Screaming in the Cloud

In this Screaming in the Cloud Summer Replay, we revisit our conversation with Scott Johnston, CEO of (the church) of Docker. Docker’s community and their fervor is well known, and Scott has much to say about it! Join the discussion as Scott goes into how he left Puppet after some exposure to Corey to become the CEO at Docker. Scott tells us what exactly Docker is, and where it starts, which is the community around it. Scott talks about the reset that Docker went through in November of 2019, where they decided to make the developer the focus of their mission. He also dives into Docker Desktop, which Scott goes into the details of. Check out this episode for more!

Show Highlights:

• (0:00) Intro
• (1:15) Duckbill Group sponsor read
• (1:48) What is Docker?
• (4:03) Returning to being a developer tool
• (5:56) Docker’s pricing changes and Docker Desktop
• (11:47) Community reaction to the pricing change
• (13:57) Building customer confidence
• (18:52) Duckbill Group sponsor read
• (19:36) Putting trust into user
• (22:04) Docker’s monetization strategy
• (29:28) Embracing change
• (32:16) Where to learn more about Scott and Docker

About Scott Johnston

Scott first typed ‘docker run’ in 2013 and hasn't looked back. He’s been with Docker since 2014 in a variety of leadership roles and currently serves as CEO. His experience previous to Docker includes Sun Microsystems, Puppet, Netscape, Cisco, and Loudcloud (parent of Opsware). When not fussing with computers he spends time with his three kids fussing with computers.

Links:

• Docker: https://www.docker.com
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/scottcjohnston

Original Episode:

https://www.lastweekinaws.com/podcast/screaming-in-the-cloud/heresy-in-the-church-of-docker-desktop-with-scott-johnston/

Sponsor:

The Duckbill Group: https://www.duckbillgroup.com/

In this Summer Replay, look back on Serena a.ka. @shenetworks’ mark on the digital sphere! Serena’s work on the social end of the spectrum is only a facet of her work. As a network engineer in the age of cloud, Serena has much to say about the work of data centers. Corey and Serena talk datacenters, cybersecurity, and the role that her social media presence plays into her work in that typically curmudgeonly world. She traces the rise of her content and how she intends to utilize that previously untapped space to spread the network “vibes”!

Show Highlights:

• (0:00) Intro
• (0:50) Duckbill Group sponsor read
• (1:24) Data centers in the era of the cloud
• (3:46) Establishing an online presence
• (7:00) Misconceptions of the industry and engaging content
• (11:12) Modern marketing campaigns
• (13:43) What data centers look like today
• (18:53) Today’s entry path in tech
• (20:58) Duckbill Group sponsor read
• (21:42) Is the future solely in the cloud?
• (26:00) Ramifications of putting all the eggs in the AWS basket
• (29:52) Aiming content at beginners
• (33:56) Where you can find Serena

About Serena

Serena is a Network Engineer who specializes in Data Center Compute and Virtualization. She has degrees in Computer Information Systems with a concentration on networking and information security. She is most known for her content on TikTok and Twitter as Shenetworks. Serena’s content focuses on networking and security for beginners which has included popular videos on bug bounties, switch spoofing, VLAN hoping, and passing the Security+ certification in 24 hours.

Links:

• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@shenetworks
• Twitter: https://x.com/shenetworks

Original Episode:

https://www.lastweekinaws.com/podcast/screaming-in-the-cloud/spreading-the-networking-vibes-with-serena-shenetworks/

Sponsor:

The Duckbill Group: https://www.duckbillgroup.com/

In this Summer Replay, we revisit our conversation with Jason Warner, where he explained to us how to “Git” on it. Since this episode’s original airdate, Jason has since went on to become the CEO and co-founder at poolside, but his time at GitHub has given him the expertise to inform folks about all the exciting things GitHub has going on. Listen as Jason offers insight into GitHub’s successes which have led to their acquisition by Microsoft. He breaks down his own history at GitHub and its vision to become the “worlds most important software company.” Jason dives into some of the details of GitHub acquisition and the possibilities for what they want to achieve, and where they expect to go within Microsoft. Jason and Corey discuss how to talk about the cloud for its current, and importantly, future clients. Jason talks about what GitHub will bring to Microsoft, and perhaps how it’ll be for the better. Tune in, because the getting is about to “git” good.

Show Highlights:

• (0:00) Intro
• (0:27) Duckbill Group sponsor read
• (1:01) The role of GitHub
• (4:46) How GitHub and Azure can coexist
• (7:08) When to adopt to the cloud
• (9:55) GitHub’s impact on Microsoft
• (13:24) Experiencing acquisition
• (19:34) Misconceptions of GitHub
• (21:36) Duckbill Group sponsor read
• (22:20) Practicality of Codespaces
• (25:34) Designing software with a purpose
• (28:40) Dispelling nerd culture in software
• (30:55) Starting in a non-technical direction
• (33:52) Where you can find more about Jason

About Jason Warner:

Jason Warner is the co-founder and CEO of poolside. He serves on the operating board of Bridgewater Associates. He has previously worked at GitHub as their CTO.

