#304: As we continue to navigate the complexities of modern work environments, the debate surrounding remote work versus in-office setups remains a hot topic. Companies are constantly reevaluating their strategies when it comes to talent retention, with the return to office being a significant point of discussion. On one hand, working in an office provides the opportunity for direct human interaction. This option can be particularly beneficial for those who are younger or new to the field, as th...
Feb 26, 2025•33 min•Ep. 304
#303: In today's digital realm, command-line interfaces (CLI) are lifelines for developers, embodying the efficiency and power required to manage complex tasks. The goal in designing a CLI is not to overwhelm users with command intricacies but to allow them to navigate operations seamlessly and intuitively. In this episode, we speak with Wesley Beary, a founding engineer at Anchor, about their journey of developing a robust CLI for their product. Wesley's contact information: LinkedIn: https://w...
Feb 19, 2025•50 min•Ep. 303
#302: As individuals, engineers may feel that the day-to-day tasks and projects they undertake are not life-changing. After all, if an engineer has an off day, it doesn't mean they're suddenly out of the job market. However, when we look at the larger picture from a business standpoint, the stakes are significantly higher. Companies that choose to ignore or delay engaging with emerging technologies might find themselves in precarious positions. The necessity of stepping out of the comfort zones ...
Feb 12, 2025•31 min•Ep. 302
#301: How many applications are in your organization that need to be kept up to date? More than likely, that number is every application needs to be kept up to date, if for no other reason than to keep your security teams happy. It gets even worse if you have 10s, 100s or even 1000s of applications. How do you make this manageable? In this episode, we sit down with Jonathan Schneider from Moderne to discuss OpenRewrite, a large-scale software refactoring solution. Jonathan explains how OpenRewri...
Feb 05, 2025•55 min•Ep. 301
#300: Innovation and technology are constantly shifting the landscape of various industries, and the rise of AI is no exception. The term "AI Native Engineer" is becoming more prevalent. This shift denotes not just an evolution in the technological tools at our disposal but a transformation in how engineers engage with these tools to enhance productivity and innovation. In this episode, our friend Patrick Debois joins us to talk about what he has been doing over the past year with AI. Patrick's ...
Jan 29, 2025•58 min•Ep. 300
#299: The ability to efficiently manage and analyze data is crucial in today's rapidly evolving tech landscape. One innovative solution that addresses this need is ModelKit. ModelKits are built on existing standards, ensuring compatibility with the tools your data scientists and developers already use. In this episode, Darin and Viktor speak with Gorkem Ercan, CTO at Jozu, about KitOps, the open source DevOps project built to standardize packaging, reproduction, deployment, and tracking of AI / ...
Jan 22, 2025•42 min•Ep. 299
#298: Throughout numerous conferences, experts have often proclaimed that choosing the right culture is paramount over the selection of tools. However, it’s an oversimplification to deem one right over the other. Tools and culture share a symbiotic relationship, each influencing and reshaping the other. In this episode, Darin and Viktor try to settle this debate. YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/devopsparadox Review the podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://www.devopsparadox.com/review-podcast/...
Jan 15, 2025•33 min•Ep. 298
#297: In today's digital landscape, ensuring secure and efficient access to systems is crucial. Authorization plays a vital role in granting the right access levels — but how can businesses implement it effectively? In this episode, we speak with Alex Olivier, co-founder & CPO at Cerbos, about how Cerbos presents an adaptable solution that streamlines access control and governance by externalizing authorization logic and focusing on policy-driven management. Alex's contact information: LinkedIn:...
Jan 08, 2025•49 min•Ep. 297
#296: As we step into 2025, the tech landscape is marked by a myriad of opportunities and challenges, with artificial intelligence taking center stage. While AI is firmly entrenched in our daily lives, other technological advances and industry trends also demand our attention. In this episode, Darin and Viktor make their tech predictions for 2025. YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/devopsparadox Review the podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://www.devopsparadox.com/review-podcast/ Slack: https://...
Jan 01, 2025•27 min•Ep. 296
#295: Merry Christmas from the entire team, and thank you for making us a part of your year! YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/devopsparadox Review the podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://www.devopsparadox.com/review-podcast/ Slack: https://www.devopsparadox.com/slack/ Connect with us at: https://www.devopsparadox.com/contact/...
