cloud computing
"Why cloud computing is like renting an apartment - How is the cloud like an apartment building? Watch this cloud computing video to find out "
"Cloud computing, which itself is an analogy or possibly a metaphor wrapped in a euphemism, has seen more than its fair share of linguistic tricks applied to it over the years. Among the more frequent is the so-called "power grid" analogy. It goes like this, "Cloud computing is like plugging into a central power grid instead of generating your own power." OK, don't like that one? There's always the thermostat analogy, "
An article about the language used to describe renting an off site server vs. having owning and maintaining you own server on site.
Most data and processing is stored at a centralized site instead of local workstations.
I've always thought this phrase was weak. It's weak in the sense that it's supposed to help describe the process of people putting their information on severs that are away from their homes and businesses.
But why is this a cloud? Who came up with this phrase and decided to apply it to this type of business? It's a really crappy metaphor in the sense that it doesn't help to describe a complicated system.
METAMIA is a free database of analogy and metaphor. Anyone can contribute or search. The subject matter can be anything. Science is popular, but poetry is encouraged. The goal is to integrate our fluid muses with the stark literalism of a relational database. Metamia is like a girdle for your muses, a cognitive girdle.