Links:

• GitHub: https://github.com/
• @jasoncwarner: https://twitter.com/jasoncwarner
• GitHub: https://github.com/jasoncwarner
• Jasoncwarner/ama: https://github.com/jasoncwarner/ama

Original Episode:

https://www.lastweekinaws.com/podcast/screaming-in-the-cloud/what-github-can-give-to-microsoft-with-jason-warner/

Sponsor:

The Duckbill Group: https://www.duckbillgroup.com/

In this Summer Replay, we revisit our 2021 conversation Micheal Benedict. At the time, he was the Head of Engineering Productivity at Pinterest, and today, he’s Head of Infrastructure Engineering at Airtable. Micheal tells us what exactly it means to lead engineering productivity and divulges more details on productivity engineering. He traces the history of productivity engineering at Pinterest and offers some distinct observations on building out internal teams. Micheal talks about what it is like in his day-to-day complexities of working in AWS. Tune in for Micheal’s take on the specific details of productivity and the cloud.

Show Highlights:

• (0:00) Intro
• (0:55) Panoptica sponsor read
• (1:36) What is product engineering?
• (2:44) The effectiveness of internal platforms
• (7:46) Solving AMI problems
• (10:23) Building foundations and learning woes
• (13:06) Micheal’s day-to-day at Pinterest
• (15:31) When engineering productivity starts to make sense
• (18:58) Changes Micheal would've made at Pinterest
• (20:56) Panoptica sponsor read
• (21:19) Biggest mistakes at Pinterest
• (23:46) Navigating outages in the cloud
• (30:51) Corey’s personal experiences with Pinterest
• (36:20) The legacy of code
• (40:31) Where you can find more from Micheal

About Micheal Benedict:

Micheal Benedict is an engineering leader with a decade of experience in building and scaling infrastructure for consumer and enterprise companies.

He currently heads Infrastructure Engineering at Airtable. Previously, he led teams at Databricks, Pinterest, and Twitter, enhancing developer productivity, scaling infrastructure, and driving efficient use of multi-million $ cloud budgets.

Micheal holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science from the University at Buffalo.

Links:

• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/micheal
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michealb/

Original Episode:

https://www.lastweekinaws.com/podcast/screaming-in-the-cloud/breaking-down-productivity-engineering-with-micheal-benedict/

Sponsor

• Panoptica: https://www.panoptica.app/

In this Summer Replay of Screaming in the Cloud, Corey is joined by Co-founder and CEO of Cloudflare, Matthew Prince. In this cost-cutting conversation from 2021, Matthew breaks down what exactly Cloudflare is up to, and how they are handling their clients' cloud cost needs. The pair focus on Cloudflare as a company and the options they are bringing to their clients. They discuss their mutual concerns with some AWS costs and why Cloudflare’s suite of tools has slowly been made available over time. Turn back the clock with this fan-favorite episode for more insight.

Show Highlights:

• (0:00) Intro
• (0:53) Backblaze sponsor read
• (1:20) Origins of Cloudflare
• (5:55) The Achilles Heel of the AWS cloud
• (10:09) What is Cloudflare R2?
• (12:26) Pricing philosophies in the cloud
• (17:35) Egress cost of the “static” internet
• (19:48) How Amazon’s pricing harms the overall market
• (24:34) Firefly sponsor read
• (25:10) Cloudflare’s endgame
• (28:32) Staying focused as a business
• (33:35) The value of providing a valuable service
• (37:17) “The internet is a fad.”
• (42:19) The strength of admitting you’re wrong
• (43:04) Where you can find out more about Cloudflare

About Matthew Prince:

Matthew Prince is co-founder and CEO of Cloudflare. Cloudflare’s mission is to help build a better Internet. Today the company runs one of the world's largest networks, which spans more than 200 cities in over 100 countries. Matthew is a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer, a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, winner of the 2011 Tech Fellow Award, and serves on the Board of Advisors for the Center for Information Technology and Privacy Law. Matthew holds an MBA from Harvard Business School where he was a George F. Baker Scholar and awarded the Dubilier Prize for Entrepreneurship. He is a member of the Illinois Bar, and earned his J.D. from the University of Chicago and B.A. in English Literature and Computer Science from Trinity College. He’s also the co-creator of Project Honey Pot, the largest community of webmasters tracking online fraud and abuse.

Links Referenced:

• The Cloudflare Blog: blogs.cloudflare.com

Sponsors:

• Backblaze: https://www.backblaze.com/
• Firefly: https://www.firefly.ai/

Social media snark and rightfully criticizing industry trends? This episode of Screaming featuring Daniel Feldman must be a match made in heaven for Corey. Daniel’s wit is only matched by his engineering expertise, and his insights help us examine the current state of GenAI. This conversation breaks down how you can have fun with today’s AI tools, why product excitement can often hinder advancement, and even carries a tune with a bit of karaoke. As a bonus, Daniel indulges Corey about his signature conference attire. If you ever wanted to learn more about Mr. Quinn’s suit game, then this is the episode for you!

