Do you trust "the cloud"?

I don't blindly trust websites, no. However, established websites like Google (Gmail, etc.) and Flickr (photo sharing) I most certainly trust and rely on a great deal, with no ill effects.

I have absolutely no problem with reputable cloud networks. I currently use memotoo.com and ubuntuone because they are already services I rely on for syncing private data anyways such as my contact list, calendar & tasks.

Public cloud networks (subscription services for everybody) were never meant to host your most sensitive data anyways. Its clearly stated in their EULA that they recommend that you store your private data with an alternate source such as an external portable hard drive or thumbdrive and store them securely in a fire proof safe and/or bank deposit box.

Private or Corporate cloud networks will retain customer's sensitive data but its no different than how they are stored now in large databases on antiquated Unix systems anyways. The only difference is efficiency on the companny's end for accessing and updating those files. And, these networks are still protected behind corporate firewalls and proxies.

So, people who don't trust cloud networks as a storage solution, 1. Don't understand how they work. 2. Do not understand the proper usage of cloud networks. 3. Are still sucking their thumbs and saving everything to "My Documents" oblivious that their data is much more danger of being lost/stolen when stored directly on their computers.

Btw.. and I hope this is common sense, but just in case I'm wrong... Backing up to a desktop external hard drive that remains immobile under the same roof as your computer provides no protection from anybody except yourself (accidental file deletion, computer crashes, etc). All data backed up is still vulnerable to fire, flood, theft and user stupidity.

I do trust the could if it is a reliable cloud. If there are reports of the cloud raining down peoples stuff to thieves I will not use it. I trust google, and facebook, and big greatly monitored sites like that.

I think for the most part it's probably safe for most people. (Google makes me nervous.) I'm not sure if there's really any point in taking the chance though. It's easy enough to access personal files remotely without trusting or spending money on a third party service.