Cloud Computing: Cloud Computing: What Americans Know, and Don't Know, About the Technology

The majority of Americans are confused by the term "cloud" and do not associate it with the IT business, according to a recent survey. The national survey by Wakefield Research, commissioned by Citrix Systems, showed that most respondents believe the cloud is related to weather, while some referred to pillows, drugs and toilet paper. However, even those that don't know exactly what the cloud is recognize its economic benefits and think the cloud is a catalyst for small-business growth, the survey showed. The survey of more than 1,000 American adults was conducted in August and shows that while the cloud is widely used, it is still misunderstood. For example, 51 percent of respondents, including a majority of Millennials, believe stormy weather can interfere with cloud computing. Nearly one-third see the cloud as a thing of the future, yet 97 percent are actually using cloud services today via online shopping, banking, social networking and file sharing. Despite this confusion, three in five—59 percent—said they believe the "workplace of the future" will exist entirely in the cloud. The survey shows there is a significant disconnect between what Americans know, what they pretend to know and what they actually do when it comes to cloud computing. This slide show takes a look at some of the verbatim responses some respondents came up with to describe "the cloud."