Speaking at MMS 2023

MMS is back for 2023 and it’s back in Minnesota! Here is the main MMS website:

https://mmsmoa.com

I am honored to be speaking again at MMS. I will be on a panel and co-present 2 sessions. You can check out all of my sessions here:

https://mms2023atmoa.sched.com/speaker/buchatech

I will be speaking on:

Azure Arc: Deliver Proven Governance, Security, and Monitoring at Virtually No Cost!” with a good friend John Joyner!

Securing Your Hybrid and Multi-Cloud Servers Using Azure Arc” with another good friend Kristopher Turner!

I will also be part of the “Ask the Experts: Everything You Want to Know About Azure Arc” panel with a bunch of rockstars.


If you are at MMS 2023 be sure to check out my sessions: https://mms2023atmoa.sched.com/speaker/buchatech

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20th Pluralsight Course Published – “Getting Started with Drupal”

Last week I published a new course on Pluralsight. This one is a milestone as it marks my 20th course! This course is titled “Getting Started with Drupal“. Startups, enterprises and more continue to adopt content management systems at a fast rate with Drupal being one of the top Content Management Systems used.

Drupal is one of the top choices for startups and enterprises. It is used for many uses from web apps, marketing tools, e-commerce, and even a company’s main website.

I have been working with Drupal and other content management systems in various aspects for over sixteen years. I have used Drupal for my own websites, hosted it for businesses, administered Drupal sites for customers, Drupal development for customers, and even managed the development of Drupal modules. With all of my history with Drupal, I was excited when the opportunity came up to build a course about it.

This course is ideal for bloggers, entrepreneurs, Product Managers, Marketing managers, Marketing executives, Marketing consultants, Marketing employees, web developers, project managers, business analysts, web designers, graphic designers, UX/UI, designers, and anyone interested in content management systems specifically Drupal.

This course will take you from little to no knowledge of Drupal to a place where you can be confident enough to get started. Whether you want to create a personal blog, a business website, or an online store, Drupal is a skill you should have and this course has you covered.

In this course, Getting Started with Drupal, you’ll learn its many uses, features, tech stack, and you’ll also explore hosting it. Next, you’ll learn how to install it. Finally, you’ll discover its user interface and general configuration.

Some of the major topics that are covered in this course include:

  1. Core Drupal knowledge.
  2. About its tech stack such as web servers like Apache, language PHP, Composer, Drush, & databases like MySQL & how these work with Drupal.
  3. How to acquire a domain & hosting for Drupal.
  4. & Finally, how to install and configure Drupal.

By the end of this course, you will have a better understanding of content management systems, & Drupal itself, its uses, features, & tech stack. As well as knowledge of how to get a domain name, hosting, and install Drupal along with a tour of its interface and general configuration.

This course is the 1st in a Drupal Path named “Drupal Fundamentals” on Pluralsight. The 2nd course in the path is “Drupal 10 Site Administration”. You can check out the full path here:

https://www.pluralsight.com/paths/drupal-fundamentals

Check out the “Getting Started with Drupal“ course here:

https://www.pluralsight.com/courses/drupal-getting-started

I hope you find value in this new Getting Started with Drupal course. Be sure to follow my profile on Pluralsight so you will be notified as I release new courses

Here is the link to my Pluralsight profile to follow me:

https://www.pluralsight.com/authors/steve-buchanan

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Co-hosting a Learn Live “Linux on Azure” session in the Azure Core IaaS Study Hall

I am excited to be a part of another Learn Live series. This study hall is all about Azure core IaaS. In this series, we will walk through how to build infrastructure solutions with Azure IaaS services and products. This twenty two-part weekly series will answer your questions live and walk through how to build infrastructure solutions with Azure IaaS services and products.

