That's interesting that this would turn up today. I'm looking at something similar ...but a VERY different approach.
http://learn.adafruit.com/dht-humidi...-gdocs-logging
Basically, this is a temp/humidity logger that writes to a Google Doc and can be viewed live from anywhere on the web. It involves MUCH user-side configuration, Linux administration experience (to some extent) ...as well as the single-board-computer Raspberry Pi. It overcomes some of the "cons" you mentioned ...by introducing what a lot of folks would consider drawbacks of its own.
I'll let you know how it works when/if I get mine working.