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Welcome to Betatalks the podcast, in which we talk with friends from the development community. We chat not only about technology, but what drives them, inspires them and makes them unique. Rick (Cloud Solution Architect at Microsoft) and Oscar (CTO at Virtual Vaults), invite developers, makers, Open Source maintainers and other amazing people from the .NET and Azure development community. Looking for more content? Have a look at our Betatalks video's.
106 Episodes
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In this episode, we talk with Shawn, a consultant, architect, and Microsoft MVP, who thrives on learning and sharing knowledge about .NET, JavaScript, and more. His early experiences with computers fostered a mindset of curiosity, helping him navigate tech trends with a pragmatic approach. As an instructor, he prioritizes storytelling, hands-on examples, and learning from mistakes. In this episode, he shares insights on software evolution, abstractions, and the value of diverse perspectives. ...
In this episode, we talk with Panu, a Microsoft MVP and CTO at Adafy Oy. He shares his passion for technology and his hands-on role balancing coding, Azure tasks, and team engagement. We discuss Microsoft's latest AI developments, comparing Semantic Kernel and AI Extensions, and the challenges of integrating AI models. Panu also reflects on the evolution of C#, warning against the "lava layer anti-pattern". Outside of tech, his hobby of gold digging provides a refreshing contrast with a stron...
In this episode, we talk with Keith, a Microsoft MVP, MCT, Power Platform solutions architect, international speaker, and much more. We discuss his professional work and community involvement. Keith shares how he collaborates with customers to design and build solutions using the evolving Power Platform. We explore the platform's maturity, including improvements in source control and the blending of citizen and professional developers. Keith also highlights the role of AI tools in bridging th...
In this episode, we talk with Rocky, VP of Strategy at Xebia. We discuss his journey from programming in the 1980s to shaping modern development. We explore his passion for distributed computing—sparked by early networked arcade games—and reflect on major technological shifts, from the rise of PCs to AI’s growing influence. We dive into AI’s potential to boost developer productivity while considering its economic impact on creative fields. Additionally, we discuss his work on CSLA.NET, which ...
In the 100th episode of Betatalks the Podcast, Rick and Oscar celebrate the milestone with guest Rendle, a software development consultant at RendleLabs and member of the parody band The Line Breakers. Rendle shares the band’s journey from a comedy quiz round to performing tech-themed cover songs at conferences. He highlights his efforts to bring humor and lightheartedness to tech events, including his talk The Worst Programming Language Ever. They also discuss the importance of personal stor...
In this episode, we talk with Wesley, a cloud architect and expert, about the evolution of cloud offerings moving from IaaS to PaaS to serverless and the ongoing debate between Azure DevOps and GitHub. While opinions vary, the consensus is that Azure DevOps remains the more enterprise-ready platform, at least for now. We also dive into cloud security and networking, acknowledging the improvements in Azure but also the complexity that comes with managing virtual networks and debugging connecti...
In this episode, we have a Christmas special. We talk with two very special guests, the hosts themselves. They discuss their experiences over the past year. They reflect on the diverse range of topics covered on the podcast, from Azure to web development. The conversation touches on the increasing presence of AI and the importance of inclusive language. They discuss how they enjoyed learning about topics outside their daily work and getting to know the people behind the technologies. We want...
In this episode, we chat with Valerie Junk, Microsoft Data Platform MVP and owner of PorcuBI. We discuss data visualization and business intelligence. Valerie highlights the importance of turning raw data into insights. We also talk about the challenges of bridging technical skills with business value, and her experiences in the male-dominated tech field. She also emphasizes the value of creativity, community, and balance in achieving success and inspiring others in the data space. About th...
In this episode, we chat with Stefan Judis, a frontend developer. Stefan shares his journey from mastering HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to his current roles in Developer Relations and as a Playwright ambassador. We discuss the challenges of frontend development today, highlighting the need to balance complexity and simplicity while staying focused on performance, accessibility, and maintainability. He also emphasizes the importance of mastering core web technologies despite the rise of modern fr...
