Above The Cloud

Earlier this year Eric Nelson from Microsoft put out the call to Azure authors to build a community eBook about the Windows Azure Platform. Today the book was finally released to web today, and I have 2 articles included: Auto-scaling Azure, and Building Highly Scalable Applications in the Cloud.

I won’t bang on about it here, just check it out for yourself:

• SlideShare
• Download PDF

Earlier last week I had the privilege of presenting at Remix10, a two day web conference held in Melbourne Australia. I presented in front of a packed crowd, and the topic seemed so popular that I had to deliver it again a second time the next day.

I really enjoyed the “love fest” and while I didn’t get to see much of the other presentations, the keynote was awesome, demonstrating some great integration points with Microsoft Surface, Slate, and Windows Phone 7.

My presentation topic was “Architecting for the Cloud” with a focus on how to build highly scalable applications, leveraging aspects of the Windows Azure Platform.

The presentation began with a quick overview of the platform, then followed by identifying some key aspects to highly scalable applications such as minimising state, caching mechanisms and messaging patterns.

As with my talk at the Windows Azure launch in the Philippines, I decided to take some photos of the crowd at the start. I got to speak to a lot of these individuals during the mixer drinks that evening and it sounds like the Azure platform is starting to gain momentum in Australia.

I really enjoyed the event and hope to be back next year!

Remix10 Slide Deck – Architecting For The Cloud – 1.75Mb

On the 8th June 2010 Brisbane will have its first ever CloudCamp event. I’m very excited about this. I’ve had my head in the Azure space for so long I’ve somewhat neglected what everyone else is doing.

Register for CloudCamp Brisbane here.

About

Here’s the line direct from the website:

CloudCamp is an unconference where early adopters of Cloud Computing technologies exchange ideas. With the rapid change occurring in the industry, we need a place where we can meet to share our experiences, challenges and solutions. At CloudCamp, you are encouraged to share your thoughts in several open discussions, as we strive for the advancement of Cloud Computing. End users, IT professionals and vendors are all encouraged to participate.

And the tentative schedule:

• Registration & Networking
• Welcome and Thank yous
• Lightning Talks (5 minutes each)
• Unpanel
• Begin Unconference (organize the unconference)
• Unconference Session 1
• Unconference Session 2
• Wrap-up
• Networking in conjunction with Zendesk meetup

Location

The event will be held at Griffith University’s Nathan Campus. Three rooms have been allocated to us (for free thanks to the School of Computing and Information Technology)

Click here for a map.

As you can see from the map, the University is right in the middle of Toohey Forest.

Transport

Getting to and from the University is relatively easy. The two main options are driving and buses (there is no train station close by).

Parking will cost. Campus security is very liberal with handing out fines so be prepared to pay for the full time period.

• Griffith Parking
• Parking Map for Nathan

Buses are available from the city or from Garden City shopping centre.

• Translink Journey Planner

Summary

Start prepping your talk ideas and come along. I look forward to meeting anyone else with their head in the clouds. Tell your friends!