FlexGo != Utility Computing

May 22, 2006 at 8:26 am · Filed under Grid Computing

FlexGo is a new “pay-as-you-go” service from Microsoft. From their site:

Introducing Microsoft® FlexGo™ - an innovative technology that makes it easier for people with modest incomes in emerging markets to buy a full-featured PC for their families.

Nick Carr calls this a “full-fledged utility computing service for PCs”. While technically correct, calling this kind of service utility computing further muddles an already troubled term — rendering it useless.

Update: apparently Mr. Carr decided this isn’t really utility computing and has changed his post to read “a utility-like computing service.” Good. I feared he had gone around the bend.

Tags: FlexGo, grid, Microsoft, Utility-Computing, WinHEC

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