Welcome to another exciting episode of Top End Devs! In today's show, we dive into the intricate world of quality assurance and testing strategies with our special guest, AJ Funk. AJ, a seasoned software engineer at Rainforest QA, shares his unique journey from playing professional baseball to developing cutting-edge QA solutions. Joining us are co-hosts Will Button and Jillian, along with fellow guest Matteo Collina.AJ walks us through the evolution of quality assurance at Rainforest QA, emphasizing the importance of balancing confidence and velocity in testing. He highlights innovative approaches like using visual layers for testing, eliminating the need for extensive code-based tests, and explains how their no-code solutions empower teams to maintain high-quality standards efficiently.From discussing the myth of 100% test coverage to the role of AI in QA, AJ and our hosts explore practical strategies for developers. We also touch on the importance of real-world testing environments, handling microservices, and tips for leveraging Rainforest QA's robust tools effectively.Join us for a thought-provoking conversation that covers everything from the basics of end-to-end testing to advanced QA practices, and even takes some entertaining detours into the personal lives of our speakers. Whether you're a seasoned developer or just starting out in the tech industry, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss. Tune in for some expert advice, a few laughs, and a whole lot of valuable information!Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/adventures-in-devops--6102036/support.

Will Kelly is a technical writer who joins the adventure to discuss bridging the gap between open source, development, and DevOps. He explains the personal and technical skills needed to help folks understand the need for using Open Source software and how developers and DevOps practitioners can communicate about the security concerns around complimentary practices of the two groups with the realms of their jobs.LinksDevSecOps: An open source storyLinkedIn: Will KellyTwitter: Will Kelly ( @willkelly ) PicksCharles- PodcastBootcamp.ioCharles- JavaScript PicksCharles- Ready Player TwoCharles- Masters of DoomCharles- Leviathan Wakes Will Button- Office SpaceWill Button- Joe Rogan Experience #1428 - Brian GreeneWill Kelly- The WireWill Kelly- Ted LassoWill Kelly- OpensourceBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/adventures-in-devops--6102036/support.

Ready to show off your coding skills to the world? Not so fast. In this episode, Will and Jillian discuss why developers need to simplify their product with the end goal in mind—the customer. They share some awesome examples of how to do this, how you can win Future You’s approval, and the steps to create a smooth user experience.“I think it’s a hard mental shift to say that my area of expertise shouldn’t be visible in the product. But, you need to understand the end goal. My goal is to automate myself out of a job, then move on.”Will ButtonIn This Episode: Jillian shares a killer example that should inspire all DevOps people to simplify their process As a programmer, you want to tell the customer how great your programming is, right? Hold on…Will shares a different perspective How Will approaches his programming that avoids all customer confusion and creates a seamless experience What Jillian believes is MORE important than learning how to code (sometimes) Why you need these TWO things that will earn Future You’s approvalPicksJillian - Airflow and StrapiJillian - Non-techy: Harriet the Hamster PrincessWill - Until the End of Time by Brian GreeneBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/adventures-in-devops--6102036/support.

In today's episode, Will and Jillian dive deep into the evolving landscape of Salesforce DevOps, joined by the experienced Vernon Keenan. This episode covers a range of critical topics including recent changes in Salesforce's AI product offerings and the complexities surrounding their pricing. Vernon takes us on his personal journey from telecom to pioneering a tax engine on Salesforce, leading to his current focus on Go and Kubernetes-driven DevOps solutions.They unpack the challenges developers face with Salesforce's SFDX and metadata API, explore how companies like Capado, Flowsome, and Gearset are tackling these issues, and discuss innovative approaches from firms like Elements Cloud. The conversation also ventures into the realm of cognitive DevOps, AI-driven virtual employees, and the economic and societal impacts of these technologies. Additionally, they touch upon the shifting responsibilities in Salesforce management and the rising importance of CIOs in this space.Whether you're grappling with Salesforce’s limitations or seeking insights on how AI is transforming the DevOps field, this episode is packed with expert advice, industry insights, and forward-looking perspectives. Stay tuned, as they also address public policy concerns, the potential for job displacement, and the future of SaaS DevOps. Listen in and join as they navigate the future of technology and workforce transformation!SocialsLinkedIn: Vernon Keenan Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/adventures-in-devops--6102036/support.

