VSHN.timer #243: Scaling the skies – insights and trends in European Cloud Computing

Welcome to another VSHN.timer! Every week, 5 links related to Kubernetes, OpenShift, CI / CD, and DevOps; all stuff coming out of our own chat system, making us think, laugh, or simply work better.

Cloud computing isn’t just a tool – it’s a backbone of innovation. From powering global enterprises to enabling developers to scale their projects effortlessly, the cloud is redefining what’s possible in technology. Whether it’s the rise of European cloud initiatives like Gaia-X, the expansion of cloud infrastructure across new regions, or the challenges of running a SaaS business single-handedly, the cloud is at the center of it all.

In the articles below, we’ll dive into the latest trends, challenges, and breakthroughs in cloud computing. Let’s turn our focus to European cloud projects first, a topic that has been grossly neglected in the past:

1. Lidl vs. AWS – The age of EuroCloud
   This article discusses Lidl’s effort to challenge AWS with its cloud initiative, part of a broader trend of European companies investing in local cloud infrastructure:
   https://horovits.medium.com/lidl-is-taking-on-aws-the-age-of-eurocloud-b237258e3311
   
2. „Gaia-X is an expensive distraction“
   Gaia-X, the European cloud initiative, was mentioned in the previous text. This critical article argues that it’s a costly and ineffective project, diverting attention from more practical solutions:
   https://berthub.eu/articles/posts/gaia-x-is-an-expensive-distraction
   
3. Exoscale Block Storage now available in Frankfurt
   In addition to the new players, also established European cloud service providers have news to report: Here’s the announcement about the expansion of Exoscale’s block storage services to Frankfurt, boosting cloud infrastructure options in Europe:
   https://changelog.exoscale.com/en/block-storage-now-in-frankfurt
   
4. Forgejo update
   As a software developer, is it important to you where and by whom your code is stored? Wouldn’t a European code collaboration platform based on Open Source software be a tempting offer? Visit codey.ch for more information!
   There is also news about the underlying software Forgejo which recently transitioned from the MIT license to the GNU GPL v3+, solidifying its commitment to Free Software and avoiding the Open Core model seen in other platforms like GitLab and Gitea:
   https://forgejo.org/2024-08-monthly-update
   
5. Running a one-man SaaS for 9 years
   This article offers a deep dive into the personal journey of managing and growing a cloud-based SaaS business single-handedly over nearly a decade. The author Pēteris Caune, a long time Python developer from Valmiera, Latvia, reflects on the unique challenges faced, from technical hurdles to business scalability issues, and shares the strategies that enabled sustained growth and customer satisfaction:
   https://blog.healthchecks.io/2024/07/running-one-man-saas-9-years-in
   

Do you believe European cloud projects like Gaia-X can compete effectively with giants like AWS and Google Cloud? What strategies do you think are crucial for managing and scaling a cloud-based business successfully? Get in touch with us, and see you next week for another edition of VSHN.timer.

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