Here's a prescription of what it should mean, in contrast to the empty marketing usage This week I’m at Cloud Expo, where I suspect I’ll see and hear the world “open” a lot. This is not only a cloud issue — in much of the software world, “open” is becoming almost a religious belief. Technologists typically assume they need to use “open” technology but are not sure what it means.The idea is compelling. We all want to invest in technology that works and plays well with other “open” technology, and where we’re not dependent on the vendors because it’s “open” source. Thus, we can protect our investment in that technology, and all will be right with the world.[ Get the no-nonsense explanations and advice you need to take real advantage of cloud computing in InfoWorld editors’ 21-page Cloud Computing Deep Dive PDF special report. | Stay up on the cloud with InfoWorld’s Cloud Computing Report newsletter. ] It’s natural the same aspiration is being applied to the cloud. Thus, standards organizations are emerging around the concept of “open” in the world of cloud computing. For example, just this week the Open Data Center Alliance was formed to sway IT vendors toward supporting a cloud computing world where openness is a priority. Of course there’s also the Open Cloud Consortium, which focuses on working with vendors and industry to make sure the cloud is open, including the use of its Open Cloud Testbed.The truth of the matter is the term “open” is so widely used that it does not have any meaning or value any more. I view it as more of a marketing concept. Perhaps it’s time to draw a line in the sand and decide what “open” really means.Here’s my proposed definition: First, the vendor must provide the code for the core cloud product or service — not a subset of items on a separate code tree, which many vendors call the “open source version,” but what the vendor is actually pushing for its customers to use. Second, the vendor must take feedback, fixes, and new features back into the core code tree from outside the organization. Finally, the vendor doesn’t take legal action against anyone who takes its core product and builds something better with it, or includes it in other products. You’ll find that only a very few cloud technologies make it through that filter.This article, “What does ‘open’ really mean in cloud computing?,” originally appeared at InfoWorld.com. Read more of David Linthicum’s Cloud Computing blog and follow the latest developments in cloud computing at InfoWorld.com. Cloud Computing