Adventures in DevOps

In this episode, they dive deep into the evolving landscape of cloud infrastructure and developer experience. Join our host, Warren and Will and Eli Ben Israel—former AWS and Microsoft engineer and co-founder of Wing—as they explore the challenges and innovations in DevOps.In this episode, Eli shares pivotal insights from his journey at Amazon, revealing that despite advanced tools like CDK, building on the cloud remains fraught with difficulties. They dissect the cognitive barriers developers face in understanding cloud mechanics and the need for greater access and autonomy in cloud development.Discover the transformative potential of the Wing project, designed to abstract cloud complexities and enhance developer productivity by providing a seamless, cloud-agnostic platform. They also touch upon the importance of good API design, the intriguing philosophy behind Kubernetes, and how projects like Wing promise to simplify and scale cloud development.As they navigate through infrastructure challenges, community building in open-source projects, and the shift from Slack to Discord, this episode promises a wealth of knowledge for both seasoned DevOps professionals and curious newcomers.Stay tuned for technical insights, book recommendations, and a journey through the future of cloud development on **Top End Devs**!Socials LinkedIn: Elad Ben-Israel

Warren delves into this episode featuring an engaging conversation with David Stenglein, a seasoned industry expert with over 20 years of experience. In this episode, they shed light on the pitfalls of hiring product managers amidst hype cycles, urging a shift towards a product mindset that prioritizes user pain points and tangible value. They critique traditional metrics like DORA and ENPS, discussing their limitations and the need for better communication and alignment on business-level metrics.They explore the complexities of platform adoption, from Kubernetes to Docker, and the challenges of managing modern technologies. David emphasizes the importance of striking a balance between innovation and practicality, while Warren delves into the cognitive load and the necessity of higher-level abstractions. With discussions ranging from the evolution of software platforms, and the transformative potential of WebAssembly, to the nuances of user-driven platform development, this episode is packed with valuable insights for every developer navigating the fast-evolving tech landscape. So, tune in as they dissect the future of platform development and the delicate dance between innovation and efficiency.SocialsLinkedIn: David Stenglein

In this episode, Warren and Will delve deep into the intricate world of DevOps and SaaS integrations, featuring insights from special guest Michael Zuercher from Prismatic. Throughout the discussion, they talk about the challenges legacy companies face in updating their massive infrastructure and how Prismatic is revolutionizing SaaS integrations with its innovative approaches. They explore the significance of flexible and reliable integration platforms, learn about the evolution of farming technology, and take a closer look at the long tail of customer needs in the tech industry.Moreover, the experts take on the complexities of handling large data files and API integrations, including the persistent issues of idempotency, pagination, and rate limiting. Additionally, they discuss leadership and market strategies, with book recommendations and personal anecdotes enriching our tech talk. Tune in as they uncover how Prismatic is crafting tools to simplify the integration process, reduce reliance on core developers, and help businesses thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Get ready for an episode filled with technical expertise, practical advice, and a few surprises along the way!SocialsLinkedIn: Michael Zuercher prismatic.io/

In this episode, they delve into the intricacies of DevOps implementation with our insightful hosts and key guest, Marius Stanca. They share invaluable perspectives on the continuous learning nature of DevOps, the evolving toolkit, and the essential roadmap for organizations. Highlighting the critical need for understanding problems before adopting DevOps solutions, the conversation covers practical experiences, automation strategies, and effective resource management.They also discuss the misuse of terms like "agile" and "DevOps" and the importance of eliminating waste through lean principles, citing "The Toyota Way." Moreover, they reflect on the challenges of starting with DevOps, noting the high-quality, minimal-effort maintainability of resources. They explore the automation of everyday tasks, leveraging tools like GitHub and GitLab, and the necessity of adapting to evolving technologies.Marius Stanca introduces the "awesome DevOps" repository, a collaborative resource collection meticulously vetted for DevOps and SRE relevance. Navigating through topics such as team structuring, the simplification of workflows, the perpetual struggle of innovation in DevOps, and the use of GPT in generating source code, this episode is packed with expert advice and humorous insights. Tune in as we bridge the gap between theory and practical execution, providing a rich roadmap for your DevOps journey!SocialsLinkedIn: Marius Stancamarius.xyz

