The difference is the abstraction layer. I would define “the cloud” as a layer that abstracts away the physical infrastructure. (Which works until it doesn’t but that’s a longer comment.)

You can even apply “the cloud” to your very own fleet of computers with the right software.

Like I said in the original comment, it’s a specific solution to a specific problem. Whether it’s right for your system I have no idea.

It sounds you're trying to dismiss and downplay solutions to problems you're oblivious to.

Even if you want to simplisticly frame "the cloud" as "renting someone else's computer", keep in mind that:

* It's not one computer but as many as you'd like, and get them at the click of a button,

* These are computers which are managed 24/7 by a team of highly trained specialists,

* These computers can be located anywhere in the world and simultaneously in multiple regions,

* These computers are designed to be fault-tolerant and handle (and survive) way more stuff that can conceivably be thrown at them.

> People talk about "the cloud" with the same fervor and language as members of a cult.

I'm sorry to say but you sound like you're militantly opposed to a solution to problems you either don't understand or refuse to understand.

"The cloud", even when following the simplistic and clueless belief that it's just "renting someone else's computer", solves whole classes of technical and business problema that your box under your desk cannot solve.