After a month of using Google’s Chrome OS and CR48 notebook, I’m convinced Microsoft cannot ignore the threat of Google’s Internet OS. So they should respond with ‘Internet Explorer OS’ to counter Google’s move on their turf.

Chrome OS with the CR48 is what I consider a ‘netbook experience’. I’m sure Redmond is busy building Internet Explorer OS. If not, they could have another ‘iPad problem’ on their hands. The ‘browser-as-an-OS’ strategy is a smart one and consumers will flock to it. Again, Microsoft can’t ignore this. They could use their own browser-based OS to up sell consumers to a Windows 7 Upgrade & application bundle. It could work.

In closing, I love the Chrome OS experience. It’s a joy to use each day, even with the occasional hiccups experienced using the development branch and prototype hardware (CR48). Everyday computing tasks are simple & to the point. Computers should be our friends — not our enemies.

Google is making incredible progress on an incredible computing platform.

I’m proud to announce the conclusion of a risky, year-long assessment of Amazon EC2. As a technology professional and early adopter since the late 80s, I’ve always had a penchant for living on the cutting edge of technology. Cloud computing is no exception. Nearing my two year anniversary as an Amazon Web Services customer, I am pleased with Amazon’s cloud experience. It’s solid, reliable, and extremely flexible. I’ve launched and configured dozens of servers for personal and client projects ranging from databases to VoIP applications. I’ve never experienced a single failure.

So, why was this experiment risky? Until a few months ago, Amazon lacked a permanent storage solution to maintain data in the event a server crashes. Sure, I maintained backups, but I still ran the risk of losing important data. It’s a risk I was ready to take and I’m happy to report that my experiment with cloud computing was successful.

I hope my experience will encourage others to adopt cloud computing for their own projects. If you’re considering Amazon Web Services, I’d be happy to assist you. Just contact me.

Now through December 31, 2008, I am offering discounted, personalized Amazon EC2 services for individuals and businesses for only $250. The following is included in this limited offer:

1. Personalized assistance to setup and configure your Amazon EC2 account
2. 3 hours consulting
3. Setup, configuration and training on how to use a Linux or Windows server in the cloud
4. Setup and configuration of base software and modules for Linux or Windows
5. Additional assistance as necessary (within 3 hour consulting limit)

This offer is ideal for any individual or business interested in the following:

1. Evaluating cloud computing for cost and performance analysis
2. Moving services, data and web sites to the cloud
3. Saving money on data distribution costs
4. And more

If credibility or capability is of concern to you, no worries: There plenty of links to my work in the cloud on Google. I’ve been featured by Amazon at Sylantro’s Global Summit and on their AWS blog for my open source telephony and cloud computing work.

Let’s get started, shall we?

On October 31, 2007, I embarked on a new journey in technology: I embraced the cloud computing movement. I did so with the clarity of knowing that I was joining a movement that would transform how we access, interact with and utilize computers. It was a risk I did not hesitate to make, even when my financial position wasn’t at its healthiest for most of 2007.

So, why did I risk increasing my monthly expenditures on web services by 73% ($20 to $75 per month) when I didn’t have much money for such increases? It’s pretty simple: Freedom of restriction. In the world of web services, there are contracts, limitations and obstacles. These all get in the way of truly accomplishing a task or realizing a dream (without losing your shirt in the process). In the world of cloud computing, there are no boundaries. No constraints. No limits. The world is truly yours to discover.

Cloud computing is a wonderful shift in technology as we know it today. Now, with a few keystrokes and clicks, one can power any dream online without concern of outrageous fees or unrealistic commitments. You are free to explore your creativity and wild imagination to your heart’s content. There isn’t a phone number to call to add an additional server, module or hard drive. You can now do all of this yourself within minutes for how ever many units you desire.

Looking back on a year of using the Amazon Web Services platform, I can say with full conviction that I made the right choice. I’ve sent all of my telecommunication and web hosting needs to the cloud. 90% of my digital life now resides in the cloud and I am quickly aiming for 100% in 2009. Thanks to Amazon’s extraordinary work in this space, they’ve torn down the digital barriers which previously prevented many from accessing raw computing power as necessary. Their effort has enabled a new generation of developers, entrepreneurs and small businesses with unparalleled access to modern technology that we haven’t seen in the last 25 years.

I am overjoyed about cloud computing. It is the most critical development in technology that we’ve ever witnessed. It’s more important than the Internet and desktop software. It is the foundation which will empower dreamers with the tools to transform societies and the way they use technology on a daily basis. This is bigger than the personal computer or mainframe. This is about enabling humanity to develop new ideas, possibilities and endless realities without fear of financial burden.

