Talking Postgres with Claire Giordano Becoming expert at using PostgreSQL with Chris Ellis
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Apr 5, 2024 
Chris Ellis, Head of Engineering at Next Team, shares his 18 years of PostgreSQL expertise and his unconventional learning style that flourished in coffee shops instead of libraries. He reflects on his journey from early programming with QBASIC to becoming a respected conference speaker and organizer. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community involvement, practical experiences over formal education, and the transformative nature of effective database design. The hosts also discuss the thrill of upcoming events and the value of creativity in presentations.
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Chris's Early Coding Journey
- Chris Ellis started programming with QBASIC on a 486 at age five or six, nurtured by scientifically minded parents.
- He learned Linux by age 12, ran DNS servers, and progressed to Perl and PostgreSQL by 17, blending self-taught skills with university work.
Learn from Mailing Lists
- Consume mailing list content as a knowledge source before actively participating.
- Reading through detailed discussions, like on Postgres hackers list, helps deepen understanding, even without posting.
Education Isn't Prerequisite
- Formal education isn't a prerequisite for success in tech; practical application matters more than theory.
- Postgres expertise often comes from using features effectively rather than deep theoretical knowledge.