Dec 25, 2024•16 min•Ep. 295
#294: Here we are at the end of 2024. Darin and Viktor look back at the predictions they made back in episode 244. Let's see how they did. YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/devopsparadox Review the podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://www.devopsparadox.com/review-podcast/ Slack: https://www.devopsparadox.com/slack/ Connect with us at: https://www.devopsparadox.com/contact/...
Dec 18, 2024•28 min•Ep. 294
#293: As we edge closer to the end of 2024, companies grapple with the complexities of workforce retention and attraction. Companies must navigate post-COVID realities and adjust to altered market conditions. The enduring quest for stability in these uncertain times shapes employee priorities as they seek job security amidst market volatility. In this episode, we speak with Michael Zuercher, CEO and co-founder of Prismatic, about the challenges and opportunities businesses must address while try...
Dec 11, 2024•45 min•Ep. 293
#292: Open source software has become an integral part of the modern digital landscape. It's often celebrated for its free access and collaborative ethos, contributing to rapid technological advancement. However, the reality of open source is more complex, involving issues of ownership, licensing, corporate influence, and the role of foundations. In this episode, Darin and Viktor discuss the moral and strategic dimensions of licensing and contributions to open source software. YouTube channel: h...
Dec 04, 2024•33 min•Ep. 292
#291: As we approach the end of 2024, a recurring theme in the tech industry is the impact of AI on software jobs. While some fear mass job displacement, others see an opportunity for unprecedented innovation. In some respects, it appears that the job market is experiencing shifts reminiscent of the Industrial Revolution. However, unlike the fear of robots taking over in sci-fi narratives like The Terminator, current concerns are rooted in AI automating roles traditionally held by humans. In thi...
Nov 27, 2024•52 min•Ep. 291
#290: Darin catches up with Viktor and Whitney Lee just minutes after they've finished up at KubeCon NA 2024. We discuss the good things and bad things that they experienced while in Salt Lake City. YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/devopsparadox Review the podcast on Apple Podcasts: https://www.devopsparadox.com/review-podcast/ Slack: https://www.devopsparadox.com/slack/ Connect with us at: https://www.devopsparadox.com/contact/...
Nov 20, 2024•39 min•Ep. 290
#289: For startups, navigating the dilemma of cloud selection is critical. While major providers offer incentives and familiarity, stepping out of the conventional path to explore other providers or even setting up specialized solutions can lead to significant cost savings and tailor-made optimizations. The balance is in understanding when to scale with commercial offerings and when to embark on more customized, potentially costlier ventures. In this episode, we talk with Hugo Santos, CEO at Nam...
Nov 13, 2024•46 min•Ep. 289
#288: Let's journey back in time, roughly 30 to 50 years ago, to an era where systems were relatively simple. These foundational systems were built with fewer components, making them not only easier to understand but also simpler to manage. At that time, the stability of a system was often directly correlated with its simplicity. Fewer variables meant fewer potential points of failure, and system operators could focus on optimizing the core elements. The mantra of the day was straightforwardness...
Nov 06, 2024•32 min•Ep. 288
#287: In the world of software development, updating dependencies remains a crucial yet often neglected task. Many developers dread the manual labor involved, especially considering potential compatibility issues and the risk of breaking existing functionality. In this episode, we talk with Rhys Arkins, the creator of Renovate, about the origins of the project and how dependency update automation helps with software development efficiency and security. Rhys' contact information: X (Formerly Twit...
Oct 30, 2024•45 min•Ep. 287
#286: Consumers are often enticed by the allure of free services. From email services like Gmail to networking tools like Twingate, the appeal of getting something for nothing is irresistible. But is it truly 'free'? When taking advantage of free services, one must consider the underlying trade-offs. Using free tools often means contributing personal data in exchange—a model many big tech companies operate upon, particularly for ad-supported services. In this episode, Darin and Viktor discuss wh...
Oct 23, 2024•33 min•Ep. 286
#285: In the fast-paced world of technology, organizations often find themselves in a complex dance between embracing the latest advancements and grappling with decades-old infrastructure. This delicate balance is highlighted in today's enterprises as they attempt to integrate legacy systems with modern solutions like microservices. The challenges, both technical and organizational, raise critical questions about the future of software development and business strategy. In this episode, we speak...
Oct 16, 2024•46 min•Ep. 285
#284: Every step forward is built upon the achievements of the past. When you're developing software, leveraging existing knowledge and improvements can propel your success. Stepping blindly into the vast sea of technological options without understanding the motivations behind their existence can lead to costly missteps. In this episode, Darin and Viktor discuss when you choose to use someone else's technology, you are inherently choosing to adopt someone else's decisions. YouTube channel: http...