In this episode, we talk with Alex Thissen, a cloud architect at Xebia. We discuss the evolving .NET ecosystem and productivity tools for developers. Alex shares insights on the collaborative .NET community. We highlight the advantages of Dev Containers, which simplify setting up and managing development environments, allowing for seamless onboarding and multi-project work without conflicts. We also compare Visual Studio Code with the full Visual Studio IDE, noting strengths of each, and expl...
In this episode, we talk with Roelant Dieben, a cloud and AI architect at Sopra Steria, about his work in the .NET community and the evolving role of AI. He shares his passion for knowledge sharing and discusses AI's rapid advancements, as well as challenges like data quality and identifying good use cases. They also touch on the cooling AI hype, making this a prime time for practical implementations. Roelant emphasizes the need for governance, especially around data leakage, and they discuss...
In this episode, we talk with Rene Schulte, head of 3D CoPs and Quantum Communities of Practices at Reply. We dive into the cutting-edge world of generative AI and digital humans, exploring the potential of AI-powered virtual personas capable of engaging in emotional, human-like interactions. Rene shares how these technologies are used in real-world applications, from personalized customer service to immersive educational experiences. We also discuss the challenges of responsible AI developme...
In this episode, we talk with Martin Zikmund, a Microsoft MVP and an open source contributor. We dive into the Uno Platform, a powerful cross-platform development framework. Martin shares his extensive experience with the Uno Platform and the evolution of Windows development. From working on Windows Phone apps to discovering the Uno Platform as a solution for efficient, cross-platform development. He explains how the Uno Platform compares to other frameworks, highlighting its ability to targe...
In this episode, we talk with Lisa Hoving, a big data engineer and Microsoft Data Platform MVP, about the diverse and dynamic world of big data engineering. Lisa shares insights into her day-to-day responsibilities, which span cloud architecture, DevOps, development, and more. We discuss the challenges of working across so many technical domains and the importance of being a 'jack of all trades' in this field. We also explore the evolution of Azure data services, the complexities of navigatin...
In this episode, Rick and Oscar discuss Azure's evolution from Azure Service Manager to Azure Resource Manager, focusing on the 2024 retirement of classic services and the challenges of migrating to the new ARM model. They highlight the benefits of using tools like Bicep for managing Azure resources, the importance of modernizing applications over simple "lift and shift" migrations, and the guidance provided by the Cloud Adoption Framework. The episode also covers Azure SQL Hyperscale, emphas...
In this episode, Rick and Oscar explore the evolution of Azure compute services, from its early days to the powerful platform it is today. We discuss key milestones like the shift to Azure Resource Manager, which enabled infrastructure as code, and the introduction of Azure Functions, which streamlined compute tasks by focusing on core functionality. The conversation also covers Azure's integration of containers, advancements in Azure App Service, and the challenges of navigating an ever-grow...
In this episode, we talk with Gabrielle Davelaar, a senior AI specialist in the Global Black Belt organization for EMEA at Microsoft. We delve into the rapid evolution of AI adoption in large enterprises, highlighting the challenges around scalability, sustainability, and security. Gabrielle emphasizes the importance of optimizing AI models and infrastructure, rather than simply chasing the latest and greatest hardware, drawing a parallel to the "iPhone effect" that has gripped the AI communi...
In this episode, we talk with Rick van den Bosch. Yes, our very own host Rick van den Bosch. He zooms in on his role as Cloud Solution Architect at Microsoft, helping Azure customers succeed through monthly check-ins, issue resolution, and technical guidance. He explains how customer feedback is key in validating and improving Azure services like Bicep. He also shares how the Fast Track program helps customers quickly implement new services like Azure External Identities. Rick highlights inno...
In this episode, we talk with Sophie van den Akker, an IT engineering specialist at van Lanschot Kempen Bank. She shares her experience initially using the Power Platform but hitting limitations that prompted a rebuild in .NET. This sparks a discussion about when low-code or full-code is more suitable. Sophie details her work maintaining various apps across technologies and balancing stakeholder needs. We explore processes for decision-making, such as attending conferences to validate assumpt...
In this episode, we talk with Sander Molenkamp, a principal cloud architect with over 20 years of experience. We discuss how Microsoft technologies like .NET have shaped his career journey. Sander shares details about his current role managing consultants and hosting community events. We dive into the challenges of predicting event attendance and mitigating high no-show rates. The conversation also touches on Sander's past adventure game projects. He explains how he rebuilt the engine in Blaz...