In the study hall sessions, together with you live, we will work through Microsoft Learn modules focused on various IaaS scenarios in Azure. You can see all of the sessions in this study hall series here:

Learn Live: Azure Core IaaS Study Hall – Events | Microsoft Learn

The series has a solid lineup of speakers from Microsoft and the community! And I will be co-delivering a session focused on Linux on Azure and the 2nd topic will be on open-source database migration on Azure.

Here is a complete description of my session:

Discover the unique benefits of running Linux on Azure, and how to run Linux-based applications and workloads in the cloud with Azure. Then you’ll learn about the issues and considerations for migrating on-premises open-source databases to Azure, the services Azure provides to help you migrate your databases, and how to plan a migration. In this episode, you will:

  • Differentiate between Linux on Azure infrastructure as a service (IaaS) and platform as a service (PaaS) computing, and the value of each
  • Describe Azure tools and services that bring additional value to Linux workloads
  • Explain the components of Linux virtual infrastructure in Azure, and the role of Microsoft in supporting different Linux distributions
  • Describe the features and services available in Azure for hosting an open-source database
  • Explain the key considerations for implementing a migration project
  • Describe different approaches that you can take for migrating databases

This event will be on March 30, 2023, at 10:00AM – 11:30AM (Pacific).

Register here:

https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/reactor/events/18744/

***Update***

If you missed the live session don’t worry. The recording of it posted already. Here is the link to the recording:

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Giving Keynote – Networking is more relevant than ever in a cloud-native world

I will be giving the Keynote at the next (MN)NUG (Minnesota Networking User Group) event on December 6th. (MN)NUG is a part of the (US)NUA (US Networking User Association) organization that hosts a vendor-neutral environment to talk networks. With beer.

After my talk, there will be a panel of networking experts from Target, Cologix, Cisco, and Arista Networks.

Here is my talk info:

Title:

Networking is more relevant than ever in a cloud-native world (cloud & Kubernetes)

Abstract:

Folks are often so focused on the new and shiny stuff in modern technology such as cloud, Kubernetes, and DevOps, however, core skills such as networking are as relevant as ever and one of the top skills one should have when working with these modern technologies. In this session, Steve is going to explore why you should start with networking when embarking on a journey into the cloud or Kubernetes.

Here is the full schedule:

4:30pm – 5:00pm Check-In / Open Mingle

5:00pm – 5:50pm Keynote Presentation Networking more relevant than ever in a cloud-native world (cloud & Kubernetes)

5:50pm – 6:15pm Break

6:15pm – 7:15pm Panel Discussion Emerging Networking Ideas & Trends

7:15pm – 7:30pm Open Mingle

If you have an unwrapped donation for “Toys for Tots” you may bring it to this event for drop off.

Full event info and registration here:

https://events.bizzabo.com/441464

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GitOps Fundamentals Certification

Recently Codefresh launched the 1st certification in its GitOps certification path. This one is called “GitOps Fundamentals“. You can find it here: https://codefresh.learnworlds.com .

It takes you through the basics of GitOps to gain theoretical knowledge, and how to utilize Argo CD as the GitOps operator to gain hands-on knowledge. You will learn about both and will have questions on both in the quizzes and final exam.

They also touch on Argo Rollouts to go over Progressive Delivery with topics such as blue/green deployments and canary deployments. This is the 1st ever GitOps certification and it’s free! They do have plans for GitOps at Edge and GitOps at Scale certifications.

You can find more information about the GitOps certification and Codefresh’s future plans for it on this blog by Hannah Seligson (one of the authors of the course and exam) here: https://codefresh.io/blog/get-gitops-certified-argo.

I jumped all over this opportunity to get certified on GitOps, by signing up for the course, taking the training, and the exam! I passed and now I am GitOps certified.

Here is the certification:

GitOps is gaining adoption more and more every day in the Kubernetes space. Also, Argo CD is growing extremely fast as one of the top if not the top GitOps operator. I recommend you check this Codefresh GitOps certification out and get GitOps certified as this pattern and the technology behind it are growing at a super fast rate.

