Adventures in DevOps

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 Button

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 Button

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 Parad

Brian Vallelunga, founder of Doppler and former Uber security expert, shares his insights into the intricate world of secrets management. He emphasizes the necessity of robust practices for handling sensitive information in development. The conversation highlights the importance of integrating security from day one and the potential of identity-based authentication to simplify access. Brian also discusses the evolving security landscape, practical tips for safeguarding data, and the challenges of achieving SOC 2 compliance—all while keeping developer productivity in focus!

Today, we have a dynamic discussion lined up with Will and special guest, Ben Johnson, the CEO of Particle 41. In this episode, they delve deep into the evolving landscape of the tech industry, from incentivizing certifications to the current economic conditions affecting startups.Ben shares his insights on the importance of experience and specialized knowledge, advocating for a system that prioritizes certifications as objective measures of learning. Will critiques the education system and proposes an apprenticeship model as a solution to existing gaps.The conversation also navigates the complexities of the modern job market, the impact of layoffs, and the startup ecosystem's challenges due to economic constraints. We explore innovative paths like personal entrepreneurship, brand building, and creating niche software solutions.Ben and Will also debate the merits of generalism versus specialization, the use of AI in development, and the strategic value of certifications. Plus, we'll touch on the transformative potential SocialsLinkedIn: Ben Johnson

Charles is joined by Caleb Fornari and Jeffrey Groman as we discuss the challenges of public versus private package managers and the security implications of using public repositories.LinksAdventures in DevOps - Devchat.tvDependency Confusion: How I Hacked Into Apple, Microsoft and Dozens of Other CompaniesDevchat.tv | JSJ 357: Event-Stream & Package Vulnerabilities with Richard Feldman and Hillel WayneMalicious code found in npm package event-stream downloaded 8 million times in the past 2.5 monthsGitHub | The Node Security PlatformPicksCaleb- Have a plan to mitigate damage if someone is able to get inside your network. Don’t just secure the public side of your technical infrastructure, make sure your internal security as just as strong as your external security.Charles- Dev Heroes Accelerator | Devchat.tvCharles-  The Umbrella Academy | NetflixCharles- Personal RetreatJeffrey- Asset management: Know and document where all of your digital assets reside. Whether servers, VMs, EC2 instances, and all of your structured and unstructured data.Jeffrey- You can’t secure what you don’t know about

Dive into the challenges of career longevity in tech, as the discussion uncovers the significance of staying with projects to master complex issues. Explore the delicate balance between technical and soft skills necessary for effective management. Hear about the nuances of job satisfaction and the value of adaptability in navigating career transitions. The speakers share humor and insights on personal development, burnout, and the lessons from influential literature that shape professional growth.

In today's episode, Warren and Will dive into the difficulties of coordinating between marketing and engineering teams, particularly around handling increased traffic and sales during the holiday season. The discussion covers the importance of auditing code and looking for potential issues or technical debt at the end of the year. The hosts also explore strategies for pitching and justifying technical projects or rewrites to management, emphasizing the need to frame them in terms of business impact. They conclude by reflecting on the value of stepping back from day-to-day tasks at the end of the year to gain a broader organizational perspective.SocialsLinkedIn: Warren ParadLinkedIn: Will ButtonPicksWill - Half-Life: Alyx

Will, an advocate for mastermind groups, and Warren, a participant, explore how these groups can elevate careers in DevOps. They unravel the origins of mastermind groups, discussing why most fail and what makes the successful ones tick. Sharing personal anecdotes, they connect accountability to emergency preparedness, drawing insights from military training. The conversation also dives into networking strategies, public speaking tips, and the significance of meaningful relationships in professional growth, all sprinkled with practical advice for forming effective mastermind groups.