Ignite AppDev Field Day 1

The Evolution of the CI CD Pipeline – Bridging the Gap from Heritage to Modern Apps with Paul Nashawaty

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In his Ignite presentation, Paul Nashawaty discussed the evolution of the CI/CD pipeline, emphasizing the need to balance the allure of new, cutting-edge technologies with the imperative to modernize heritage applications. He highlighted the challenges organizations face in this modernization process, particularly the integration of DevSecOps across various environments and the importance of the software development lifecycle (SDLC). Nashawaty stressed the significance of not overlooking older systems that need to evolve alongside new innovations. He also addressed the broader challenges in the market, such as skill gaps and the role of service delivery partners in implementing new technologies. Throughout his talk, Nashawaty advocated for reducing complexity and maintaining a comprehensive approach that includes both new developments and existing legacy systems to ensure a holistic progression in technology deployment.

Personnel: Paul Nashawaty

GKE Autopilot with Michael Levan

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In his Ignite Talk at AppDev Field Day, Michael Levan discussed GKE Autopilot, which he refers to as “serverless Kubernetes” due to its management of both the control plane and worker nodes, unlike standard GKE where only the control plane is managed. He highlighted that while Autopilot simplifies the setup process, reducing the complexity and amount of code required, it also limits customization options, tying users to the configurations and services provided by GCP. Levan emphasized that while Autopilot can be cost-effective and efficient for those who want to avoid the intricacies of Kubernetes management, it may not be suitable for users who need full control over their Kubernetes environment, such as choosing specific CNIs, CSIs, or CRIs.

Personnel: Michael Levan

DevOps on the Menu with Chrystina Nguyen

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In her Ignite talk at AppDev Field Day, Chrystina Nguyen shared her unique perspective on DevOps, drawing parallels between her extensive experience in the restaurant industry and the principles of DevOps in technology. She highlighted the similarities in teamwork and process optimization between running a successful restaurant and implementing DevOps practices. Chrystina emphasized that DevOps is applicable in various aspects of life, not just in technical fields, illustrating this with examples like grocery shopping and restaurant operations. She used her personal journey from the hospitality industry to tech as an inspiring example of career reinvention and adapting DevOps principles across different sectors, underscoring the universal relevance of effective communication and collaboration in achieving successful outcomes.

Personnel: Chrystina Nguyen

DevRel’n For Dollars with Josh Atwell

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In his Ignite talk at AppDev Field Day, Josh Atwell, a seasoned DevRel leader, delved into the intricate value of developer relations (DevRel) in enhancing business outcomes. Atwell highlighted common misconceptions about DevRel, emphasizing that beyond the visible activities like speaking at conferences and engaging with the community, DevRel plays a crucial role in driving product awareness, adoption, and customer success. He stressed the importance of aligning DevRel efforts with key performance indicators (KPIs) and objectives and key results (OKRs) to demonstrate tangible business value. Atwell also discussed strategies for reducing friction for developers, fostering trust as peers within the developer community, and ensuring that DevRel initiatives support broader marketing and sales goals, ultimately contributing to sustained product growth and customer retention.

Personnel: Josh Atwell

Innovate with AI – Build Chat GPT-like Apps with Calvin Hendryx-Parker

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In his Ignite talk at AppDev Field Day, Calvin Hendryx-Parker, CTO and co-founder of Six Feet Up, describes the process he uses to built AI applications, particularly focusing on data quality and management. He discusses the use of retrieval augmented generation for enhancing chatbot functionalities, emphasizing how poor data quality often hampers AI effectiveness. Calvin showcases a live code demonstration where he extracts and utilizes data from a poorly structured conference website to create a chatbot capable of providing specific, accurate information about the event. He explains the integration of various AI tools, including OpenAI’s Embeddings API and a VectorDB, to handle and improve data interaction for AI applications, highlighting the importance of structured data in AI efficiency and reliability.

Personnel: Calvin Hendryx-Parker

The DevOps Loop is Not How Software Gets Built with Mitch Ashley

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In his Ignite talk at AppDev Field Day, Mitch Ashley challenges the conventional depiction of the DevOps loop as a circular, continuous process, arguing that it inaccurately represents how software development actually occurs. He reminisces about his early career experiences with the waterfall model, where extensive planning preceded any coding, leading to numerous issues upon implementation. Ashley explains that the shift to Agile methodologies, which introduced shorter cycles and incremental releases, was a significant improvement but still not the final answer. He describes DevOps as a more distributed, multiverse-like process where development is fragmented across teams and tasks, integrating continuous integration and deployment practices that allow for frequent, smaller updates. This approach better aligns with the dynamic requirements of modern software development, enabling quicker adaptations to changing needs and more efficient handling of potential issues. Ashley emphasizes the importance of viewing DevOps as a platform rather than a mere collection of tools, advocating for a holistic approach that integrates various disciplines seamlessly across the development lifecycle.

Personnel: Mitch Ashley

Application Developers are Part of a Bigger Picture with Jack Poller

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In his Ignite talk at AppDev Field Day, Jack Poller, an analyst and founder of Paradigm Technica, emphasizes the importance of recognizing that application developers are part of a larger ecosystem. Poller points out that the nature of the tech industry often leads developers to focus narrowly on their specific tasks, such as designing, deploying, and maintaining applications. However, he argues that it’s crucial to look beyond these immediate responsibilities and understand the broader context in which their work exists. Using the example of an XKCD comic, Poller illustrates how every piece of technology relies on numerous other elements, many of which are developed independently in the open-source community. He also highlights the interdependence between different facets of technology, such as internet performance monitoring by Catchpoint, and how they collectively impact the user experience. Poller encourages developers to broaden their perspective, recognize their role within the bigger picture, and appreciate their contribution to the wider tech community.

Personnel: Jack Poller

What is an AI PC with Stephen Foskett

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Stephen Foskett’s Ignite Talk at AppDev Field Day explores the concept of AI PCs, highlighting the integration of AI hardware and software in personal computers. He explains that while AI hardware like tensor cores and neural processing units have been present in devices for years, the true potential of AI PCs lies in their ability to perform AI-accelerated tasks locally. This could revolutionize user experiences and spark a new wave of PC purchases. Foskett discusses the necessary hardware components, such as high-performance CPUs, NPUs, GPUs, ample memory, and connectivity, and emphasizes the importance of software integration, citing Apple’s and Microsoft’s efforts in this area. He also addresses potential privacy concerns and the industry’s hope that AI PCs will drive a super cycle of buying, particularly in the business sector. However, he notes that the widespread use of mobile devices, which already incorporate similar AI technologies, could limit the impact of AI PCs in the consumer market.

Personnel: Stephen Foskett