For many years, I have wanted to know the truth and facts behind the fabled ‘Egyptian Labyrinth’ and this comprehensive lecture by Prof. Dylan Bickerstaffe did not disappoint!
Beginning with the Greek and Roman writers Dylan explained where the belief in a ‘Labyrinth’ arose; linking it interestingly back to Knossos and other neraby sites and cultures.
These writers were seemingly adamant that The Labyrinth was Egypt’s greatest wonder; as Herodotus said – ‘surpassing even the pyramids’.
However, he posed the questions: if that was the case, what sort of building was it, who built it, and why?
In the modern era, it had vanished so completely that several explorers, including the famous/infamous Belzoni, failed to find it, so there is still so much not known. Being so vast, so comprehensively written about in ancient times, yet almost entirely lost, no wonder it holds so much fascination today.
Dylan went on to trace the ‘rediscovery’ of the Labyrinth, and the excavations and finds made on the site, and the attempts by Petrie and others to reconstruct the form of this unique building.
And that was almost certainly, not a labyrinth at all, but was in fact a 60,000 Sq mtr Temple Complex of Amenemhat lll of the 12th dynasty.
We were shown how modern research has thrown light on the problem, and clues which may be found in surprising, yet familiar places.
Dylan’s talk was comprehensive, detailed and very interesting indeed, however, after raising as many questions as answers, it left me wanting to ‘know yet more of the truth and facts behind the fabled Egyptian Labyrinth’
Thanks Dylan, it was a terrific lecture – please come again!
Review: Top 10 Cloud Services in the USA
Cloud computing has transformed how businesses operate, offering scalable, secure, and cost-effective solutions for storage, computing, and application management. The U.S. leads the global cloud market, with providers delivering innovative services tailored to startups, enterprises, and everything in between. Below is a comprehensive review of the top 10 cloud service providers in the USA for 2025, based on market share, service offerings, and customer feedback.
Amazon Web Services (AWS)AWS dominates with a 31% global market share, generating $24.2 billion in Q4 2023 revenue. It offers over 200 services, including compute (EC2), storage (S3), AI (SageMaker), and analytics. AWS’s 33 regions and 105 availability zones ensure low latency and high reliability. Its pay-as-you-go pricing starts at ~$0.0832/hour for a t3.large instance (2 vCPUs, 8GB RAM). Ideal for businesses needing scalability and cutting-edge AI tools.
Microsoft AzureAzure holds a 24% market share and is the fastest-growing major provider, with 30% revenue growth in 2023. It offers 200+ services, including IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS, with strengths in AI, IoT, and enterprise integration. Azure’s pricing for a 2 vCPU, 8GB RAM instance (D2s v3) starts at ~$0.096/hour. Its hybrid cloud solutions and Microsoft ecosystem make it a top choice for enterprises.
Google Cloud Platform (GCP)GCP, with an 11.5% market share, excels in AI, machine learning (TensorFlow, BigQuery), and data analytics. It offers 150+ services across 24 regions and 73 zones. Pricing for an e2-standard-2 instance (2 vCPUs, 8GB RAM) starts at ~$0.070/hour, with up to 57% discounts for committed use. GCP is favored by data-driven businesses and developers.
IBM CloudIBM Cloud provides IaaS, PaaS, and SaaS with a focus on enterprise-grade security, AI (Watson), and hybrid/multi-cloud deployments. It serves industries like healthcare and finance, offering 170+ services. Pricing varies, but its pay-as-you-go model is competitive. IBM’s strong partner ecosystem and AIOps solutions enhance business transformation.
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure (OCI)Oracle Cloud is gaining traction with its high-performance computing and database services. It offers cost-effective pricing, with a free tier and discounts for committed use. OCI’s focus on enterprise applications, like ERP and CRM, makes it ideal for large organizations. Its global network includes 40+ regions.
DigitalOceanDigitalOcean targets startups and developers with simple, affordable cloud hosting. Plans start at $2.50/month for 0.5GB RAM, 10GB storage, and 1 vCPU. Its managed databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL) and monitoring tools ensure reliability. DigitalOcean’s free credits and Hatch program support early-stage businesses.
VMware CloudVMware, now under Broadcom, specializes in multi-cloud and hybrid cloud solutions. It supports AWS, Azure, and GCP, offering consistent management across environments. VMware’s virtualization expertise and low-cost migration tools make it a top pick for enterprises modernizing data centers.
SalesforceSalesforce focuses on cloud-based CRM and customer service solutions. Its Service Cloud automates workflows and integrates with AI for personalized customer experiences. With 1.5 million users, it’s a leader for businesses prioritizing customer engagement. Pricing is subscription-based, tailored to business size.
CloudflareCloudflare is a CDN and security-focused provider, offering DDoS protection, DNS, and content delivery. Its user-friendly interface and integrations with WordPress and Shopify appeal to businesses needing fast, secure web performance. Pricing includes a free tier and pay-as-you-go plans.
Linode (Akamai) Linode, acquired by Akamai, offers developer-friendly cloud hosting with transparent pricing and a free tier. It integrates with Akamai’s CDN for enhanced performance. Plans start at $5/month for 1GB RAM, 25GB storage, and 1 vCPU. Linode is ideal for SMBs and tech-savvy users.
Choosing the Right Provider
Selecting a cloud provider depends on your needs: AWS, Azure, and GCP dominate for scalability and enterprise solutions; DigitalOcean and Linode cater to startups; Salesforce excels in CRM; and Cloudflare prioritizes web performance. Compare pricing, scalability, and security features. Check reviews on platforms like Gartner or Forbes Cloud 100 for insights. As cloud spending grows (projected at $591.8 billion in 2023), ensure your choice aligns with long-term goals.
