A Humble Proposal to the Tech Industry (and its Buzzwordsmiths)

The Tech world, apparently, thrives on buzzwords and cliches. The one buzzword  that's been pervading all conversations and most articles is "Cloud".  "Cloud" is a particularly hazardous one because it's both blurry and nebulous (both puns intended). Unlike many other buzzwords, "Cloud" has many different meanings to different people (and not in a good way). Marketing folks sure LOVE this one because it's so metaphoric and evocative yet intrinsically meaningless, but what about your product and project managers? Your non-technical directors?   Your developers?  Your Operations personnel? How do they define and understand the word "Cloud" (in the technical context)? Do they see it a Holy Grail or panacea? Do they see it as a "nice to have, but not required"?  As a threat to their jobs? It is precisely why this buzzword can be and is dangerous.

So, my humble proposal is to get rid of it, in as much as possible, from our technical vocabulary. Instead, I humbly suggest, you use words or phrases like Utility-Priced Scalable Computing (UPSC)? Or more simply Scalable Virtual Computing (SVC)? How about the existing phrases like IaaS or SaaS or PaaS (wherever appropriate) ? Or use phrases or words that have a very specific, to-the-point meaning. Everyone in your organization, your customers, associates, etc. should unequivocally understand the same terminology. The less ambiguity in buzzword semantics, the better decisions can be made, better conversations can be had and, ultimately, the simpler it'll become to think, talk and do something about it.