on its international network, high standard service and security, as well as end-user and device management capabilities, to drive this new generation of cloud services.

AVJ: secure and resilient cloud services,

“Enterprises need pervasive connectivity to virtualized assets, backed with robust performance guarantees and transparent monitoring tools.”. “Not least, there is an urgent need for trusted intermediaries to federate private, public and hybrid cloud environments. Telecom operators are stepping up to play this critical role.”.

I find this statement VERY interesting .. especially the ‘trusted intermediary’ bit

helping customers transform their businesses

Enterprises are seeking ways to transform their businesses, yet most cannot implement change faster than their IT can support. The need for change is the driving force behind the evolution to cloud computing capabilities.

This new computing model alleviates the need for upfront investments when deploying new applications. In addition, cloud computing services are yet another way to help our customers achieve their green IT objectives.

The Orange Business Services complete cloud computing portfolio also includes consulting services to both help customers understand the potential of cloud computing for their business and to plan their transition.

More information on: http://www.orange-business.com/cloud

AVJ: Green IT! how?

And http://www.orange-business.com/cloud is in French! I will try and know more

On one hand, one could say that it is a collection of buzzwords(as much of Cloud is) but I genuinely believe that Operators have a role here so I am going to find a lot more.

Comments welcome

Shall keep you posted

kind rgds

Ajit

I thought of using this blog post as a dynamic bio so I can keep it updated ..

Ajit Jaokar is the founder of the London based publishing and research company futuretext focussed on emerging Web and Mobile technologies.

His current research areas include Mobility/Convergence, Smart grids, LTE, Policy, Open systems, Privacy and Cloud computing.

Ajit’s thinking is widely followed in the industry and on his blog, the OpenGardensBlog, which was recently rated a top 20 wireless blog worldwide

In 2009-2010, Ajit was nominated as part of the Global Agenda Council on the Future of the Internet by the world economic forum. He hopes to use this opportunity to further extend the pragmatic viewpoint of the evolution of Telecoms networks in an open ecosystem.

(Note: The Network of Global Agenda Councils plays a significant role in shaping the global agenda by monitoring global issues and elaborating recommendations to address them. Each Council, comprised of 15-20 Members, serves as an advisory board to the Forum and other interested parties, such as governments and international organizations. The Global Agenda Councils also act as the intellectual drivers of the World Economic Forum’s Global Redesign Initiative, an unprecedented international, multistakeholder and multimedia dialogue that aims to develop a 21st-century vision of global cooperation. Members of the G20, the UN and other International Organizations have pledged their support for this initiative. )

Ajit is best known for his books Open Mobile, Mobile Web 2.0 and Social Media Marketing.

His consulting activities include working with companies to define value propositions across the device, network, Web and Social networking stack spanning both technology and strategy. He has worked with a range of commercial and government organizations globally including The European Union, Telecoms Operators, Device manufacturers, social networking companies and security companies in various strategic and visionary roles

His recent talks and forthcoming talks include: CEBIT 2009;MobileWorld Congress(2007, 2008, 2009); Keynote at O Reilly Web20 expo (April 2007);Keynote at Java One; CTIA; European Parliament – (Electronic Internet Foundation); Stanford University’s Digital visions program;MIT Sloan;Fraunhofer FOKUS ; University of St. Gallen (Switzerland);

Media appearances include BBC – Newsnight – 3phone launch; CNN money; BBC digital planet

Ajit chairs Oxford University’s Next generation mobile applications panel and conducts a course on Web 2.0, Social networking, Mobile Web 2.0 and LTE services at Oxford University.

Ajit lives in London, UK, but has three nationalities (British, Indian and New Zealander) and is proud of all three. He is currently doing a PhD on Privacy and Reputation systems at UCL in London. Ajit is a fan of animation especially Tom and Jerry, Tintin and Asterix and likes the music of ZZ Top and other rock bands

You can contact me at ajit.jaokar at futuretext.com

You can follow me on twitter at @AjitJaokar

To join my mailing list, please send me a brief email at ajit.jaokar at futuretext.com