In this episode, we talk with Sam Cogan, a Solution Architect from Willis Towers Watson. We discuss infrastructure as code and cloud automation. Sam shares his perspective on tools like Terraform, Pulumi, and Bicep - explaining why he prefers Pulumi's ability to use programming languages. We also dive into topics like simplifying container management with Azure Container Apps, the evolving state of cloud deployments and DevOps, and best practices for securely automating infrastructure. Beyond...
In this episode, we talk with Karel Zikmund, a principal software engineer at Microsoft. We discuss the technical and soft skills needed to succeed at different career stages. Karel provides insights on hiring practices, performance optimization, code reviews, and adapting to change in the fast-paced tech industry. Regarding performance, he advocates measuring where bottlenecks exist before optimizing. Karel warns against premature optimization or choosing technologies solely based on benchma...
In this episode, we talk with Pete Gallagher, a full stack manager at Avanade and an Azure and IoT MVP. We discuss the evolution of IoT technology and Microsoft's approach. As IoT has matured, the focus has shifted from standalone hype to integrating these capabilities into broader data platforms. We explore how services like Azure, IoT, Grid, and Azure Arc are now preferred over past favorites like IoT Hub, while ensuring existing investments remain supported. We also highlight the underutil...
1In this episode, we talk with Henk Boelman, a senior cloud advocate at Microsoft. We discuss recent advances in artificial intelligence. Henk explains how models like GPT have made AI more accessible through natural language interfaces. We delve into the rapid progression of the field and predict capabilities in multi-modal input and conversation. We discuss whether dedicated services will evolve independently or be replaced by generalized models. Testing and monitoring deployed AI is c...
In this episode, we talk with Mark Heath. He is a software architect at NICE Systems, a Pluralsight author, and a Microsoft MVP. In this podcast, we discuss some of the key challenges involved with microservices development and newer technologies that aim to address those challenges, such as Aspire and Dapr. We also touch upon concepts like sidecar patterns and how starting with a monolithic architecture first before extracting services can be beneficial. The use of serverless technologies th...
In this episode, we talk with Hanna Engel. She is an Azure Cloud Solutions Specialist at Azelis. We dive into how quantum computers operate differently than classical computers using qubits and probabilities. This makes them well-suited for problems in AI, simulation, and optimization. Some companies are already pairing quantum with AI for applications like optimizing battery production. While challenges remain, experts predict continued exponential progress could enable a million qubit compu...
In this episode, we talk with Yannick Reekmans. He is a managing partner and Microsoft cloud solution architect at Qubix. We talk about Microsoft Power Platform and AI. We discuss various topics, including the challenges of using Copilot due to data security and privacy concerns, limitations of security tools in Power Platform, embracing constructive criticism in software development, and differences in introversion and social energy levels. We also discuss the potential impact of generative ...
In this episode, we speak with Jessey Johnson, a Cloud Solution Architect and an Advanced Cloud Expert (ACE) at Microsoft, who serves as a bridge between business, IT, and technology. We delve into topics such as digital transformation, the evolving landscape of Azure, and address barriers to inclusion in the tech industry. Jessey shares her journey in assisting Dutch organizations to securely adopt cloud services and what ignited her passion for information security compliance. We explore Mi...
In this special episode, Rick interviews Oscar. We talk about Oscar’s work at Virtual Vaults. For the people who don’t know, Oscar is the CTO of Virtual Vaults, a platform for M&A transactions. Mergers & Acquisitions, that is. We discuss the development of their SaaS platform, emphasizing security and compliance. Oscar highlights their focus on constant improvement through new features, evolving technologies, and an agile culture. He outlines their plans for the coming year, which inc...
In this episode, we talk with Shay Rojansky. He is a Microsoft principal software engineer working on .NET data access and a performance member of the Entity Framework team. And he's a lead developer of Npgsql, the open source .NET data provider for PostgreSQL. We discuss various topics related to data and performance in .NET, such as the evolution of Entity Framework, debates on abstraction usage, database performance optimization, and breakthrough changes in software development. We share s...
