SYS-CON's Cloud Computing Journal, founded in July 2008 as the world's first publication devoted exclusively to the multiple issues involved in the delivery of massively scalable IT resources as a service using Internet technologies, has announced the appointment of Cloud Computing expert Alan Williamson as Editor-in-Chief.

Williamson, widely recognized as an early Cloud expert, is a Sun Java Champion and creator of OpenBlueDragon (an open source Java CFML runtime engine). With many books, articles and speaking engagements under his belt, Williamson was also the natural choice as Instructor of SYS-CON's upcoming "Cloud Computing Bootcamp" in November (San Jose, CA).

The all-new Cloud Computing Journal is the latest in a series of leading-edge additions to SYS-CON's 25-plus stable of online and print publications such as Virtualization Journal, Web 2.0 Journal, AJAX & RIA Journal, Open Web Developer's Journal, and iPhone Developer's Journal.

Other market-leading SYS-CON titles include Java Developer's Journal, SOAWorld Magazine, .NET Developer's Journal, PowerBuilder Journal, Flex Developer's Journal, Open Source Magazine, ColdFusion Developer's Journal, Eclipse Developer's Journal, Search Journal, XML Journal, and Silverlight Developer's Journal.

Why is cloud computing important? Because potentially the notion of massively scalable IT resources delivered as a service impacts every aspect of how IT deploys and operates software in the future.

To date the market has been driven largely by marketing and service offerings from big corporate players like Google, IBM, Amazon and SalesForce.com, but there's also a whole new wave of companies competing for a share of The Cloud.

"The articles, features, industry analysis, commentaries, and product reviews published in Cloud Computing Journal reflect how the convergence of the Grid, Virtualization and SOA concepts enables the business implementation of Cloud Computing for utility and SaaS services," notes Jeremy Geelan, Sr. VP of Editorial & Events, SYS-CON Media.

The crossover between Cloud Computing and Virtualization, Geelan adds, is especially fertile territory. "As Wikipedia explains, the architecture behind cloud computing is a massive network of 'cloud servers' interconnected as if in a grid running in parallel, and virtualization can very often be used to maximize the utilization of the computing power available per server."

"Alan Williamson, who has also served as Editor-in-Chief of Java Developer's Journal in the past, as well as spearheading SYS-CON's Linux coverage, is the perfect pick as leader of what is our fastest-growing publication ever," continued Geelan. "He likes to talk and write passionately about what can be done today and not get caught up in the marketing hype of tomorrow. This is the perfect approach for Cloud Computing Journal. He is a master at winnowing the goose feathers from the giblets and we are very excited to have him on board."

Typical articles already published include:

Exclusive Q&A with Simon Crosby, CTO of Citrix
by Jeremy Geelan

Is the Cloud There Yet? A Brief History
by Paul Wallis

Cloud Computing and the "Cloud Dining" Analogy
by Omar Sultan

The Three Levels of Cloud Computing - Applications, Platforms, Infrastructure
by Thorsten von Eicken

Cloud Computing Casts Shadow on Walled Gardens
by Billy Marshall

Cloud Computing and Understanding "Clouded" Terms
by Michael Sheehan

Do You Really Want Your Data in the Cloud?
by Don Dodge

I Want To Have My Cake and Eat It Too
by Alan Shimel

Cloud Computing - Morgan Stanley is Banking on the Cloud
by Reuven Cohen

Cloud Computing: It's the Future of Enterprise IT
by Sam Charrington

"Cloud Computing Journal aims to help open the eyes of Enterprise IT professionals to the economics and strategies that utility/cloud computing provides," explains Carmen Gonzalez, President & COO of SYS-CON Media.

"Along with our upcoming Cloud Computing Expo (November 19-21, 2008) Cloud Computing Journal offers the undisputed best platform to position your company as a leading vendor in the fast-emerging SaaS / PaaS / IaaS marketplace that Cloud Computing has helped to ignite," continues Gonzalez.

Cloud Computing Journal is also the premier media sponsor of Cloud Computing Expo, which is being held in The Fairmont Hotel, San Jose, CA, in conjunction with the 4th International Virtualization Conference & Expo.