It is my desire to share my enthusiasm for cloud computing with the world. It is my mission to engage as many people as possible in this defining moment in technology. This is an exciting time to witness the evolution of modern technology. We are only at the beginning stages of this incredible movement. Imagine what the next five years will bring the world thanks to cloud computing:

• Open source, enterprise-grade telecommunications for individuals and businesses
• Virtual workstations
• Free, global long distance calling
• Data backups for life
• And a lot more

I look forward to helping developers, entrepreneurs, corporations and the entire world realize the cloud computing dream. Let’s make it happen, together.

I just received word that I was featured during a presentation by Amazon at Sylantro’s recent Global Summit. Because this summit is telephony related, Amazon most likely mentioned my ongoing VoIP work ‘in the cloud’ on their EC2 platform.

This was surprise news to me. It’s always a thrill to learn about the places and events where my projects and work are mentioned.

Special thanks to the Amazon AWS team for including me in their presentation before a global audience.

Thousands of readers worldwide have relied on 10 Minutes: Asterisk PBX on Amazon EC2 to configure and install the world’s most popular open-source PBX in the cloud in a snap! New for 2012 is a FREE PDF and fresh look.

Some of the corporations that use this guide as well: Western Union, IBM, Boeing, Avaya, and dozens more!

Have suggestions or feedback for the guide? Please send it!

Looking for a VoIP phone? Support Ronald’s work and buy it from e4!

Any day now, I’ll create a spoof of Steve Ballmer chanting the importance of cloud computing. In just months, we’ve witnessed an increasing trend in computing where developers and small businesses are consolidating their IT infrastructure and outsourcing it to the likes of Amazon (EC2). Why is cloud computing becoming a hot topic in technology today? I think I have an easy answer:

Cost effective access to unlimited computing power

Do you have a server farm in your shed or back office? Do you have the latest in high-performing blade servers that are ready to host demanding applications and web sites? Do you have vast amounts of bandwidth to power your global reach?

If you’re a consultant, developer or small business owner, there’s a strong likelihood that you lack the technological resources of an enterprise. Now, thanks to cloud computing, the data center is now virtual and available for any tasks you can throw at it.

This website is powered by Amazon’s multi-billion dollar IT infrastructure. It lives on one of thousands of servers within the company’s vast network of server farms. The only limits are defined by the server you launch and configure. The Digg effect? What’s that? Amazon EC2 is truly a dream come true.

Cloud computing is one of the most exciting developments in technology that I’ve personally witnessed in the last decade. It puts the power of the enterprise in the hands of smaller operations — For pennies a day. I cannot think of a better way to launch new companies, develop new Internet applications or create the ‘next big thing’ in technology.

Imagine all the possibilities of cloud computing and Amazon EC2:

1. Web hosting
2. Software development
3. Telecommunications (Asterisk PBX)
4. Storage

The future of computing and the Internet is “in the cloud”.

Note: I am not endorsed by Amazon Web Services.

Seven years ago, I began my experimentation with Asterisk and IP telephony on Linux. I had previously ditched my reliance on POTS (“Plain Old Telephone Service”) in favor of a new player in the VoIP space: Vonage. (I’ve been using VoIP since 1995, starting with Vocaltec’s Internet Phone)

Read my popular guide on configuring Asterisk PBX on Amazon EC2

Amazed and equally blown away by the feature set and possibilities of VoIP, I began to wonder how anyone could implement this technology for their own use. That’s when I discovered Asterisk.

Today, my implementations of Asterisk no longer reside on a physical server shoved in a closet somewhere. Instead, they now live “in the cloud” within Amazon’s vast IT enterprise environment in Seattle, Washington. I can remotely manage and administer my Asterisk installation from anywhere in the world, including the addition of extensions, troubleshooting the dial plan and much more.

Since experimenting with telephony in the cloud, I haven’t experienced any downtime in four years of testing Asterisk on Amazon’s EC2 platform. No downtime! What’s even better about implementing Asterisk in the cloud is that it’s painless and hassle free. Servers can be launched instantly — and in real-time — without unboxing and installing necessary hardware to “turn up” new installations for service expansion, etc.

As someone with a near 20 year history with technology, the combination of IP telephony with cloud computing is an amazing development in the telecom world. The possibilities are endless and only limited by one’s imagination. Welcome to a new world of telephony — reinvented in the cloud.

If you’d like to experience Asterisk and IP telephony in the cloud for yourself, read my popular DIY guide now!