The genetic origins of web-hosted software may derive mainframe time-sharing before migrating to the Cloud. But when it comes to jargon, the on-demand software industry is truly breaking new ground.
This, you may recall, is the industry that mutated from application service provision (ASP) into software as a service (SaaS) before assuming its current fluffy guise. And any technology that hints of exciting new growth opportunities is sure to interest investment bankers and venture capitalists - arch proponents of bizarre terminology. These are the people, for example, who brought you the Google-flip - a investment vehicle designed specifically to be acquired by the search engine giant.
More recently, AccMan's Dennis Howlett reported that Cloud accounting company Xero had "hockey sticked" with exponential growth figures since it launched two years ago.
Linguistic developments such as these have attracted unwelcome barbs from the likes of the Plain English Campaign.
"Naturally new developments bring new language," commented Plain English Campaign spokeswoman Marie Clair this week. If users of technology are going to benefit from the new computing possibilities on offer, "Creators must help bring down the walls of techno-babble by using terms we can relate to," she complained.
A quick trawl of internet sources turned up several other interesting additions to the industry's lexicon. How many times have you encountered one of these phrases?
- Stratosfear - unreasonable concern about launching your data into the beyond.
- Inversion - converting data back to desktop apps when the internet grinds to a halt
- NIMBUS - Not In My Bloody Useless System.
- Precipitation interface - Where Cloud computing touches the ground. Usually ends in tears.
- Polishing Chrome - adding plug-ins to Google's browser.
- Twelves - Small, bearded characters who spend the majority of their working days on Twitter.
- Vapour trail - Marketing campaign for product that is never released.
Can you help us spot other examples of Cloud jargon? All contributions welcomed.
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