Only because I grew up in Oregon and have a smidgion of remaining pride about it:

Apple confirmed plans to build a data center in Pineville, Oregon

It’s PRineville.
It was named for the first merchant located in the present location, Barney Prine.

You’re from Oregon if you know how to pronounce Coos Bay.

You’re from Oregon if you know how to pronounce Oregon

You’re from Oregon if you know how to pronounce Coos Bay.

You’re from Oregon if you don’t know how to pump your own gas.

I haven’t been through there in a long time, is that regulation still in effect?

You’re from Oregon if you know how to pronounce Coos Bay.

My favorite though, just up the road from Coos Bay is the little town of Coquille. That always catches the tourists.

Aside from the Oregon funnies; this announcements makes one wonder what Apple is up to with all these servers. iCloud? Of course that is the answer in part. But just where is Apple going with iCloud?

Aside from the Oregon funnies; this announcements makes one wonder what Apple is up to with all these servers.

The simple answer is redundancy. It’s unlikely that there would be two simultaneous disasters that take out both sites.

However you’re right. They are way over capacity if all they were going to do was the current iCloud services. In addition they must have a pretty decent server farm in Cupertino or elsewhere. MobileMe and its predecessors were running before the site in the east coast came on line.

However you’re right. They are way over capacity if all they were going to do was the current iCloud services.

Apple TV? Maybe they are are going to host the movies and such.

My GoogleMap impression of Prineville’s geography/geology is that it’s sitting atop the mountain ridge lying against the eastern side of the Pacific coastal fault line(s) where many volcanos and lava flows have erupted between Canada & Mexico.  Therefore, free unlimited subterranean hydrothermal electricity should be available relatively nearby (or not excessively deep below) Apple’s plant, I’d expect.

There are a number of hot springs in Oregan, I have visited several, so yes geothermal energy is a possibility. In Al Gore’s ebook/app Our Choice he has a map of the United States and how deep you would have to drill to get enough heat for geothermal energy production.

Would Apple do it or rely on 3rd party to set it up and also sell to the grid.

jbruni said:

You’re from Oregon if you know how to pronounce Coos Bay.

You’re from Oregon if you don’t know how to pump your own gas.

I haven’t been through there in a long time, is that regulation still in effect?

Yes. Its only purpose is to keep unskilled people employed. There’s no scientific or safety reason at all.

Yes. Its only purpose is to keep unskilled people employed.

There is value in that.

Speaking of workers, how many will this data center employee? On site and remotely.

I looked on a map and Prineville is up in the northeast corner of the State. Gorgeous country up there, but a bit out in the boondocks.