Adding the as_* methods as requested in #230

NOTES/POSSIBLE ISSUES:
  - the test is calling ::2 directly rather then latest.
    I was unsure on the going convention for a version specific change
  - I am not using alias to build the aliases.
    It seemed a bit heavy handed so I am using the old-style delegation.
Merge pull request #234 from notbenh/issue/230

Adding the as_* methods as requested in #230