Over the coming weeks we will be transforming Bitcurrent from a blog into a site that represents more what we do – produce events, content and research.

The first step of this transition is that from now on, all Cloud Computing related blog entries will appear on our new cloud-centric blog.

We call it Rented Metal. Head on over and read about what’s happening at Cloud Connect.

In a few weeks, we’ll hold the inaugural Cloud Connect in Santa Clara, California. It’s actually the continuation of a series of events David Berlind launched around cloud computing, plus a spinoff of last year’s Enterprise Cloud Summit, plus a bunch of new content.

We’re pretty excited, because this is the first time Bitcurrent has helped build an event from scratch (unless you count Bitnorth, that is, but Cloud Connect is a beast of a different magnitude.) There are four days of content, built around three audiences: those who buy and finance cloud decisions; those who build cloud applications, and those who have to run the cloud platforms.

Getting here has been an interesting experience. Here’s what we did, plus an easter egg for reading all the way to the end. [Read more]

Recently, some journalism students from the American University in DC asked if they could interview me about cloud computing. As I wrote back to them, I realized that the discussion was different from what I usually talk about when it comes for clouds. These are journalism students, and they likely have a different view of “cloud computing” from the technobabble we technologists enjoy. It’s also about how schools will use on-demand applications. So I figured I’d re-post the thread here.

One of the biggest things I realized was that “clouds” can mean “elastic, on-demand compute platforms” or just “stuff that runs on the web” depending on who you’re talking to. And while these seem like two separate definitions, ultimately, they’re the same thing.

The Q&A, below the fold.

[Read more]

Techweb — the folks behind Interop — are launching what promises to be the definitive cloud computing conference. It’s called Cloud Connect, and while it’s still half a year away, we’re hard at work on content and scheduling.

There have been lots of cloud-specific events. But as clouds become an IT reality, the industry needs to focus on specific aspects of utility computing: performance, availability, scalability, and security, for example.

Cloud Connect will have tracks for cloud providers, CIOs and architects, developers, and operators. We’ve assembled around 40 experts to help guide the content (affectionately dubbed the Cloud Crowd) and we’ll be announcing more details soon.

After Cloud Connect in Mountain View, Barton George asked me some questions on cloud computing and some 2009 predictions. Here’s the clip; his writeup is available on his blog.

I’d like to compliment Barton on his ability to pick exactly the worst moment in the entire video clip to use as a thumbnail. And yes, I am this dorky looking.

I’m never big on predictions; they’re an easy way to look dumb in retrospect and few people keep score on accuracy after the fact. But it does seem to be a January ritual.