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December 28, 2007
Interesting EC2/S3 Tools
A couple of interesting tools I've run across for EC2 and S3
EC2 Firefox extension - allows you to manage your EC2 instances in Firefox including:
- List available AMIs
- List your running instances
- Launch new instances of an AMI
- Manage security groups and launch permissions associated with your instances
AWSZone.com - EC2/S3 (entire, or almost the entire AWS platform actually). Very cool way to query AWS APIs via a web UI
Posted by davehod at 05:51 PM | Comments (0)
December 18, 2007
GOOG and the Cloud
Two interesting articles about Google and their efforts to bring cloud computing to the fore
NYT - "Google Gets Ready to Rumble With Microsoft"
BusinessWeek - "Google and the Wisdom of Clouds"
Throw Amazon's efforts (EC2, S3) into the mix and this space is going to get really interesting. From my perspective, I'd be really happy if the next company I start can use cloud resources instead of having to build out physical infrastructure.
Tags: Amazon, cloud computing, Google
Posted by davehod at 11:10 AM | Comments (0)
December 12, 2007
The Future Is Unwritten
Somehow I missed it, but Julien Temple put together a documentary about the life of Joe Strummer entitled "Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten". Shown at the Sundance Film Festival, it looks to be released on DVD soon (Netflix shows an unknown release date and Amazon doesn't have it listed at all)
Strummer was a member of "The Only Band That Matters" and has quite an interesting history, pre and post-Clash. There aren't a ton of (good) books about the Clash so hopefully the DVD will help fill the void.
Thanks to Paul for the tip
Posted by davehod at 07:34 AM | Comments (0)
December 09, 2007
It Might Be Cold In London (But I Wish I Was There)
Unless Page breaks another pinkie, it looks like the gig is on at the O2 Arena. Here's hoping for something better than the last three shows (Live Aid 1985, Atlantic Records 1988 and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1995)
Posted by davehod at 12:06 PM | Comments (0)
December 06, 2007
Let the Skiing Begin
Wow, this is some great news! Now I just need to find my skis...
Posted by davehod at 12:44 PM | Comments (0)
December 03, 2007
California International Marathon (CIM) 2007 - Finisher!
Last Sunday I ran the California International Marathon, starting in Folsom and ending in Sacramento.
LIke most out-of-town participants, I stayed at a downtown hotel, 3 blocks from the finish line. Up at 4:15am, I headed over the host hotel to catch a bus to the starting line. Arriving at the start at 6:15am, I stretched, ate more food and tried to stay warm. At the 7am start, the weather was in the high 40's with a slight headwind of about 7 mph.
The first half went pretty well. I stuck to my pace, finishing in 1:58. One thing to note about this race - it is a net downhill, but there are plenty of hills in the first half. My GPS said it was over 1000 ft of vertical. The second half was a bit tougher though. The wind picked up quite a bit (~20mph) and the temperature dropped. I bonked really hard at Mile 17 - I've never hit the wall that hard, that early. Over the next 5 miles, I drank a ton of fluids and by Mile 22 had climbed the wall. The finish was great; there was a vocal group of people supporting the race. Their cheering helped push me across the finish line.
Overall, here's how the run rates in my book:
Organization - Accurate mile markers, 18 aid stations. My only complaint is that the aid stations weren't laid out in any organized/published fashion (i.e. every 2 miles, etc). Grade: B+
Course - First third of the course somewhat scenic. Grade: B-
Aid-stations - Well staffed and stocked. Grade: A
Swag - Short sleeve, dri-fit shirt. Grade: A
Posted by davehod at 11:31 AM | Comments (0)