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.

That’s right, folks. I am posting this entry via a remote desktop connection to a virtualized server at Amazon’s vast server farm in Seattle, Washington. What am I talking about? Maybe the announcement that Amazon’s cloud computing platform, EC2, is out of beta with Windows support? Yeah, that might be it!

Right now, I feel like shouting at the top of my lungs about how AMAZING this all really is. For only .125 cents an hour, I can now launch as many Windows Server 2003 ‘virtual machines’ as I’d like. I don’t have to worry about licensing, acquiring server hardware or bandwidth. In just under two minutes with a few clicks (I use the ElasticFox FireFox plugin for EC2), I was able to launch a Windows Server with ease and use it remotely from my laptop here at home.

If you’re not already aware, Ronald Lewis Dot Com runs on an Amazon EC2-based Linux server. It not only runs this web site, but many more! It even manages several phone numbers, voicemails and a lot more thanks to my Asterisk PBX telephone system. I’m overjoyed by Amazon’s announcement of their support for Windows. I cannot begin to explain what a wonderful development this is. It’s another step in the right direction for cloud computing and Internet services overall. Do not underestimate my cool demeanor here. At this point, I want to run around Denver proclaiming that this new development is “the future of computing!” I’m truly speechless right now. Speechless. Numbed. Paralyzed. Wow!

How best to sum this all up? AMAZING! Here’s another reason why I’ve decided to use Amazon’s EC2 platform exclusively for all of my web needs. It doesn’t get any better than this. I can hardly contain my excitement. For those who care about technology and read the announcement, you should already know what a big deal this is. This is a defining moment in computing. Cloud computing is the future! Once again, Amazon has redefined an emerging space with exponential potential! They understand where this space is going and are responding intelligently with robust solutions to meet demand.

More to come on this soon. I’m so psyched at the moment that I cannot think straight. This is just amazing. It’s developments such as this that make me realize how wonderful technology is and how it can inspire a new world of innovation and creativity. Imagine the possibilities for developers and startups seeking to make their mark in the world. They can do so without the costly overhead of co-locating servers or spending outrageous fees on Microsoft licenses. This is a game changer, folks. This is serious business. This changes everything.

For months, I’ve been sitting on a few interesting domains that I purchased on a whim in the event I might do something with them. Today, I am pleased to announce the upcoming unveiling of CloudCrunch. You may have seen the name around the Internet or here on my blog, but today, I want to officially raise awareness of it and let folks know that it’s happening.

Cloud computing is an exciting development in technology. It harkens back to the day of ‘time sharing’ with mainframes, but the difference here is that one has complete and full control over their virtual server. I’ve been a strong proponent of Amazon’s EC2 platform, which I believe is the ‘best-of-the-best’ for this emerging space.

It is my intent to build CloudCrunch to become one of the Top 10 cloud computing resources on the Internet. The centerpiece of the site will be a blog, followed by resources including forums, howto guides and more. The first howto guide to launch with the site will center around the installation of Digium’s Asterisk PBX on Amazon EC2. There’s been a lot of interest in this guide and I believe it will become a hit once CloudCrunch launches.

When I’m satisfied with the initial build of CloudCrunch, I’ll announce a soft launch to get the wheels turning. Special thanks to the many people who’ve expressed interest in my cloud computing projects here on ronaldlewis.com.