Americans think “the cloud” is a real cloud

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Citrix recently commissioned a study to find out what the average American consumer thinks about cloud computing. The results show that even though people are using cloud computing extensively, they don’t really understand what it is – some even think it’s a “real” cloud, like in the sky.

For example, 51 percent of respondents, including a majority of Millennials, believe stormy weather can interfere with cloud computing.

Despite that, 97 percent of those polled are actually using the technology in some form or another – online shopping, banking, social networking and file sharing all qualify as “cloud” services.

If nothing else, this demonstrates the absence of technical literacy among general consumers, and the confusion that’s created when people insist on adopting cute monikers like “cloud” to describe something that can be clearly defined in plain language: network-based file storage and data management.

Eh, whatever. I’m gonna go chill out and listen to The Orb.



  • http://twitter.com/CoreyTamas Joel In Real Life

    Little fluffy clouds. Little fluffy clouds. Flu-flu-flu-flu-flu-flu-f-f-f-f-f-flu-flu-flu…

  • ckoerner

    I think this is indicative of technologists* not being able to communicate succinctly how this stuff works. It’s cheap and easy to say ‘cloud’ and gloss over it. Then, when it invariably gets discussed around people whose job is not technology, no one wants to raise their hand to ask, “What does that mean?”.

    If your client doesn’t understand something, that doesn’t make them an idiot. It’s our job to make sure we’re using common language to share these ideas and concepts.

    *myself included

  • http://twitter.com/Moeskido Moeskido

    Saying “cloud” is only slightly easier than saying “4G.”

  • tomtubbs

    Amazon can testify that storms can knock out cloud computing! see AWS’s downtime due to weather ;)

  • Russgenz

    Oh, please. Customers understanding the Cloud technology is like asking them to understand how to gap spark plugs in order to drive to the grocery store. Computer geeks seem to think that consumers need to understand technology to use it. Bull, I don’t understand the mechanics of breathing but I breath. I don’t fully understand football offensive strategies but I still enjoy watching the game. I don’t understand how disk storage works but I been storing data on drives since 1978. Lighten up Computer SME’s it don’t take no Al Einstein to live in a techno world nowadays.

  • Lukas

    The fact that people think bad weather can interfere with “the cloud” does not mean that they think that “the cloud” is a real cloud. In fact, they’re right, bad weather can interfere with our communications infrastructure, and interrupt access to “the cloud”.

    Also, “network-based file storage and data management” isn’t a good alternative to “the cloud”. It’s like asking people to say “pixel-based led-backlit visual output device” instead of “screen”.

    • ckoerner

      I think “network-based file storage and data management” was meant to be a joke.

      • thirdopticaltool

        From Citrix, the people who did the silly survey:

        What is it, anyway?: When asked what “the cloud” is, a majority responded it’s either an actual cloud (specifically a “fluffy white thing”), the sky or something related to the weather (29 percent). Only 16 percent said they think of a computer network to store, access and share data from Internet-connected devices. Some of the other verbatim responses include:Toilet paper, pillow, smoke, outerspace, cyberspace, mysterious network, unreliable, security, sadness, relaxed, overused, oh goody a hacker’s dream, storage, movies, money, memory, back-up, joy, innovation, drugs, heaven and a place to meet.

        So only 16% said exactly the magic words they were looking for, while it looks like many of the “funny examples” they list are people who understand exactly what “the cloud” is but answered cheekily. And were then counted as “not knowing what it is.”

        I’m not sure it was meant to be a joke. He’s arguing for plain clear language, but I think we’re over-estimating how many people are actually confused about the cutesy marketing naming.

  • Bob

    Hey Peter, every time your pal Darby yells “Cloud!” I can’t help think of an angry german god of information named “Claude”.

    Seems appropriate somehow.

    Love the site, mate. AMB and Amplified are awesome too.

  • http://twitter.com/FlopTech FlopTech Engineering

    Just tell newbies to substitute “internet” for “cloud” in any technical discussion. It will eliminate most or all confusion.

  • thirdopticaltool

    “If nothing else, this demonstrates the absence of technical literacy among general consumers…”

    That’s not really fair – as a CABLE INTERNET subscriber, I can tell you that at least once upon a time, stormy weather absolutely did interfere with connectivity.

    But more to the point, look at how this survey was actually done – it’s an internet survey with 1,000 participants, many of which were obviously being snarky/cheeky with their answers. Looks at the ACTUAL answers people gave when asked “What is the cloud?” here:

    “smoke, outerspace, cyberspace, unreliable, security, sadness, relaxed, overused, oh goody a hacker’s dream, storage, movies, money, memory, back-up, joy, innovation, drugs, heaven and a place to meet.”

    People giving responses like “oh goody a hacker’s dream” are counted as among the 84% of incorrect answers.

    It’s a bunch of hog-wash.