Help: Map of the Universe

At Metal Toad our purpose is to help people.  We believe there are many ways to help people, and as professionals one of those ways is to share what we know.  To this end, we've created a map of the universe of all the areas in which we have created documentation.  We've been creating articles since 2008, so there's a lot of areas we've covered.

Agile
Metal Toad goes deep on the practice of Agile.  From XP to Scrum to SAFe we've got all kinds of brain share for you.  Buckle up and do some learning (you'll thank us for it).
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
As a Certified AWS Consulting Partner we are big fans of AWS.  From cost optimizations to whiz-bang features we have drunk the AWS cloud Kool-Aid.  Learn more about the latest and greatest from AWS by reading these articles. Enjoy!
Android
Metal Toad loves working with Android for mobile development. Yes, iOS is great too but we are big fans of Google.  We've cataloged our Android mobile development tips here for your reference.  Enjoy!
AngularJS
We love JavaScript and have worked with A LOT of JavaScript frameworks.  AngularJS no exception.  Learn from our mistakes and successes and become an AngularJS master yourself.  The JavaScript is waiting for you...
Apple/iOS
Apple changed the world with the launch of the iPhone in 2007.  At Metal Toad we've done a lot of mobile development over the year and we've cataloged our iOS learnings here.  Enjoy!
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is coming; simple artificial intelligence is already here.  Sometimes tracked as Machine Learning learn more about how to put AI to work for you!  Working through the ethical implications of AI?  We are too.
Augmented Reality & Virtual Reality (AR/VR)
Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) are near and dear to the Ready-Player-One-loving hearts of the nerds at Metal Toad.  While we may be a ways off from AR/VR changing the way that we live, that hasn't stopped us from making it a theme at a hack-a-thon or two.
AWS Amplify
Learn more about AWS Amplify, one of the fundamental building blocks of an AWS Cloud Native CMS.
AWS AppSync
 AWS AppSync allows creation a flexible API to securely access, manipulate, and combine data from one or more data sources.
AWS CloudFront
Learn more about AWS CloudFront.
AWS CloudWatch
Learn more about AWS CloudWatch.
AWS Comprehend
Learn more about AWS Comprehend.
AWS EC2
Learn more about AWS EC2, Amazon's persistent storage.
AWS Elemental
AWS Elemental (or AWS Media Services) provides one of the most amazing suites of cloud services available today.  Learn all about AWS Elemental right here!
AWS Forecast
AWS Forecast is part of the AWS Machine Learning suite of products.
AWS IAM
AWS IAM is Amazon's Identity and Access Management (IAM) - or single sign on solution.  At Metal Toad all of our devops and deployment processes leverage IAM.
AWS Lambda
AWS Lambda is one of the most transformative AWS services out there.  You can learn more about the application and history on our AWS Lambda services page or browse our Lambda tips and tricks here.  Enjoy!
AWS Media Services
Learn more about AWS Media Services provided by AWS Elemental.
AWS MediaConvert
Part of the expanded universe of AWS Media Services, MediaConvert is a cloud-based transcoder.  From our earliest days in the Entertainment industry, video transcoding has been a hidden (but key) part of video on the web.  The cloud based nature of AWS MediaConvert makes it infinitely easier to use and more affordable.
AWS MediaLive
Ever wish you could create your own live stream via a drone?  With AWS MediaLive this is the tip of the iceberg of possibilities.  The cloud based AWS system replaces the need for hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of equipment for transmission and allows you to buy it, pennies at a time.
AWS Personalize
Learn more about AWS Personalize.
AWS re:Invent
AWS re:Invent is the big annual AWS conference that takes place at the end of every year in Las Vegas.  Every year, Metal Toad attends and tracks the most interesting releases and news coming out of Amazon.  Enjoy!
AWS Rekognition
One of the coolest AWS Services out there, AWS Rekognition does visual object recognition using a machine learning algorithm.  Check out our other top two AWS Machine Learning services as well!
AWS S3
One of the fundamental building blocks of AWS managed services, AWS S3 is their secure storage.
AWS SageMaker
AWS SageMaker is the core of the AWS Machine Learning ecosystem.
AWS Shield
Learn more about AWS Shield.
AWS Snowflake
AWS Snowflake is Amazon's cloud data warehouse.  Learn more!
AWS Transcribe
AWS Transcribe is a voice-to-text engine that is completely cloud-based.  Unlike open source algorithms that perform the same function, cloud-based solutions improve every day as they are used more broadly.
AWS Web Application Firewall (WAF)
The AWS Web Application Firewall (WAF) is a critical element of AWS Security.  Learn how to do it right!
Azure
Even though Metal Toad is an AWS specialist, working in the cloud space we've done a lot of projects on Azure as well.  The following is a catalog of our Azure tips, tricks and other articles.  Enjoy!
Bamboo
Learn more about Bamboo continuous integration.
Business
At Metal Toad we aren't just about technology - we've got business advice too!
