Best lessons about Cloud Computing 101

Sure, there are lots of examples of leading-edge companies that are dabbling with it. And, I know some big ones that are making notable strides as well. And folks like Werner Vogels are talking about the great progress that’s been made (see hisStructure 2010 conference keynote summary here).

But I keep forgetting that things generally don’t happen quickly in IT. Even revolutionary things. Or maybe the correct way to phrase that is *especially* revolutionary things.

When I signed on as the instructor for the Cloud Computing 101 session at the recent CA World conference, I didn’t realize how clear this would become. In fact, my first worry was how to navigate the definitional debates that rage in the industry (often in 140 character bursts) and get to some of the more advanced topics during the session.

But, as I started to think about my audience a bit more, I realized skipping the basics would be a big mistake. In fact, I learned some pretty instructive lessons myself simply from leading the Cloud 101 session, lessons that I think most of us involved in cloud computing would do well to remember.

Those of us immersed in discussing the possibilities and realities of cloud computing in the industry (check outhttp://twitter.com/clouderati/all for a good start at that list) have a tendency to listen intently to the others doing much the same thing. Some people call it the vendor “echo chamber” – picture this one filled with clouds, of course.

The problem, though, is not with all the talking about cloud computing. The issue is with the listening. Or rather, with *not* listening. If there’s one thing that a room full of customers trying to learn the basics about cloud computing will teach you, it’s to worry less about you think you want to say and instead listen to what they’re asking.

Here are a few humbling lessons I learned along the way while presenting Cloud 101. They seem pretty basic, but that’s my point:

Continues @http://datacenterdialog.blogspot.com