Innovation is a key driving force that has enabled our modern civilization to become what it is today. Innovation has taken us from being simple wandering hunter gatherers and nomadic tribes all the way up to the social, military and economic revolutions that have propelled us to where we are today.
Author Archives: omaruddin
Free Spreadsheet – Rackspace Cloud Infrastructure Hosting Budget Planner
As a web developer and software entrepreneur I often come to rely on Rackspace to support my hosting and infrastructure needs. I’ve also been tweeting and discussing Cloud Computing and it’s benefits.
For the benefit of any nerds, admins, developers, entrepreneurs and CTOs alike, I’ve put together this Google Spread Sheet template to help you forecast your potential hosting budget impact as it relates to your hosting configuration and metered usages. Continue reading
Mind Map : Cloud Computing for Non-Profits
One of the most common tools we use is visualization and specifically concept mapping and mind Mapping. Recently I was asked to be a guest for #nptalk to chat about Cloud Computing for Non-profits. For the benefit of non-profit leaders and to further my evangelism for non-profits and #nptech, I decided to share this mind map on the very same subject.
This particular mind map may not make sense to every #nptech person out there, regardless I hope you will find it useful.
If you would like any help or advice on cloud computing for your non-profit or business including government, I’d be happy to help, just reach out to me through the blog or contact form.
I plan to release more mind maps on variety of topics for the benefit of interested audiences. I also welcome your feedback and suggestions on mind maps you’d like to see or consider for discussion.
Here’s a PDF Download :
Mind Map : Cloud Computing for Non-profits by Omar_Uddin
UVision Founder speaks about volunteerism and social media at #140conf in DC
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Omar Uddin, Founder of UVision Consulting, was invited by Jeff Pulver, host of #140conf, Co-Founder of Vonage one of the most important pioneers of VOIP, to talk about social activism, volunteerism and how social media drives change through the world during his presentation at the #140conf in DC on Thursday, June 17th, 2010. 
Since the launch of the #140conf events, conferences have taken place in: New York City, Los Angeles, London and Tel Aviv. At these events the “charachters” of 140conf experience have explored the effects of Twitter on a wide range of topics including: Celebrity, “The Media”, Advertising, Politics, Fashion, Real Estate, Music, Education, Social Change, Public Safety and Public Diplomacy.
The #140conf events provide a platform for the worldwide twitter community to: listen, connect, share and engage with each other, while collectively exploring the effects of the emerging real-time internet on business. The schedule is always unique and fast paced. It is intended to provide a platform for as many people as possible to share their thoughts and engage in conversation with the attending delegates. With most individual talks set to: 10 minutes; “Featured talks” 15 and the various panel discussions are set for 15 and 20 minutes. The take aways from this event will provide the attending delegates knowledge, perspectives and insights to the effects the real-time internet will have on both “we” the people, business and society.
The event was streamed live on UStream.
Photos Courtesy of Erin M via Flickr.
UVision Founder Interviewed by DedicatedHosting.com at SXSW
After the launch of VolunteerACT.com at SXSW in 2010, Alan Weinkrantz, Technology Blogger working with DedicatedHosting.com asked to interview Omar Uddin, UVision Founder via Skype. Check it out.
View the original post.
Multiple Domains or sites on a single WordPress mu instance at Rackspace Cloud Sites – when no wildcard needed
After talking to my friends Robert La Gesse from Rackspace Cloud and @vidluther from ThirdPartyCode, I decided messing with domain alias feature of Rackspace Cloud Sites so I could save money from getting a Cloud Server, VPS or slicehost.
If you need to run multiple-separate domains and one base master WordPress template theme with multiple children themes (like what I needed was a product site, 2 blogs, a community and a corporate site) without the need for wildcard subdomains or subfolders per blog/site then running a single instance of code and database on Rackspace Cloud Sites is possible using their domain alias feature.
I recommend you follow these steps to setup WordPress MU:
- Download and install WPMU Multi-Site Plugin
- Setup your different domains, sites blogs locally with the help of this plugin on your dev installation and get everything working the way you want like content, themes, plugins etc.
- Deploy to the core or ‘first’ site as you would normally do to the Rackspace Cloud Site
- Test to see if this core site is working
Then follow these steps to setup the other Rackspace Cloud Sites & DNS:
- Setup the actual core domain in DNS to point to the matching Cloud Site IP that should have an appropriate database for the instance
- Deploy the local developer instance files and database to this core domain
- Setup domain aliases with the help of this Help guide at Rackspace Cloud support
- Test that wordpress mu is serving the core and new alias domains that you have set up in the multi-site configuration
It’s that easy and I was pleasantly surprised when it was working so easily in addition to not having to get a server or other dedicated vm/box for running WPMU in this way!
WCF / .NET 3.5 on the Rackspace Cloud
For those of you folks who are considering a cloud hosting solution for your ASP.NET web apps with or without WCF services, I strongly recommend you test out Rackspace Cloud.
I had some trouble getting things working but found an excellent article that should help you .NET developers looking to use Rackspace Cloud Sites as solution to host your ASP.NET web sites, web apps or WCF services.
Since cloud hosting has different conditions for security and reliability, there are some other considerations that you should check out at the Help support area of the Rackspace Cloud:
Cheers to the folks at Rackspace Cloud! PS When can I expect Cloud Servers to run Windows in a vm 
?
UVision Accepts Environmental Partnership Award from White House
Omar Uddin, Founder of UVision, is proud to announce the acceptance of the “Coastal America 2007 Partnership Award”, presented by President George W. Bush to partners of the “Thank You Ocean” campaign on Jan 22, 2008. Founded in 1991 by former President George H.W. Bush, The Coastal America Partnership established the Coastal America Partnership Awards Program to recognize outstanding team efforts to restore and protect the coastal environment. Mr. Uddin said “We are excited for the opportunity to participate in this campaign to help protect and raise awareness of the coastal treasures of the United States.”
UVision would like to congratulate all members of the California “Thank You Ocean” campaign in winning the Coastal America 2007 Partnership Award and for their continued work to restore and protect our Nation’s coastal environment.
In a letter to the campaign partners, President George W. Bush wrote, “My Administration remains committed to protecting our coastal environment, and we are proud to work with State and local governments, the private sector, and non-profit organizations to ensure the effective conservation of our national treasures. Your dedicated efforts help keep America beautiful for future generations and build a cleaner, safer, and healthier environment for people everywhere.”
About ThankYouOcean.org
“Thank You Ocean”, also known as the California Public Ocean Awareness Campaign, is a statewide campaign organized by NOAA National Marine Sanctuary Program and the State of California Resources Agency. With over 200 communications professionals in ocean-related organizations, agencies and businesses, the team works together to “create a strong voice for the ocean in California.” The project used sophisticated marketing strategies and tools to deliver a contemporary approach to our environmental problems, from the elegant graphics of its signature logo and billboards, to the high impact imagery of the PSAs. “Thank You Ocean” created a coordinated, polished message designed to instill a sense of personal connection and responsibility for our ocean and coast.
Starting June 2007, UVision has been a technology partner of the campaign and is responsible for managing web development and operation of it’s web platform.