One of the biggest hurdles we all face for trying new software or utilities is the lack of a sandbox, a machine we can just use when we want to without having to worry if something goes wrong.

This is particularly true for new open-source technologies, like the fast-growing field of open source GIS software. Sure, it would be great to try out OpenLayers or other mapping utilities, but it's not like we can just turn our main computer into a development box overnight.

Luckily, this problem has been worked out for us. In the past week, I've seen two examples of custom-created AMIs - machine images - on Amazon's EC2 service that could be used by journalists for analysis and mapping purposes.

The first is called machetEC2 and is built by the folks at infochimps.org to conduct data analysis of large data sets. As such, it comes with a bunch of useful software already loaded, including the R statistical package, database servers and utilities in Python and Ruby to help pull everything together.

The second, and perhaps more interesting for IRE and NICAR, is Maps From Scratch, an open source mapping presentation given at an annual tech conference. It was a hands-on session, but the twist is that the planners had pre-built custom EC2 instances for the students to use. They've now released that AMI, so anyone can use it to try out Mapnik, TileCache and other new mapping technologies.

If you haven't given EC2 a try because the idea of starting out with a blank slate and a blinking cursor doesn't appeal to you, then you may want to try out these pre-built machine images. It may also be a way for IRE to reduce computer rental costs at conferences and training sessions.