Adventures in DevOps

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 Greene

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 

Eyar Zilberman, Product Lead at Datree and a law school graduate, shares insights on Kubernetes schema validation tools that prevent misconfigurations. He discusses the critical role these tools play in catching errors early in the development process. Eyar introduces key tools like KubeVal and KubeConform while advocating for an improved developer experience with new Kubernetes functionalities. He also highlights the impact of the Tel Aviv GitHub community, promoting collaboration and shared learning among developers.

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 Life

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