The Future of Web Services

Mike Culver, Developer Relations Group of Amazon Web Services

Amazon Web Services

Mon Feb 18 19:30:00 NZDT 2008 in Room 031, Erskine Building

Abstract

What's possible in a post Web 2.0 world? Innovation continues at a mind-bending pace, and this presentation will showcase some thought-provoking new directions that Web Services are headed in (imagine computers programmatically calling people to perform tasks), as well as introduce a concept known as "Web Scale Computing". The presentation will also provide an overview of Amazon Web Services, and feature a demonstration showing how to set up Amazon EC2. More importantly, it's an opportunity for an interactive discussion about what the future, shaped by Web services and Web Scale Computing, looks like.

Amazon spent over 11 years and over $2 billion developing a world-class technology and content platform that powers Amazon web sites for millions of customers. Most people think "Amazon.com" when they hear the word; however developers are excited to learn that there is a separate technology arm of the company, known as Amazon Web Services or AWS. Using AWS, developers can build software applications leveraging the same robust, scalable, and reliable technology that powers Amazon's retail business. AWS has now launched ten services with open API's for developers to build applications, with the result that over 290,000 developers have registered on Amazon's developer site to create applications based on these services.

Biography

Mike Culver joined the Developer Relations Group of Amazon Web Services in May, 2006. He brings with him fifteen years of technology leadership experience, including at companies such as Microsoft. In addition Mike has a strong background running an IT organization, with over a decade of experience in the Electrical Wholesale Distribution industry. As a Web Services Evangelist at Amazon, he helps developers take advantage of disruptive technologies that are going to change the way we think about computer applications, and the way that businesses compete.