Also note, it looks like Weaveworks is planning to launch a “Certified GitOps Practitioner (CGP)” certification soon. I would guess the Weaveworks GitOps certification will contain content on Flux another GitOps operator. You can learn more about their coming GitOps certification here: https://www.weave.works/certified-gitops-practitioner

Also for more training on GitOps and Argo CD be sure to check out my GitOps and Argo CD courses on Pluralsight here:

GitOps: The Big Picture“:

https://app.pluralsight.com/library/courses/gitops-the-big-picture

Getting Started with Argo CD“:

https://app.pluralsight.com/library/courses/argo-cd-getting-started

And here is the link to my Pluralsight profile to follow me for future GitOps, Kubernetes, Cloud, and DevOps content: https://app.pluralsight.com/profile/author/steve-buchanan

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Guest on the 1st episode of Tech/Life Podcast

A former Microsoft MVP and friend Steve Beaumont started a podcast. I was honored to be a guest on his first episode! The episode was released today. This podcast explores balancing Tech and Life. On the podcast episodes, Steve talks with people within the technology field, discussing both tech and diving into personal lives, stress, learning, and interests.

Steve has a website for the podcast here: www.techvlife.com.

Steve and I had a chance to catch up at MMS 2022 for the episode. We talked about my transition to Microsoft working as a Principal Program Manager in Azure. We also talked about my time practicing Kung Fu, how I stay motivated, make goals, balance tech with hobbies, how tech is one of my hobbies, and balancing that so it does not become another job, Kubernetes, AKS, and more.

Steve already has episodes with many other great folks already. He will be releasing them in the coming weeks. So be sure to subscribe to his podcast. Here are some of the other guests he will have on:


Aria Carley
Justin Chalfant
Ben Whitmore
Mike Danoski
David Segura
Donna Ryan
Mike Marable

You can listen to the 1st episode with me right here:

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16th Pluralsight course – “Laravel The Big Picture” a web framework for modern PHP based web apps

I am excited to announce that I published a Laravel course on Pluralsight! This course is titled “Laravel 9: The Big Picture“. This is my 16th course with Pluralsight. I have been working with PHP based websites, Content Management Systems, Frameworks, and the language off and on for many years. When the opportunity came to author a course on Laravel I jumped on it.

Laravel is a full-stack web framework for modern PHP based web applications. PHP is a language that has been around for a long time used to power most of the web site and web apps on the internet today. And some of the best web development teams in the world build their products with Laravel.

Many don’t know this but Laravel can be used for front-end and back-end development, as well as developing a REST API. Some of the largest companies and most popular websites have been built using Laravel such as Disney, Apple, Pfizer, BBC, Twitch, Mastercard, and more.

In this course, Laravel 9: The Big Picture, you’ll learn about the Laravel full-stack framework. First, you’ll explore Laravel’s core components such as: routing, middleware, controllers, requests, responses, views, blade templates, and more. Next, you’ll discover how to install Laravel, configure it, how it handles security, works with databases, about its APIs and more. Finally, you’ll learn what it is like to develop, build, and deploy an app with Laravel.

When you’re finished with this course, you’ll have the skills and knowledge of Laravel needed to decide if it is the right PHP web framework for you and where to go next on your journey with Laravel.

Check out the new Laravel course here: https://app.pluralsight.com/library/courses/laravel-9-big-picture

I hope you find value in this new Laravel 9: The Big Picture course. Be sure to follow my profile on Pluralsight so you will be notified as I release new courses

Here is the link to my Pluralsight profile to follow mehttps://app.pluralsight.com/profile/author/steve-buchanan

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BIT Talk: Destination Cloud – Pivoting Your Career in Tech

This month I will be a guest speaker at the free Blacks In Technology Twin Cities chapter happy hour event. We will be having a tech career discussion. The topic is: “Destination Cloud – Pivoting Your Career in Tech with Steve Buchanan“.

When: The happy hour event will be on Wed, May 25, 2022, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM.

