Too many extolling the virtues of cloud computing are ignoring many of its most transformational benefits

The last two months have presented several large “black eyes” for cloud computing. As a result, cloud computing pundits have questioned the readiness of cloud computing for the enterprise. In response, cloud computing advocates have highlighted reliability metrics far better than those of any enterprise. Who is right and who is wrong in this argument? They both are.

Countless companies now claim to provide cloud computing-based products. However, at first glance it is easy for ASP- and SaaS-based delivery too look like true cloud computing. How can you tell the difference: with two simple “acid tests.”

It is easy to focus on the “tax” that hackers like Wikileaks and Operation Payback impose on the cost of IT and information security. However, the technology industry always adapts. It will evolve products and services in response these attacks that ultimately make our information safer and more secure.

The 2009 Gartner Hype Cycle Special Report evaluates the maturity of 1,650 technologies and trends in 79 technology, topic and industry areas. New Hype Cycles this year include cloud computing, data center power and cooling technologies, and mobile device technologies. Here are my Web 1.0 reflections and Web 2.0 prognostications based on this report…