Eyar Zilberman joins the adventure to discuss Kubernetes schema validation tools.The panel jumps in and discusses the power of and the pros and cons of the different kinds of schema validations.LinksWhy you need to use Kubernetes schema validation toolsA Deep Dive Into Kubernetes Schema ValidationDatree.ioEyar Zilberman - DEV CommunityLinkedIn: Eyar ZilbermanTwitter: Eyar Zilberman ( @eyarzilb )PicksJillian- GitHub | cloudposse/terraform-example-moduleJonathan- Sid Meier's Memoir!: A Life in Computer GamesWill- PaperlikeBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/adventures-in-devops--6102036/support.

Shimon Tolts is the CEO datree.io. Shimon talks the panel through an outage he experienced while working for a previous employer. He breaks down the situation and the explains the types of misconfiguration that caused his outage and how these things can cause problems in other applications as well.Linksdatree.ioTwitter: Shimon Tolts ( @shimontolts )PicksCharles- WillowCharles- Traeger GrillsJeffrey- How to be most efficient in learning something newJeffrey- Don't fall into the trap of just buying cheap productsShimon- daily.dev | All-in-one developer news readerWill- The Manual: A Philosopher's Guide to LifeBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/adventures-in-devops--6102036/support.

Will, Warren, and Jillian dive deep into a riveting discussion that spans a myriad of topics, from hiring practices to the hidden impacts of plastics in our brain matter. They kick off with Jillian's intriguing Amazon affiliate link strategy, sparking a fascinating debate on monetization. As they navigate through Warren's shocking revelation about plastics in our brains, he also shares a crucial health tip: blood donation as a method to combat "forever chemicals." But that's not all—Jillian also offers a thought-provoking book recommendation that promises to be both profound and enlightening.They explore the intricate balance between skills and cultural fit in hiring, sharing personal insights and strategies to ensure the right match within their teams. They hear about the importance of detailed job descriptions, cultural alignment, and the nuanced art of candidate rejection.The episode takes a practical turn as Will and Jillian offer valuable advice for contractors, discussing hourly rates, contract work, and the critical role of setting non-technical requirements based on company culture.Finally, they tackle the ever-important topic of leadership and decision-making in the evolving post-COVID engineering environment, encompassing the challenges of remote work, the significance of team fit, and strategies for managing uncertainty in startup life.Don't miss out as they wrap up with light-hearted personal recommendations and crucial advice for thriving in tech roles, consulting, and contracting. Stay tuned for a comprehensive journey through DevOps challenges and solutions!SocialsLinkedIn: Jillian RoweLinkedIn: Warren ParadLinkedIn: Will ButtonBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/adventures-in-devops--6102036/support.

Choosing the right CI/CD tools can be a daunting task. The discussion highlights two essential questions to ask before making your selection. Super-specialized tools are on the rise, but migrating between tools safely is crucial. Listeners will discover the ONE key component that truly makes a CI/CD tool worthwhile. The team dives into the complexities of game development and the intricacies of using GitHub Actions versus GitLab CI, ensuring clarity and maintainability in CI/CD pipeline structures.

In this episode, they explore the realms of DevOps management and team dynamics. Will is joined by Warren and Jillian to delve into the challenges and strategies involved in transitioning from a ticket queue system to using epics for task management. They discuss how this shift prioritizes objectives, enhances team focus across global time zones, and improves communication with product teams.The conversation also touches on documenting processes, managing support work, and the importance of adaptability and transparency within organizations. From humorous anecdotes about technical issues to practical advice on handling resistance from higher-ups, the episode is packed with real-world examples and expert insights. Tune in to learn how to better align stakeholder priorities, balance planned and unplanned work, and foster a more efficient and cohesive DevOps team. SocialsLinkedIn: Jillian RoweLinkedIn: Warren ParadLinkedIn: Will ButtonBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/adventures-in-devops--6102036/support.

Jillian returns to the podcast after a significant move from Doha, Qatar to a quaint town in New Hampshire. She shares her experiences of adjusting back to life in the U.S., both personally and professionally. The discussion delves into the logistics and emotional aspects of relocating internationally—what it’s like leaving behind furniture deemed disposable overseas, starting fresh with new purchases, and dealing with unexpected challenges along the way.Additionally, they talk about the Dora metrics and the emphasis on why measuring these metrics is crucial for understanding DevOps efficiency within organizations. They also dive into the importance of setting hypotheses when attempting organizational changes. And discuss the challenges faced by companies who fail at measuring progress post-experimentation.SocialsLinkedIn: Jillian RoweLinkedIn: Will ButtonLinkedIn: Warren ParadBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/adventures-in-devops--6102036/support.