Location: Modern Well, 2909 S Wayzata Blvd, Minneapolis, MN 55405.

Join us for an evening with me and moderator Brian Waters as we explore career pathways in the Digital Space. Here are topics we will explore:

  • Choosing an area of interest
  • Being Strategic & Intentional in Career Search & Growth
  • Transitioning into Different Tech Disciplines & Industries, and
  • Identifying tech trends on the horizon!

This event is both in-person and virtual. The in-person location is Modern Well, 2909 S Wayzata Blvd, Minneapolis, MN 55405 and the zoom link is below. I hope you can make it out to this event!

Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85049210370?pwd=M0ZQR0twNTlQbTJGOUtDZjloVFA2dz09 or here: https://www.linkedin.com/events/destinationcloud-pivotingyourca6927748171498475520

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15th Pluralsight Course Published – Ember JS

I am excited to announce that I published an Ember.js course on Pluralsight! This course is titled “Ember 4: The Big Picture“. This is my 15th course with Pluralsight. Ember.js is a JavaScript framework used for developing web apps. Some of the best web development teams in the world build their products with Ember.

This course will give an overview of Ember’s components and architecture and a guide to the next steps you can take to get started with Ember. In this course, Ember 4: The Big Picture, you’ll learn about the Ember front-end framework. First, you’ll explore Ember’s core parts: Ember.js, Ember Data, Ember CLI, and Ember Inspector.

Next, you’ll discover Ember’s core concepts: routing, services, and Components. Finally, you’ll learn how to what it is like to develop, build, and deploy an app with Ember.

When you’re finished with this course, you’ll have the skills and knowledge of Ember JS needed to decide if it is the right JavaScript framework for you and where to go next on your journey with Ember.

Check out the new Ember JS course here: https://app.pluralsight.com/library/courses/ember-4-big-picture

I hope you find value in this new Ember 4: The Big Picture course. Be sure to follow my profile on Pluralsight so you will be notified as I release new courses

Here is the link to my Pluralsight profile to follow mehttps://app.pluralsight.com/profile/author/steve-buchanan

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Co-hosting 2 sessions in the Azure Hybrid Cloud Study Hall Series

I am very excited to be a part of a new Microsoft Azure Hybrid Cloud Study Hall series. This is a free fourteen-part weekly series that starts in April running through June.

In this study hall, you will learn how you can manage your on-premises, edge, and multi-cloud resources, and how you can deploy Azure services anywhere with Azure Arc and Azure Stack.

In this series, each session covers working with hybrid cloud resources using Azure services and hybrid cloud technologies. In these sessions we will:

  • Answer your questions live
  • Walk-through how to configure hybrid cloud resources
  • Walk-through how to deploy hybrid cloud resources
  • Walk-through how to manage hybrid cloud resources

In these sessions, together with you, we will work through Microsoft Learn modules focused on Azure Arc and Azure Stack HCI.

We have a solid lineup of speakers from Microsoft and the community! And I will be co-delivering two sessions myself.

Some of the speakers and moderators

Check out this video Microsoft marketing made where I talk about the sessions:

My sessions are:

Introduction to Azure Arc enabled Kubernetes

on May 5, 2022 10:00AM – 11:30AM (Pacific) co-hosting with Pierre Roman. 

Add to Calendar:
https://aka.ms/learnlive-azure-hybrid-cloud-study-hall-Ep7

The Learn Module:
https://aka.ms/learnlive-20220505A

Implement Azure App Service on Kubernetes with Arc

on June 9, 2022 10:00AM – 11:30AM (Pacific) co-hosting with Lior Kamrat.

Add to Calendar:
https://aka.ms/learnlive-azure-hybrid-cloud-study-hall-Ep11

The Learn Module:
https://aka.ms/learnlive-20220609A

Check out all of the Learn Live – Azure Hybrid Cloud Study Hall sessions here:

https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/events/learntv/learnlive-azure-hybrid-cloud-study-hall

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