.NET Rocks!

How can a large language model help your organization answer government RFPs? Carl and Richard talk to Vishwas Lele about his startup pWin, as in proposal win. Vishwas talks about being a year into the startup and his deeper understanding of how AI technologies can augment skilled operators to produce better quality products in less time, including responding to RFPs. The conversation digs into tuning the LLM to focus on the data relevant to each section of the RFP so that the operator can interact with the tool and build better responses!

Elias Puurunen, an innovator in digital event experiences and founder of Tractus Events, dives into integrating audio-video in .NET applications. He explains the benefits of using NDI protocols for real-time streaming and the power of P/Invoke for accessing libraries. The conversation highlights the use of NVIDIA GPUs for swift encoding and decoding, showcasing advancements in video production tools. Elias also emphasizes the evolution of video compression techniques and how modern frameworks enhance performance for live streaming.

In this discussion, Spencer Schneidenbach, a Microsoft MVP and CTO of Aviron Software, shares his expertise on integrating large language models in healthcare applications. He elaborates on using AI to improve customer interactions by summarizing conversations and analyzing sentiments. The chat touches on Microsoft's Semantic Kernel, which simplifies connecting AI to APIs. Additionally, Spencer highlights the balance between creativity and consistency in AI responses, emphasizing the necessity of effective prompting and rigorous testing for successful AI implementations.

Dr. Jodie Burchell, a developer advocate in data science at JetBrains and former lead data scientist at Verve Group Europe, discusses measuring large language models (LLMs). She dives into various benchmarks and the importance of accuracy, reliability, and customization for specific topics. The conversation highlights the challenges in building effective test suites and emphasizes that smaller, targeted models can often outperform larger counterparts. Jodie also explores the complexities of evaluating AI performance with humor and insight.

Martine Dowden, an award-winning CTO and UX/UI expert, dives into the fascinating world of JavaScript promises. She explains the power of async programming, showcasing tools like Callbacks, Promises, and Async/Await. Martine shares intriguing features such as grouping sync calls and the race condition that favors rapid completion. With her insights, developers can navigate the complexities of asynchronous code and enhance user interfaces effectively. Plus, she reveals common pitfalls and offers strategies to manage errors in networking scenarios.

In this discussion, Rob Richardson, a software craftsman and Microsoft MVP, dives into the latest features of .NET Aspire 9.1. He highlights the benefits of OpenTelemetry and the simplicity of developing cloud applications with improved database management. The conversation also tackles the evolution of .NET for cloud deployment, exploring options like Azure Container Apps and Kubernetes. Rob shares insights on retrofitting existing apps and choosing between different containers, making it clear that there’s more than one route to success.

In this conversation with Jimmy Bogard, an independent software consultant and creator of Automapper, listeners dive into the fascinating 17-year journey of this popular open-source library. Jimmy shares the origins of Automapper and its transition from an internal tool to a community staple with hundreds of millions of downloads. The discussion highlights the challenges of maintaining open-source projects, balancing monetization, and the significance of community support in software development. Plus, they touch on the evolving tech landscape and the importance of adaptive coding practices.

Aurora Scharff, a Software Developer and Microsoft MVP from Norway, dives into the exciting release of React 19. She discusses the transition to server components, emphasizing its advantages for new projects and the necessary adaptations for existing apps using React Router. Aurora highlights the critical shift in backend technologies, promoting improved performance and resource management. The conversation also touches on JSX's integration with TypeScript and the evolving landscape of deployment options, making this a must-listen for React enthusiasts.

Jeremy Miller, a seasoned software architect known for his contributions to open-source tools, discusses the benefits of vertical architecture in application development. He emphasizes the importance of quickly delivering functional solutions by focusing on vertical slices rather than getting bogged down by complex designs. The conversation touches on the challenges of collaboration, the risks of shortcuts, and the significance of effective communication within teams to enhance efficiency and creativity. Miller's insights offer a refreshing perspective on streamlining code organization and maintainability.

Francois Tanguay, the founder of the Uno Platform, and Sasha Krsmanovic, CMO focused on community outreach, dive into the revolutionary Hot Design feature. They discuss how it brings Hot Reload to UX across devices, greatly speeding up the development cycle. The duo shares insights on the evolution of the Uno Platform, its integration with MAUI Essentials, and Blazor's capabilities. Listeners will discover how the platform can simplify app creation for developers, especially with its unique features that enhance productivity and efficiency.