As mentioned earlier, I gave an introductory, overview talk on cloud computing earlier this week to the Austin Cloud User Group. I managed to make a recording of the talk, and in place of John and I figuring out when to record a real episode, I bring you, dear listeners, that talk. For long time listeners, it may be worth skipping: it brings together several points from past talks on this topic, but it is the first time I’m put together “everything” into one talk. As such, it stands a good overview of what cloud computing from the angle of “why should I care?” and, more importantly, “what can I do with it?”

Download the episode directly right here, subscribe to the feed in iTunes or other podcatcher to have episodes downloaded automatically, or just click play below to listen to it right here:

You can check out the slides in my previous post on the topic.

The Austin Cloud User’s Group is starting off nicely. I’d love to see people come in and talk about their first-hand experience using the cloud, as well as more technological overviews. The next talk will be about security in the cloud, and then some Rackspace OpenStack folks will come in to talk about OpenStack. It’s also a great, cheap sponsorship opportunity – just buy pizza and drinks and you get sponsorship which means a 5 minute speaking slot at the beginning of the meeting. It looks like they’ll be recording and publishing these meeting on the web so they should get some nice reach and permanency for those who can’t show up to the meeting.

Disclosure: Rackspace is a client, as are several people mentioned in the talk here. See the RedMonk client list.

Tonight I’m giving the opening presentation for the newly formed Austin Cloud User’s Group. The idea is to provide a base-line for “cloud computing.” With me, that usually means answering the questions “why bother?” and “what can I do with it?”

The EventBrite ticketing is closed, but here’s the details of the meeting tonight nonetheless. Also, while there’s no site for the ACUG, there’s a Google Group to keep up with the ACUG. Also, they use the hashtag #ACUG.

The presentation is embedded above, or see the listing at Slideshare for download options and such.

Disclosure: several companies mentioned int he presentation are RedMonk clients. See the RedMonk client list.