Web platforms are now widely available - AppEngine, EC2/S3, Force.com are just a few - which can provide a base for everything from simple Web app dev to highly scalable consumer sites and enterprise apps. With this explosion of platforms how should developers think about using them? How should you evaluate these platforms?
Questions Answered:
What defines a Web platform?
How do AppEngine, EC2 and Force.com compare/contrast?
What kinds of apps are being built on each?
Will Web platforms replace traditional software?
Are these Web platforms proprietary?
What tools do they offer developers?
How can I get started programming in the cloud?
How can I bring parts of them together?
Is anybody making money using these things?
What is the future of Web platforms? Could this be Web 3.0?