Oct 09, 2024•31 min•Ep. 284
#283: Moving beyond the usual suspects in observability, today's focus shifts towards mobile—a relatively unexplored domain for OpenTelemetry. The integration of OpenTelemetry with mobile applications opens new avenues for mobile app observability. In this episode, Darin and Viktor talk with Austin Emmons from Embrace about the need for educating developers about the value of instrumentation and how OpenTelemetry can significantly aid in performance monitoring and diagnostic efforts for mobile a...
Oct 02, 2024•41 min•Ep. 283
#282: In the ever-evolving world of technology, the intricacies of software development and system design continually challenge engineers and developers alike. Insights from past thinkers, such as John Gall, combined with modern-day practices, provide a fascinating lens through which we can understand and navigate these complexities. In this episode, Darin and Viktor discuss a blog post from Mahesh Balakrishnan titled "Three Laws of Software Complexity (or: why software engineers are always grum...
Sep 25, 2024•32 min•Ep. 282
#281: In today's rapidly evolving tech industry, many startups believe they can challenge the well-established giants by offering similar products with minor tweaks. However, this approach is fundamentally flawed. Companies like Amazon and Microsoft will absorb a few of these new competitors, while many others will simply disappear. The driving force behind this harsh reality isn't just competition; it's the absence of truly innovative products. The tech landscape is unforgiving to those who don...
Sep 18, 2024•53 min•Ep. 281
#280: Policy as Code is not just a trend but a critical practice for cloud-native success. It ensures automation, consistency, version control, auditability, security, and flexibility. By adopting policies as code, organizations can effectively manage and enforce policies, leading to improved compliance and faster incident response. In this episode, Darin and Viktor dive deeper into the topic, share real-world scenarios, and discuss the practical implications of implementing policies as code as ...
Sep 11, 2024•38 min•Ep. 280
#279: One topic continues to emerge in conversations about technology and observability — OpenTelemetry. It's clear that OpenTelemetry has become fundamental in the tech industry. In this episode, we talk with Paschalis Tsilias, a software engineer with Grafana, about Alloy, a vendor-neutral distribution of the OpenTelemetry (OTel) Collector. Paschalis' contact information: X (Formerly Twitter): https://x.com/tpaschalis_ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tsilias/ YouTube channel: https://you...
Sep 04, 2024•43 min•Ep. 279
#278: In today's tech landscape, developers often find themselves caught in the middle of a debate that never seems to age: GUI or CLI? While the tools and interfaces we use may evolve, the core question remains. How do we balance the efficiency and familiarity of graphical user interfaces (GUIs) with the raw power and flexibility of command-line interfaces (CLIs)? In this episode, Darin and Viktor discuss a blog post by Ian Miell titled In Praise of Low Tech DevEx. In Praise of Low Tech DevEx h...
Aug 28, 2024•32 min•Ep. 278
#277: Developers are often caught in a challenging position. They are keen to write code, innovate, hack, and build new things. However, when security measures are perceived as long, difficult, and cumbersome tasks, these essential protocols tend to be avoided or improperly implemented. The key is to balance the pursuit of creativity with the need for robust security. The idea is simple yet profound: by ensuring that security tools are straightforward and user-friendly, developers are more likel...
Aug 21, 2024•45 min•Ep. 277
#276: In today's fast-paced tech world, one sentiment seems to echo louder than ever: "Don't give me help, give me an API." Whether it's AWS configurations, Kubernetes manifests, or even something as fundamental as setting up a basic S3 bucket, an intuitive, well-designed API can mean the difference between smooth sailing and being lost at sea. When companies fail to adapt and streamline their operations through user-friendly APIs, they risk obsolescence. In this episode, Darin and Viktor discus...
Aug 14, 2024•31 min•Ep. 276
#275: In the constantly evolving landscape of technology, embracing new methodologies can significantly enhance our system management capabilities. One such methodology that has risen to prominence is GitOps. This practice enhances the declarative nature of infrastructure management, aiming to increase efficiency and reliability. In this episode, we talk with Christian Hernandez about the origins, principles, and challenges of GitOps. Christian's contact information: X (Formerly Twitter): https:...
Aug 07, 2024•42 min•Ep. 275