In this episode, the panel together with our guest, Galen Marchetti dives deep into tackling some of the most pressing challenges in the DevOps world. They unpack the hurdles of blue-green deployments, feature flags, and the necessity of parallel execution for smooth production rollouts. They explore the complexities of testing changes in production, managing containerization, and optimizing build speeds with multistage Docker builds. Listen to engaging discussions about kurtosis—a powerful tool for creating development environments—and its impact on projects like Ethereum, as well as the broader implications for open-source contributions. From humorous anecdotes about using VIM in production to thoughtful reflections on the trauma of production errors, this episode covers it all.Plus, get book recommendations, music picks, and tips on the latest tools from our speakers! Don't miss out on these valuable insights and entertaining banter from the frontline of DevOps. SocialsLinkedIn: Galen Marchetti 

In this episode, we have a special guest Kelsey Hightower, exploring the intersections of music, technology, and personal growth. They delve into AI advancements and their significance in DevOps. From Google Maps to large language models, they discuss AI as a tool to complement human expertise, emphasizing professional growth and innovation within the tech industry. Guest Kelsey Hightower shares his career journey, underlining the importance of starting at entry-level, continuous learning, and a growth-focused mindset.They also explore balancing innovation with stability, rewatching classic movies, and the personal joys of retirement. SocialsLinkedIn: Kelsey HightowerTwitter: @kelseyhightower

Today, Will is flying solo as he sits down with Costa Tsaousis, the founder and CEO of NetData. Costa shares the story behind the development of NetData, a groundbreaking monitoring tool that provides high-fidelity, real-time, and automated monitoring without data smoothing.As they delve into the conversation, Costa discusses the remarkable growth and engagement of NetData, emphasizing the vibrant community and the significance of open-source contributions. They also explore efficient data compression and integration with Systemd Journal, highlighting the benefits of distributed data collection.Furthermore, they discuss the challenges of proving the value of data for commercial purposes and the goal of providing better service at a lower cost. Costa also unveils the innovative approach to monitoring and observability, showcasing the simplicity and efficiency of NetData compared to industry-standard solutions.So, join Will and Costa as they dissect the development, capabilities, and future roadmap of NetData, offering valuable insights into the world of DevOps and infrastructure monitoring. Stay tuned to explore the journey of NetData and the revolution it brings to the industry.LinksNetDataSocialsLinkedIn: Costa TsaousisGitHub: @ktsaou

In this episode, Warren and Will embark on a thought-provoking journey through the world of DevOps, security, team dynamics, and career progression. They discuss the hidden implications of domain names, the importance of security certifications, and the complexities of leading a tech team, weaving in personal experiences and insights. With an emphasis on aligning technical work with overarching business goals, they explore the challenges and rewards of managing software development and infrastructure. From the nuances of SaaS provider selection to the impact of AI on small teams, this episode offers a captivating exploration of modern tech practices and their far-reaching implications.PicksWarren - DevOpsDays Zurich 2024Warren - VeritasiumWill- FIRST TIME HEARING LYNYRD SKYNYRD "Free Bird"

Jose Diaz-Gonzalez is the creator is Dokku. They delve into the world of DevOps with a focus on security, open source contributions, and managing permissions in AWS. In this episode, they discuss the challenges and complexities of open-source projects, the importance of verifying the integrity of packages, and the implications of using unauthorized software. They also touch on the upcoming DevOps Days Zurich conference and share insights on evaluating platform features, addressing customer needs, and minimizing tech debt in product management.Join them as they explore explore topics ranging from data storage services to container technologies, and the journey of maintaining open-source projects. They share their experiences, challenges, and valuable insights into the ever-evolving landscape of DevOps. Stay tuned for a deep dive into the nuances of DevOps, security considerations, and the fascinating world of cloud hosting providers.Socials GitHub: Jose Diaz-Gonzalez 

Luca Galante is the Product and Growth at Humanitec. In today's episode, they dive deep into the world of platform engineering and DevOps, discussing the challenges, innovations, and best practices in the field.They discuss the need for clear problem-solving in platform engineering, the importance of reference architectures, and the upcoming PlatformCon event. From the concept of a minimum viable platform approach to measuring success and the pivotal role of communication and customer feedback, this episode covers a wide range of topics essential for anyone involved in platform engineering and DevOps.SocialsLinkedIn: Luca Galante