Reuven Cohen, a loud and important name in cloud computing has pointed towards a new way of looking at the definition of cloud computing. He argues that we should look at cloud computing as a euphemism rather then trying to define it through a metaphor or analogy or by simplifying it as internet-centric infrastructure.
Cohen says:
"To put it another way, the problem with describing cloud computing as a metaphor for the Internet is it's actually a "euphemism" for the world wide web.
According to wikipedia, Euphemisms may be formed in a number of ways. A Periphrasis or circumlocution is one of the most common — to "speak around" a given word or concept, implying it without saying it. Which it seems is what we are actually doing when referring to "cloud computing". Over time, circumlocutions become recognized as established euphemisms for particular words or ideas. Basically cloud computing is an other way to describe the web, or more broadly the next generation of the world wide web.
With this in mind, I think the challenge in trying to define a simple common definition for cloud computing is that we've been describing the wrong concept. We're not describing the physical infrastructure of the Internet so much as the application of that infrastructure."
So there it is. Let's start taking a look at the bigger picture like Mr. Cohen. Cloud computing isn't the infrastructure of the internet, its simply a better way of "applying" it.
Cohen says:
"To put it another way, the problem with describing cloud computing as a metaphor for the Internet is it's actually a "euphemism" for the world wide web.
According to wikipedia, Euphemisms may be formed in a number of ways. A Periphrasis or circumlocution is one of the most common — to "speak around" a given word or concept, implying it without saying it. Which it seems is what we are actually doing when referring to "cloud computing". Over time, circumlocutions become recognized as established euphemisms for particular words or ideas. Basically cloud computing is an other way to describe the web, or more broadly the next generation of the world wide web.
With this in mind, I think the challenge in trying to define a simple common definition for cloud computing is that we've been describing the wrong concept. We're not describing the physical infrastructure of the Internet so much as the application of that infrastructure."
So there it is. Let's start taking a look at the bigger picture like Mr. Cohen. Cloud computing isn't the infrastructure of the internet, its simply a better way of "applying" it.
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