Jesse - I think the article does make a point that's worth emphasizing.
About Google, the author says:

"Billions use their search. Tens of millions save files with Gmail.
They've got to know what's up, right?

That's exactly what the big cloud companies hope you will think.
Microsoft's general manager of Windows Live, Brian Hall, told me brand
recognition is the best way for people to compare services."

The implication is that users will assume the larger, more
recognizably-named providers are doing a better (more secure, reliable,
consistent) job of managing the cloud-stored assets.  But that's not
necessarily true.

While the analogy with "Fred-and-Ethel's records warehouse" has a degree
of validity, in the paper storage world there does tend to be better
standardization of services when you deal with larger national (or
international) providers.  Partially, this may be due to industry
organizations like ARMA and PRISM developing and applying standards.
Also, I think it reflects the relative maturity of that industry.
Although the internet has been around for a while, the infrastructure
around it keeps shifting, making it difficult (if not impossible) to
develop standardized approaches to things like storage.  (This is not
intended to reflect negatively -- or positively -- on any records
storage providers, large or small.  I'm making a sweeping
generalization, so expect that it won't be true universally.)

These are just my thoughts at this moment.  Keep in mind that I'm not
very technically savvy, and be gentle!

Pilar
 
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