Survey: Nobody Knows What Cloud Computing Is

Survey: Nobody Knows What Cloud Computing Is

Cloud computing is one of the tech buzzwords of the decade - but according to a new survey, no one has any idea what it is.

Most people actually think cloud computing is something to do with weather, the survey said.

Others think it's related to drugs, toilet paper or pillows - and 95% of those who don't think they're using it actually are.

Cloud computing is a broad term which describes services in which a user's data and information are stored online rather than on their own PC or mobile device.Popular 'cloud' services include Microsoft's Skydrive, Apple's iCloud and Dropbox.

But according to the survey by Wakefield Research, commissioned by Citrix, that isn't clear to virtually anyone.

Among the responses it received when it asked people to describe "the cloud" were:

  • "Condensed water vapor floating on atmospheric dust"
  • "It has something to do with technology"
  • "Blocks on my computer"
  • "Final Fantasy"
  • "Toilet paper"
  • "Something hovering over you"
  • "God"

More than half (51%) said that stormy weather would interfere with cloud computing - but 14% said they've pretended to known what it is in a job interview.

On 16% said 'the cloud' was a computer network.

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