
Is PaaS Tech Still Around? Maybe Containers Will Kill it or Bring it?
Recently a post from @Gigabarb popped up on the ole’ Twitter that started a micro-storm of twitter responses. Ok tech users. Who out there is using a PaaS? For realz. Serious question.— Barb Darrow (@gigabarb) November 21, 2013 This got me thinking about a number of things and I started to write her an email […]

When things go wrong with Windows Azure
When things go wrong with Windows Azure I recently started with Windows Azure, and really tried to start digging into it today. Unfortunately, everything went wrong. Windows Azure is turning into one stubborn system to get to do much with. It all started with trying to redeem my coupon code for a free three month […]

Microsoft’s Cloud OS Play–A Logical Converged Cloud Offering
A week or two ago, Microsoft made a slew of announcements all aimed at creating a consistent story around hybrid cloud services. It’s a compelling product launch, and one which, frankly, takes Microsoft which was only a year or two ago one of the key whipping boys for the cloud cognoscenti, to a place of […]

The Best PaaS is one that is Being Used
Often I hear that the enterprise is “starting to warm up to PaaS” spoken as though adoption in the enterprise is purely a function of the customer’s readiness. Obviously an enterprise must adjust its IT world view in order to truly embrace PaaS. PaaS is at least as much a cultural change as it is […]

Day #2 => Cloud Expo, A Few Pictures & Associated Thoughts
This first one is of Effective UI a company out of Denver, Colorado. You’re probably asking yourself, why are they at a cloud conference? I asked the same question and they brought up a really good point. Most cloud computing interfaces are horrible. I have to agree, most are or at least have been pretty […]

Nurturing the market for Data Markets
From Microsoft’s Azure Data Marketplace to the eponymous DataMarket, or InfoChimps, Factual, and Kasabi, there’s resurgent interest in the venerable business of collecting, curating, and commercialising data created by others. But despite investment and innovation, there isn’t yet the matching evidence for much use or — even — interest amongst prospective customers. In principle, at least, these data markets […]

Following Good Practice, The Negative Bits About Windows Azure First, But Gems Included! :D
Ok, I’ve used Windows Azure steadily over the last year and a half. I’ve fought with the SDK so much that I stopped using it. I decided I’d put together this recap of what has driven me crazy and then put together something about the parts that I really like, the awesome bits, the parts […]

Fujitsu Launches Their Platform Using Windows Azure Appliance
Fujitsu (previous CloudAve coverage), the Asian giant starting to focus on cloud computing, yesterday announced the launch of Global Cloud Platform powered by Windows Azure (previous CloudAve coverage). This is important not just from the Fujitsu point of view but also from Microsoft’s point of view. This is the first official production release of the […]

Microsoft Showcases Toyota As A Big Azure Win
Ever since Azure was released to public, Microsoft has been trying hard to showcase adoption trends. In spite of their best efforts, they couldn’t slow down the momentum Amazon Web Services has in the cloud services space. Even though they highlighted some customers during last PDC, pundits are skeptical about the kind of impact Azure […]

Git Rid of Windows Azure and Amazon Web Services (AWS) SDKs with .NET + Git + AppHarbor Deployment Revolution
I’ve been wanting to do a quick write up on the state of cloud apps from my perspective. What’s my perspective? Well I’m keeping up with the SDKs from the big players; AWS and Windows Azure. I’m also working on several cloud applications and providing consulting for some people and companies when approached related to […]

A Short Introduction to Windows Azure AppFabric
Windows Azure AppFabric is arguably the main feature set that truly sets Windows Azure apart from any cloud services on the market today. The AppFabric allows cloud users to hookup on-premises services to their cloud services, to secure cloud & on-premises services with new or existing security frameworks (identity based, active directory, or otherwise), cache […]

Windows Azure SDK Unit Testing Dilemma — F5DD Plz K Thx Bye
I’m a huge advocate for high quality code. I will admit I don’t always get to write, or am always able to write high quality code. But day in and out I make my best effort at figuring out the best way to write solid, high quality, easy to maintain, easy to read code. Over […]

Gritty Technical Info on Windows Azure Web Roles
This is a follow up to the previous blog entry I wrote pertaining to Windows Azure Roles. I wanted to cover the bases on the various technical aspects of creating a Windows Azure Web Role & Worker Role in Visual Studio 2010. Without interruption let’s just dive right in. Start Visual Studio 2010 and initiate a new […]

Windows Azure Web, Worker, and CGI Roles – How They Work
This is a write up I’ve put together of how the roles in Windows Azure work. As far as I know, this is all correct – but if there are any Windows Azure Team Members out there that wouldn’t mind providing some feedback about specifics or adding to the details I have here – please […]