101. From Minicomputers to Cloud Computing: How Technology Shapes Our World - with Rocky Lhotka

In this episode, we talk with Niels Laute, a senior Software Engineer at Microsoft, about the evolving world of Windows development and emerging technologies. From the experimental playground of PowerToys to the growing impact of on-device AI and edge computing, Niels shares how innovations like the ONNX runtime are making advanced tools more accessible than ever. We also dive into the promises and pitfalls of AI, the value of open-source collaboration, and how community-driven development shapes smarter, more intuitive software.About this episode, and Niels Laute in particular: you can find Niels on LinkedIn and GitHub, or visit his website, Niels Laute | UX Designer.About Betatalks: watch our videos and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn and Bluesky. 

In this episode, we talk with Nico Vermeir, a senior application architect and Microsoft MVP. He shares his journey from support technician to application architect, highlighting how passion and persistence helped him succeed without a formal degree. We discuss his involvement in Techorama, his contributions to the tech community and Open Source projects, and the balance between commercial goals and collaboration. Nico also touches on personal interests like brewing beer and listening to thrash metal, showing the human side of tech. About this episode, and Nico Vermeir in particular: you can find Nico on LinkedIn, or visit his website, Nico's Digital Footprint. Via this Spotify link, you can find his list with focus music.About Betatalks: watch our videos and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn and Bluesky. 

In this episode, we talk with Megan Bloemsma, who is a Data and AI specialist. We discuss the evolving tech landscape, stressing the importance of collaboration between data scientists and software engineers. She critiques the indiscriminate use of AI and advocates for more thoughtful, selective technology deployment. Megan also highlights the need for diversity in tech, sharing her experience as a woman in a male-dominated field, and emphasizes the ethical concerns surrounding AI. About this episode, and Megan Bloesma in particular: you can find Megan on LinkedIn, and GitHub. Or visit her website: MeganBloemsma.comAbout Betatalks: watch our videos and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn and Bluesky.

In this episode of Betatalks, Andreas Wänqvist shares his journey from reluctant web developer to AI architect at Voyado, an Aurelia core team member, and Microsoft MVP. We discuss AI’s evolution in software development, from early skepticism about GitHub Copilot to embracing it as a game-changing assistant. Through personal stories and professional insights, we explore AI’s role in enhancing user experiences beyond simple chatbot implementations. Touching on Andreas' background with Aurelia and web frameworks, he highlights the rapid pace of technological change while remaining optimistic about AI’s potential to simplify tasks, automate processes, and unlock new possibilities.About this episode, and Andreas Wänqvist in particular: you can find Andreas on LinkedIn, and Twitter.About Betatalks: watch our videos and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn and Bluesky.

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.About this episode, and Shawn Wildermuth in particular: you can find Shawn on LinkedIn, or Bluesky. Check out his awesome videos or visit his website.About Betatalks: watch our videos and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn and Bluesky.

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 strong belief in the transformative power of technology.About this episode, and Panu Oksala in particular: you can find Panu on LinkedIn, or Bluesky. Or, visit his website Panu Oksala - C#, Fabric, Azure, Data, AI, Passion.About Betatalks: watch our videos and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn and Bluesky.

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 the gap between low-code and pro-code approaches. Additionally, we dive into his involvement in organizing the Festive Tech Calendar and Keith's ongoing passion for learning and development. About this episode, and Keith Atherton in particular: you can find Keith on LinkedIn, or Bluesky. Or, visit his website keithatherton.com.About Betatalks: watch our videos and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn and Bluesky.

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 enhances business logic in software development. Finally, we wrap up with his insights on the future of cloud computing, Blazor, and Kubernetes.About this episode, and Rocky Lhotka in particular: you can find Rocky on LinkedIn, GitHub or Bluesky. Or, visit his website Rockford Lhotka | lhotka.net.About Betatalks: watch our videos and follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn.

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 storytelling, overcoming imposter syndrome, and fostering a welcoming tech community. He reflects on his unique career path, blending programming, stand-up comedy, and tech advocacy.About this episode, and Rendle in particular: you can find Rendle on LinkedIn or Bluesky. Or, visit his website rendle.dev. If you want to book The Line Breakers or learn more about them, visit their website. About Betatalks: watch our videos and follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn.

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 connectivity issues.About this episode, and Wesley Noordam in particular: you can find Wesley on LinkedIn.About Betatalks: watch our videos and follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn.