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AWS launches Blox, a collection of open source tools for the EC2 Container Service

With its EC2 Container Service (ECS), Amazon has long offered support for software containers on its AWS cloud computing platform. Today, at its re:Invent developer conference, the company announced a number of updates to how it supports containers, which are quickly becoming the go-to way to operate distributed applications. Soon, for example, the EC2 container service will become far… Read More

from Amazon – TechCrunch https://techcrunch.com/2016/12/01/aws-launches-blox-a-collection-of-open-source-tools-for-the-ec2-container-service/?ncid=rss

AWS lets developers execute Lambda functions on edge locations with Lambda@Edge

Today, Amazon said it was rolling out a tool called Lambda@Edge, that allows developers to execute Lambda functions at edge locations on a content delivery network, cutting down the time needed to make a process. With Lambda@Edge, developers can do processing at the edge locations without having to go back to the original source. These functions are able to inspect HTTP requests and take… Read More

from Amazon – TechCrunch https://techcrunch.com/2016/12/01/aws-lets-developers-execute-lambda-functions-on-edge-locations-with-lambaedge/?ncid=rss

Amazon Channels adds HBO and Cinemax

It’s getting a lot easier to live outside the loving embrace of a cable or satellite TV subscription – Amazon just added HBO and Cinemax to its Amazon Channels selection of add-on packs for Prime video members. HBO is an additional $14.99 per month, and Cinemax is $9.99 monthly, with both offering 30-day free trials. Amazon Channels offers over 70 additional add-on packs for… Read More

from Amazon – TechCrunch https://techcrunch.com/2016/12/01/amazon-prime-channels-adds-hbo-and-cinemax/?ncid=rss

Amazon will truck your massive piles of data to the cloud with an 18-wheeler

Meet AWS Snowmobile, a tractor-trailer for when your big data is just too damn big. The truck houses a container that can store up to 100 petabytes of data. Real-life data hoarders can contract Amazon to move exabytes of data to the cloud using the new tricked-out trucks. Snowmobile attaches directly to your data center with power and network fibre to move critical information to AWS,… Read More

from Amazon – TechCrunch https://techcrunch.com/2016/11/30/amazon-will-truck-your-massive-piles-of-data-to-the-cloud-with-an-18-wheeler/?ncid=rss

AWS launches Shield to protect web applications from DDoS attacks

At its re:Invent developer conference, Amazon today announced AWS Shield, a DDoS protection service for web apps that run on Amazon’s cloud computing service. AWS Shield is generally available today and is already turned on (for free) for all web applications that current run on AWS — no action by the developer required. The service is based on the work Amazon has done with its… Read More

from Amazon – TechCrunch https://techcrunch.com/2016/12/01/aws-launches-shield-to-protect-web-applications-from-ddos-attacks/?ncid=rss

AWS X-Ray gives developers a way to look into every little operation in their applications

Amazon today is rolling out a tool to help developers dive deep into their existing applications to diagnose each element of the application’s processes in order to get a full snapshot of how an application is performing. Called X-Ray, developers can use the tool to dive into individual processes in order to identify bottlenecks or see individual performance of functions within an app.… Read More

from Amazon – TechCrunch https://techcrunch.com/2016/12/01/aws-x-ray-gives-developers-a-way-to-look-into-every-little-operation-in-their-applications/?ncid=rss

Which kind of truth?

Organic chemistry doesn't care if you believe in it. Neither does the War of 1812.

Truth is real, it's measurable and it happened. Truth is not in the eye of the beholder.

There are facts that don't change if the observer doesn't believe: The age of the Eiffel Tower. The temperature in Death Valley. The number of people in the elevator.

On the other hand, there are outcomes that vary quite a bit if we believe: The results of the next sales call. Our response to medical treatment. The enjoyment of music...

If you believe that this wine tastes better than that one, it probably will. If you believe you're going to have a great day at work, it will surely help. Placebos work.

We make two mistakes, all the time. First, we believe that some things are facts (as in true), when in fact, belief has a huge effect on what's going to happen. In the contest between nature and nurture, nurture has far more power than we give it credit for. In countless ways, our friends and parents matter more than our genes do.

At the same time, sometimes we get carried away. We work to amplify our beliefs by willfully confusing ourselves about whether the truth is flexible. It makes belief a lot more compelling (but a lot less useful) if we start to confuse it with truth.

But belief is too important and too powerful to be a suspect compatriot of the scientific/historical sort of truth.

We can believe because it gives us joy and strength and the ability to do amazing things. That's enough.