Can you put answers here, I think it would benefit everyone.

Thanks

@Nathan

Happy to oblige, this is the answer I gave the OP mgmagi via Support:

"These are all fair questions.

Pogoplug in it's current incarnation does require a Server to handle certain tasks in order for you to have both remote and local access to Pogoplug. You would not have access to Pogoplug without this Pogoplug Service.

Please know we have a solid growth plan and are well-funded. http://www.crunchbase.com/company/cloud-engines

We have also placed the Pogoplug code into intellectual escrow. In the unlikely event Pogoplug fails as an ongoing entity, enterprising individuals (such as crimsonredmk) in the Open Source community could continue to host the Pogoplug Service. http://www.pogoplug.com/blog/what-happens-if-pogoplug-goes-out-of-business-84/

None of your data is backed up or stored on our Pogoplug Service. Your files remain on your hard drive at your home or office and we do not have access to it. If you don't want local or remote access for these files (somewhat counterintuitive I realize), simply eject your usb drive from Pogoplug and your data will remain safe and sound at home. And when you are remote to your Pogoplug, you can access our secure website by entering https://my.pogoplug.com in your browser's address bar."

-christopher