In this episode, we talk with Sakari Nahi. He is responsible for the vision, brand, and quality of his company Zure. He is a Microsoft Regional Director and an Azure MVP. He has over twenty years of experience creating custom software and ten years of experience with Azure. He is the founder of the Finland Azure user group and a co-host at the Finnish podcast Ikkunastudio. They talk about the early days of Azure and public clouds, the evolution of services like Cosmos DB, and AI capabilities ...
In this episode, we talk with Gerben van de Wiel. He is a Principal Cloud Security Architect at Betabit, specializing in bolstering security through meticulous pen testing and detailed software assessments at YieldDD. Gerben's proficiency is not just limited to assessments; he is also adept at creating and conducting security-focused training programs to elevate the readiness to counteract cyber threats. They discuss Gerben's work in security assessments and training programs. They talk about...
In this episode, we have a Christmas special. We talk with two very special guests, the hosts themselves. They look back at some of their favorite episodes from the past year, such as interviews with Jimmy Bogart about open source, Sarah Young about security, and Edward Keilholz about Azure Container Apps. They discuss how they enjoyed learning about topics outside their daily work and getting to know the people behind the technologies. We want to thank all our guests for an amazing yea...
In this episode, we talk with Sherry List. She has worked with a variety of web technologies in the past and currently works as Senior Program Manager at Microsoft. Apart from her everyday job, she is chairperson of the board at Hack Your Future. She is also a co-founder of Synthetic AI Data and of the ngVikings and ngSpain conference, as well as some Meetups groups, such as ngCopenhagen, Women Techmakers Denmark and ForDevs. We talk about her work at Microsoft managing the Learn platform. Th...
In this episode, we talk with Rik Hepworth. He is a Chief Consulting Officer at Black Marble. That means his days are spent herding cats as he manages developers and consultants. He is proud to have been awarded Microsoft MVP in Azure since 2014 and he's been a Microsoft Regional Director since 2020. Passionate about community, Rik helps organise two community dev conferences in the UK and is a member of the central organising team for global Azure. We discuss the history and evolution of glo...
In this episode, we talk with Rudy Ooms. He is a Microsoft MVP and he has been working for Deltacom for 22 years as a Cloud Architect. He is also the owner of Call4Cloud. He does a lot of blogging and he might be the Intune engineering team’s worst enemy. We discuss endpoint security and device management with Intune. Rudy shares insights from his experience debugging Intune and finding bugs to report to Microsoft. We cover topics like Windows LAPS, Endpoint Privilege Management, declarative ...
In this episode, we talk with Magnus Mårtensson. He is an entrepreneur, an MVP for Azure since the start of the cloud, and a Microsoft Regional Director. He is a consultant, architect, and product development lead, and he runs his own company Lofty Soft. As an international speaker, his passions include connecting with audiences and organizing conferences. We discuss Magnus' background working with Azure for many years and running community events like Global Azure. We talk about the early da...
In this episode, we talk with Willem Meints. He is a software architect who has been working with AI for 10 years. He is the author of the book "Deep learning with Microsoft Cognitive Toolkit Quick Start Guide". With his background in electronics and software engineering, he brings a unique view on how companies can use machine learning with a keen eye for DevOps and continuous delivery that's often overlooked in this field. We discuss where AI currently stands in its development, with Willem...
In this episode, we talk with Laïla Bougriâ. She is a software engineer and solution architect with over 15 years of experience in the .NET space. She's a Microsoft Azure MVP and a frequent speaker at conferences around the world. Laïla is busy building NServiceBus at Particular Software and solving distributed riddles. When she's not immersed in code, Laïla enjoys indulging in her favorite pastime - knitting! We discuss critical thinking skills and how they can be developed and applied in so...
In this episode, we talk with Wesley Haakman. He is a Microsoft Azure MVP and Lead Azure Architect at Intercept, transitioned from managing Linux environments to mastering the Microsoft platform since Windows 2003. His passion for Microsoft Azure led to a journey of sharing insights with peers, customers, and partners, designing cloud solutions, participating in preview programs, and delivering workshops and technical sessions. We discuss Wesley's career journey working with Microsoft A...
