Difference Between "Platform" and "Protocol"?

[92iceman]

Really appreciate if someone could give a definition of those terms, and how they differ. I see them used interchangeably.

Thanks!

[CHRISBIN702]

Protocol is the official procedure or system of rules governing the communication or activities of programs and/or industries.

Platform refers to the technologies that are used as a base upon which other applications, processes or technologies are developed.

A computer is a platform. The languages it uses to communicate with software are the protocol. I'm not a programmer though. Just a Google user.

[Stingraider]

think a platform as a software, such as bitcointalk.org - that's a platform
protocol is more like a theory, or theorytical model which a platform can be based on