Capistrano
Capistrano is a remote server automation and deployment tool written in Ruby.
Career Advice
Over the years Metal Toad has help to launch a lot of careers in tech.  Our CEO and several of our former interns have written down their career advice.
Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)
HTML may make the web go around, but CSS makes it beautiful - and usable.  And Metal Toad is passion about UX and the intersection of technology and design. Smack dab where CSS lands. Learn more from these nerdy posts about the ins and outs of cascading stylesheets.
CI/CD
Continuous integration (CI) and Continuous Deployment (CD) - collectively CICD refers to modern deployment processes that allows for isolation and atomic, streamlined deployment of code.  Read on to learn more!
Community
At Metal Toad we believe in being an active part of our community.  We've documented our engagement over the years.
Content Delivery Network (CDN)
Learn more about the right way to implement a Content Delivery Network (CDN).
Content Management System (CMS)
Successful content management is key to today's enterprise-level digital ecosystem. Finding a content management system (CMS) that is flexible and scalable with growing business needs is vital and, as luck would have it, we have advice on a wide variety of solutions. 
Culture
At Metal Toad we cherish our company culture.  Learn more about what we think is important in building a strong culture.
Data Science
Learn more about data science with our articles on the subject.  Enjoy!
Database
Metal Toad's database experience spans all kinds of systems: from MySQL to Postgres, to NoSQL systems like CouchDB.  We've collected all of our database advice and put it here for your reference.  Enjoy!
Design
At Metal Toad we have a strong history of elevating awareness of the importance of design - an unusual position for technologists.  Based on the design roots of our founder an CEO, creating great experiences is one of our core values.
DevOps
If you already know what devops is, you'll find this list of devops articles extremely useful.  Enjoy!
Diversity & Inclusion
Metal Toad is a strong proponent of diversity & inclusion.  Over the years we have documented our activities and provide help and approaches to help interested companies increase diversity.
Django
Django is a high-level Python web framework - read on to learn more!
Drupal
Metal Toad has been working with Drupal for over a decade.  And over the years we have cataloged a tremendous list of top Drupal tips and tricks for Drupal 7 & Drupal 8.
Drupal 7
If you are still using Drupal 7 you'll find this repository of Drupal articles helpful.  If you are looking for a more curated list you can check out our  all time Top 20 Drupal Tips.  Or perhaps you are looking for Drupal 8 articles only...
Drupal 8
You can find tips specific to Drupal 8 here.  If you are looking for a more curated list you can check out our  all time Top 20 Drupal Tips.
Education
Metal Toad is a strong advocate for education, from our work on Mentorship Saturdays to our CEO's work on public education boards.  Learn more about our take on what makes for a strong education.  You may also want to check out our career advice.
Git Help
Git has transformed how version control has been and Metal Toad has written extensively on how to leverage this powerful tool.  The following list include CI/CD, porting to Git and GitHub specific hacks. Be sure to check out our top 5 Git tips and tricks.
Github
Learn how Metal Toad leverages Github with our top tips and tricks from our blog.
Google
Yes, we know we are an AWS Consulting Partner, but we still love Google! From search to G-Suite to Docs we use Google a lot!  In fact you probably arrived here from Google, so take a load off and get meta!
Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
Learn more about Google Cloud Platform (GCP) one of the best platforms for machine learning.
Hackathon
A huge part of Metal Toad culture is experimentation - and our bi-annual hackathons help to unleash our creativity.  From video streaming, to AR/VR, to IoT and more - may this list of hackathon articles inspire you!
HTML/HTML5
Metal Toad has lots of the experience working with JavaScript and HTML5.  Semantic mark up, browser animations - you name it: our pain is your gain.  We hope these articles will save you some time!
Internet of Things (IoT)
The future of the internet is a connected everything - often summarized as the Internet of Things or IoT.  As technologist Metal Toad has dabbled with all sorts of connected devices (Arduino, cars, etc.) and our catalog of research can be found here.  Enjoy!
Interviews
Metal Toad Interviews Metal Toad has launched a series of cross-industry CIO & CEO interviews, getting their take on the Cloud and the future of tech.  More interviews will be coming this year with Amazon Independent Software Vendors (ISV)s getting their take on where their industry is heading.
Javascript
Metal Toad has done A LOT of JavaScript development over the years (our current favorite framework is ReactJS, but we've worked with AngularJS, Node.js, and more).  Sit down and learn some stuff about JavaScript from us - all for free and at your own pace.  Enjoy!
JQuery
JQuery is one of the many JavaScript systems Metal Toad has worked with over the years.  Our favorite currently is React JS, but you don't always get to choose!  Learn more tips and tricks below.  Enjoy!
Los Angeles
As an AWS Consultancy focused on Media & Entertainment, Metal Toad has a number of people in Los Angeles.  Additionally our CEO is on the Board of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and volunteers on several LA-based non-profit boards.