In this episode, we talk with Daniel Marbach. He is a Software Engineer at Particular Software, makers of NServiceBus, and a Microsoft MVP for Integration. He can bend minds and spoons with asynchronous programming and has contributed to many open-source projects. We talk about Daniel's background and career path, with a focus on his extensive open-source contributions. He emphasizes the importance of continuous learning and understanding technologies at multiple levels. He also stresses find...
In this episode, we talk with Sarah Young. She is a Senior Cloud Security Advocate at Microsoft, holds numerous industry qualifications, and has co-authored a few Microsoft Press technical books. She won the Security Champion award at the Australian Women in Security Awards and is a co-host of the Microsoft Azure Security Podcast. We discuss the changing face of security and how it has evolved from being an afterthought to being integrated throughout the development lifecycle. Traditional per...
In this episode, we talk with Azure McFarlane, a BizApps MVP, and a senior consultant at Hitachi Solutions in Washington DC. Her specialty is Microsoft Power Platform and she has an established Flowmance with Power Automate. She serves as Head of Global Partnerships and Growth at TechStylers and she co-hosts a community podcast 'Cloud Conversations'. We talk about her background and how she ended up at Microsoft, where she found her passion in the world of automation and leveraging Power Auto...
In this episode, we talk with Ferenc Németh, a senior consulting architect at YieldDD Software Due Diligence. With his decades of experience, he helps companies make the right strategic choices by performing software due diligence, software assessments, and security assessments. We talk about how to correctly assess software quality and provide consulting services. Ferenc tells all about how YieldDD goes beyond automated tools and provides insight and interpretation, allowing clients to fully...
In this episode, we talk with Scott Helme, a Security Researcher, Entrepreneur, and International Speaker. He's the creator of Report URI and Security Headers and delivers world-renowned training on hacking and encryption. We talk about how his Nissan Leaf was an eye-opener in how systems could be hacked by someone on the other side of the world. In the automotive industry, they are connecting things, via the internet, that have never been connected before. We discuss what would be the next b...
In this episode, we talk with Eric Berg. He works as Vice President Consulting Expert and Global Alliance Manager for Microsoft at CGI, and he is a member of the Microsoft Community. He regularly writes blogs and produces the GeekSprech podcast and GeekSchau webcast. Eric also runs the Azure Thüringen Meetup and is a well-known speaker at conferences. Besides that, he is also a LinkedIn Learning trainer. His motto is: "The community lives from the community, and only those who join in keep it...
In this episode, we talk with Jimmy Bogard. Jimmy is the creator and maintainer of the popular OSS libraries AutoMapper and MediatR. He has received the MVP award every year since 2009. We talk about AutoMapper and why he created it. It has hundreds of millions of downloads and it is almost scary how many people depend on it. He never imagined that it would grow so big. In his day job as an independent software consultant, he builds custom software for his clients. We talk about how mig...
In this episode, we talk with Sander ten Brinke. He is a Lead Software Engineer at Arcady and Microsoft MVP for the Developer Technologies Category. He loves working with .NET, Azure, and DevOps and is passionate about HATEOAS. HATEOAS is an acronym for Hypermedia As The Engine Of Application State and Sander will explain what it does and how it works. We also discuss how he started with HATEOAS and how it helps evolve server functionalities. Sander works on a lot of different development pla...
In this episode, we talk with Bram de Buyser, he is a freelance technical architect and developer, primarily in data engineering and scalable platforms. Bram talks about his adventures building Drabble.social, how do you start a Twitter alternative? We talk about the key features of Drabble and concepts like how to design a timeline for the user. Bram explains how Azure PaaS services are helping him to build a seriously scalable architecture on a starter budget and how not having to invest up...
In this episode, we talk with Erwin Staal. As an Azure Architect and DevOps consultant he loves helping companies deliver their software to customers using DevOps practices and cloud-native architectures. He believes in the power of both the monolith and microservices and prefers to run his workload on the Azure cloud and/or Kubernetes. We talk about Azure Landing Zones; what they are, why you want them, and the cloud adaption framework. An Azure Landing Zone is the output of a multi-subscrip...
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