GOTO - The Brightest Minds in Tech

In this engaging conversation, Piotr Sarna, a distributed systems engineer and co-author of *Writing for Developers*, shares his journey from a hesitant writer to a respected author. He discusses the nuances of writing as an engineering discipline, including how to balance technical depth with readability. Piotr emphasizes the value of sharing even 'obvious' content and reveals effective patterns for blog topics. With insights on the importance of ruthlessly editing and how technical writing can enhance careers, this talk is a goldmine for aspiring writers in tech.

Michael Nygard, General Manager of Data at Nubank and author of Release It!, teams up with Dave Farley, a pioneer of DevOps and founder of Continuous Delivery Ltd. They dive into how data challenges are often overlooked in DevOps, the modularity of data products compared to APIs, and the intricacies of automatic ETL strategies. They discuss the need for stable abstract interfaces in platform engineering and the balance between universal design and practical limitations. Their insights highlight the evolution of software practices and the complexities of modern software development.

In this engaging discussion, Matt McLarty, CTO at Boomi and co-author of 'Unbundling the Enterprise,' joins Erik Wilde to delve into platform engineering's blind spots. They explore the evolution from DevOps and argue for a shift towards business-focused APIs that drive real innovation. Matt warns against overly generic approaches and emphasizes the need for flexibility and reusable tech components. Furthermore, they caution against blindly following Amazon's model, stressing the importance of aligning platforms with actual business outcomes for success.

Join Martin Fowler, a pioneer in agile development and author, alongside James Lewis, a software architect at Thoughtworks. They dive into the early days of agile, discussing pivotal projects like the Chrysler payroll and the impact of extreme programming. Fowler highlights the evolution of design, advocating that it thrives on testing and refactoring rather than being 'dead.' They also explore the importance of embedding business experts with development teams and how generative AI can aid in legacy system analysis while warning against misconceptions.

Ashley Peacock, a Staff Software Engineer at Simply Business and author, joins Ricky Robinett to discuss the evolution of Cloudflare from a security service to a robust developer platform. They explore unique features like global deployment, resource bindings, and a stellar local development experience. Ashley highlights Cloudflare’s innovative products, including serverless functions and various storage solutions. The duo also delves into the power of AI tools in development, showcasing an email-based AI support agent as a practical example.

In this engaging discussion, Sy Brand, a C++ developer advocate at Microsoft and author, shares his expertise on debugger construction. He highlights the complexities of core debugging tasks like stack unwinding and the evolution of debugging tools across platforms. The conversation dives into the challenges of maintaining backward compatibility and the intricacies involved in language design, along with exciting advancements like time travel debugging for non-deterministic issues. Tune in for insights that blend technical depth with practical advice!

Steve Pereira, co-author of 'Flow Engineering' and Principal Consultant at Visible Flow Consulting, teams up with Andrew Davis, founder of the Institute for Transformational Leadership, to discuss enhancing workflow visibility in software development. They share insights on value stream mapping's adaptation to digital work and introduce a five-map framework for boosting team collaboration. The duo underscores the importance of visual communication in overcoming invisible barriers and explores the evolving role of AI in shaping the future of workflow management.

Russ Miles, an Author and Chaos Engineering Practitioner, joins Consultant and Keynote Speaker Kevlin Henney for a thought-provoking dialogue. They explore the intricate relationship between platform engineering and user feedback, cautioning against the pitfalls of letting external requests dictate design. Emphasizing the human aspect, they discuss how effective communication and trust foster innovation. Both reflect on personal career fulfillment, highlighting the need for purpose and self-awareness to combat burnout in the tech industry.

Michelle Frost, an AI advocate at JetBrains and responsible AI consultant, teams up with Hannes Lowette, a principal consultant and monolith advocate, to tackle the ethical challenges posed by AI. They dive into the delicate balance between accuracy and fairness, reflecting on recent regulatory changes. Michelle emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability in AI development, while both guests highlight the need for rigorous bias measurement. The conversation also touches on AI's promise in healthcare, showcasing its potential benefits for patients.

Join Paul Slaughter, a Staff Fullstack Engineer at GitLab and creator of Conventional Comments, alongside Adrienne Braganza Tacke, a Senior Developer Advocate at Viam Robotics. They dive into how structured feedback can transform code reviews from frustrating to collaborative. Hear insights on the balance of empathy and efficiency, the importance of clear labels in communication, and how GitLab's weekly workshops promote consistency among remote teams. Discover strategies for constructive feedback that improve both team dynamics and code quality.