New comment on "How do you explain cloud computing to your colleagues?"

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Group: Cloud Computing, SaaS & Virtualization Discussion: How do you explain cloud computing to your colleagues? TJ, that is just so wrong I have to stop it right there. There is a HUGE difference metality-wise between "cloud" and Client/Server. You are correct in your examples and history of the term, but cloud doesn't equal Network any more that Network equals Server. They are completely different and, at least for the Network, completely independent. "Cloud" is a paradigm shift in how computing resources are provided, consumed, and billed. Your gross oversimplification of that is a detriment to understanding this. Robert is MUCH closer and, indeed, brings many good points as to what questions SHOULD be asked. That said, people need to wrap their heads around the concept before they can ask these kinds of questions. As for your points on Marketing terms, they already have. As you pointed out, the term "Cloud" is an umbrella term to describe any service provided as a black box. The new "defining" terms marketing is using now is XaaS where X is whatever is being provided "as a Service". The good news about this is at least it isolates what part of the computing stack you are talking about in the "cloud". I actually have written a blog article about this that I am waiting to have published as to how I explain it. It is actually going to be the first in a series of articles as one article won't do it justice at all. It is not from a holistic view, as "cloud" itself isn't holistic by nature, but I hope to do some justice in defining it with more than just a definition. My goal is to define parts of it from a Public Cloud perspective with current examples - and then extend it showing how this would be achieved in a private cloud as well. I will post the blog link here once it is published if any are so inclined to read it. Posted by Thomas

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