Show Highlights:

• (0:00) Intro to episode
• (0:48) Who is Daniel Feldman
• (1:25) Backblaze sponsor read
• (1:51) Sounding off on social media
• (3:13) Having fun with AI
• (5:27) The origins of quackernews.com
• (6:36) Practical uses of AI
• (8:40) Enthusiasm vs. progress
• (12:30) AI’s online backlash
• (15:45) AI, slideshows, and karaoke
• (18:14) Firefly sponsor read
• (18:50) Tricks to prompting DALL-E
• (21:32) Markdown and software update naming
• (25:13) Exclusionary humor in tech
• (26:19) reInvent and Corey’s sense of fashion
• (28:32) Getting publicly recognized for Twitter posts
• (30:43) Where to find Daniel

About Daniel Feldman:

Daniel Feldman is working on new projects in the service identity space. He previously was an early engineer at Scytale and deployed SPIFFE service identity at over a dozen companies. Before that, he was a principal software engineer at Veritas.

Links Referenced:

• quakernews.com
• Twitter: https://x.com/d_feldman
• Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/dfeldman.bsky.social
• Mastodon: https://hachyderm.io/@dfeldman
• SPIFFE: https://spiffe.io/
• Solving the Bottom Turtle: https://spiffe.io/book/

Sponsors

• Backblaze: https://www.backblaze.com/
• Firefly: https://www.firefly.ai/

While we can’t repeat the title of his blog post here, Nikhil Suresh recently gained notoriety for his scathing takedown of the hype surrounding GenAI. On the surface, it appears his anger lies with the tech, but that’s not the case. In this episode, Nikhil explains to Corey why his frustrations are targeted at a predatory bubble swindling young professionals and investors. You’ll hear their thoughts on the correlation between AI and crypto grifts, why most tech keynotes are just fluff and buzzwords, and when industry catch-all terms start to lose meaning. While GenAI may still show some promise, this week’s episode breaks down why you shouldn’t believe the hype.

Show Highlights:

• (0:00) Intro to episode
• (0:41) Backblaze sponsor read
• (1:08) The origins of Nikhil’s viral article
• (4:20) The disconnect between buzzwords and work
• (5:26) Throwing money at AI
• (7:17) AI vs. craftsmanship
• (13:36) The rush to get AI tools out the door
• (16:12) The telltale signs of bad AI content
• (18:50) AI, crypto, and GPU grifts
• (20:33) The fallout of Nikhil’s blog post
• (22:34) Firefly sponsor read
• (23:10) The practicality of GenAI
• (26:24) GenAI presentations vs. reality
• (29:07) Predatory hiring practices and tech’s current barrier for entry
• (32:03) Sturgeon’s Law in the industry
• (35:22) Consequences of the hype cycle
• (38:48) The fantasy land of “conferenceware”
• (42:01) Where you can find Nikhil

About Nikhil Suresh:

Nikhil is one of the directors at an Australian data consultancy named Hermit Tech, though he’s probably most well-known for writing a blog titled Ludicity. Nikhil has a background in psychology and data science.

Links Referenced:

• https://ludic.mataroa.blog/
• https://www.hermit-tech.com/

Sponsors

• Backblaze: https://www.backblaze.com/
• Firefly: https://www.firefly.ai/

Is there true value in using cloud optimization tools when they may be phased out in the near future? You may be surprised. In this Summer Replay of Screaming of the Cloud, Corey is joined by former VMware Senior Staff Engineer Bryan Liles. Since this episode was originally released, Bryan wasn’t just promoted to the Vice President of Principal Engineering at VMware, he’s also transitioned to a new role as a Senior Principal Engineer with AWS! Listen as the pair talk about the long-term viability of Kubernetes, what’s in a tech company’s name, flipping the script surrounding the discussion of diversity in the field, and why the words you use matter the most in criticism. If anything, this throwback will show the value of intention, whether in the tech industry or your everyday life.

Show Highlights:

• (0:00) Intro to episode
• (0:30) Backblaze sponsor read
• (0:56) The struggles of setting up interview times
• (2:22) What Bryan does at VMware
• (4:14) What Kubernetes has accomplished
• (5:39) Corey’s qualms with Kubernetes
• (8:16) The shelf life of Kubernetes
• (10:36) Optimizing Kubernetes in the cloud
• (13:25) What is Project Pacific?
• (15:28) Firefly sponsor read
• (16:04) Woes of the multicloud
• (19:09) VMware’s branding and Tanzu
• (21:00) Mispronouncing company names
• (22:07) Punching down and diversity discourse in tech
• (25:18) Intentional language in company critiques
• (28:50) Learning lessons from getting fired
• (30:36) Where you can find Bryan

About Bryan Liles

Bryan Liles is a Senior Principal Engineer with AWS where his team oversees all of S3. When not working, Bryan builds and races cars and drones.

Over the past 20 years, Bryan has worked around cloud technology and distributed systems. His approaches to technology are: simplify with fidelity and technology should give access to all.

Links Referenced:

• https://vmware.com

Sponsors

• Backblaze: https://www.backblaze.com/
• Firefly: https://www.firefly.ai/