Machine Learning
Machine Learning, or artificial intelligence is enabled by the cloud.  With all a businesses data in one place there's no limit to the insights that machines can provide to us.
Managed services
As an Advanced AWS Consulting Partner, we've written a thing or two about managed services.  This is a list of all of our help articles on the topic. Please be sure to check out our AWS Managed Services page too!
Media & Entertainment
Metal Toad has been doing work for Media & Entertainment companies like Sony, FOX, Disney, Technicolor - and more - for well over a decade.  Check out our AWS for Media and Entertainment page for more insight!
Mobile Development
Metal Toad has been been building mobile applications for a while and we've found building iPhone and Android can be a lot of fun. Mobile development has significantly more gotchas so we've created a catalog of all of the mobile development tips and tricks we have cataloged over the years, sorted in order with the newest first. Enjoy!
Monitoring & Reporting
How do you know if your code is working properly even when you aren't there?  The answer is setting up the right monitoring and reporting.  There are lots of ways to do this, some of them just plain wrong.  Read how to get it right and what the best tools for the job are.
Node.js
Node.js is one of the many flavors of JavaScript Metal Toad has worked with and documented over the years.  Not to be starting a holy war or anything, but our current favorite is React JS.  Enjoy!
Oracle
While Oracle services are not part of the Metal Toad offering, they represent a huge portion of software deployed in the world.  As Cloud advocates our relationship with Oracle's technology has not always been sympathetic but we don't ignore the impact their technology has on the world.
PHP Help
While not many programmers will cop to loving PHP, it is everywhere - which makes it an important tool to have in the tool belt.  PHP also underpins some of the most common content management systems (Drupal, WordPress, etc).
Portland (PDX)
Did you know Metal Toad is headquartered in Portland, Oregon?  True story.  The locals call Portland PDX (after the airport) when they don't feel like saying a full 8 letters.  Plus it helps us to avoid be confused with the other Portland...
Product Management
At Metal Toad Product Management is a serious area of practice. Sometimes referred to as Product Ownership within the Agile Scrum methodology, preserving the iron triangle while delivering what customers need takes time, attention and skill.
Project Management (PM)
Learn more about Metal Toad's approach to Project Management - Agile or otherwise we've learned a lot over the years and we are more than happy to share.  Enjoy!
Puppet
Metal Toad loves configuration management, and our favorite system (by far) is Puppet.  We love Puppet so much that we are a Gold Partner and we built their website back several years back (true story).  Learn more about the ins-and-outs of configuration management with us.  Enjoy!
Python
Is there any language more fun than Python?  We don't think so and neither does xkcd.  Learn the ins and outs of programming in Python from Metal Toad's repository of Python articles.  You will thank us!
Quality Assurance (QA)
Quality Assurance (QA) is at the heart of code quality; without good best practices in this area bugs in your live environment are a constant issue.  Metal Toad is passionate about code quality and sharing out what we have learned about the art and science of QA.
React JS
Metal Toad has a LOT of xp when it comes to JavaScript and our current favorite is React, handsdown.  We've done plenty of work with AngularJS, Node.js, and more but React is our strong recommendation.  Learn at your own pace and check out this totally awesome JavaScript framework for yourself!
Responsive Web Design
The right way to do mobile development is to use the same content and adjusted to the screen size.  This is called responsive web design.  Learn more about this technique here.  Enjoy!
Ruby Help
Ruby is an elegant programming language, capable of some meta recursive programming that few other languages are capable of. Enjoy the posts!
Scalable Applications
From our work with the Golden Globes, the Emmys, Sony and other Media & Entertainment giants, Metal Toad has had a lot of experience with scalable applications. Learn more about our tips, tricks and war stories from Drupal to React, scalability is critical to application success.
Security
Learn more about Metal Toad's best practices around security by browsing the following articles.  From AWS to Drupal we've got configuration and code covered.
The Cloud
As an AWS Consulting Partner, Metal Toad has posted a lot about the Cloud!  Despite our specialization in AWS we've done work with all the major providers: GCP & Azure.  Enjoy!
The Toadcast
Now a relic of the past, the Metal Toad Podcast (the Toadcast) was a long running series of interviews and reflections on culture and technology.
User Experience/User Interface (UX/UI)
Metal Toad is passionate about User Experience - and about sharing what we know. Learn more about the ins-and-outs of UX and UI here.  
Video
Learn more about video on the web - streaming, OTT, VOD, or specific AWS Media Services - and how to implement them technically!
WordPress
Over the years at Metal Toad we've done a lot of WordPress development (along with other CMS). This is a catalog of all of our WordPress development tips you may find useful. Enjoy!

Need more tips and tricks? Check out our Top 5 Git Tips & Tricks, Top 20 Drupal Tips, Top 10 React JS Tips, learn more about AWS Machine Learning, AWS Lambda, or check out Metal Toad's AWS Managed Services offering.

Have questions?