The hottest Data Management Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

The History and Evolution of Open Table Formats - Part I

Practical Data Engineering Substack • 2 HN points • 15 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Data Management Big Data Database Systems Data Engineering
  1. Open Table Formats have changed how we store and manage data, making it easier to work with different systems and tools without being locked into one software.
  2. The transition from traditional databases to open table formats has increased flexibility and allowed for better collaboration across various platforms, especially in data lakes.
  3. Despite their advantages, old formats like Hive still face issues like slow performance and over-partitioning, which can make data management challenging as companies grow.

AI Observability, Orchestration, Consolidation

Gradient Flow • 179 implied HN points • 26 May 22
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Data Engineering Data Management Computer Vision
  1. Companies are likely to use at most two platforms for managing the entire machine learning pipeline: one for exploration and another for deployment and operations.
  2. Prefect 2.0 is a popular framework for data and workflow orchestration, emphasizing 'code as workflows' to address data engineering challenges.
  3. The survey on workflow orchestration tools revealed a growing interest in these systems, with startups raising over $450 million in funding for orchestration solutions.

Introducing Orchestra: rapidly Build and Monitor Data and AI Products

The Orchestra Data Leadership Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Data Management Artificial Intelligence Software Engineering Data Visualization Cloud Computing
  1. Launching a free tier for Orchestra, a tool to build and monitor data and AI products, offering a lightweight approach to improving business value and AI integration.
  2. Addressing the challenges faced by data teams in balancing business value and software engineering best practices through tools like Nessie, dbt, and emerging 'as-code' BI platforms.
  3. Providing an end-to-end platform with features like declarative pipelines, data quality monitoring, granular alert control, and asset-based data lineage to empower data teams in accelerating their initiatives.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Risk Tolerance & Raising the Technical Debt Ceiling

Resilient Cyber • 79 implied HN points • 22 May 23
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Data Management Risk Assessment Software Development
  1. Many organizations don't clearly define their risk tolerance in cybersecurity, impacting their ability to manage risks effectively. If a company doesn't know what risks it faces, it can't protect itself properly.
  2. There's a significant gap in measuring and understanding risks, especially with the rise of cloud services and software. Organizations often struggle to keep track of what software and hardware they use, leading to hidden vulnerabilities.
  3. Organizations are facing a backlog of vulnerabilities that they can't keep up with. If too many risks are left unresolved, it raises questions about their actual risk appetite and ability to protect themselves.

Authorization in microservice architecture, P0: Introduction

Hung's Notes • 3 HN points • 18 Jul 24
🕹 Technology Software Security Architecture Data Management Access Control
  1. Building a solid authorization system in microservices is tough since there aren’t clear guidelines. It's vital to share experiences for better solutions.
  2. Managing permissions can get complicated as a business grows. A better approach is needed to handle access control efficiently.
  3. Security is critical in public safety products, and proper access management helps maintain trust and legal compliance.

Time Scales of UX: From 0.1 Seconds to 100 Years

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 50 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🕹 Technology User Experience Web Design AI Organizational Change Data Management
  1. User experience is not a place or thing, but it unfolds over time.
  2. The time scales in UX range from 0.1 seconds to 100 years, with a huge variability.
  3. Design decisions in UX can impact events that last from a fraction of a second to a century, requiring a broad perspective and high IQ to navigate effectively.

Using Azure Open AI with Microsoft Sentinel Part 1 - Getting Keys and Endpoints

Rod’s Blog • 39 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Cloud Computing AI Data Management Cybersecurity Programming
  1. Consider transitioning from Logic App connector for Open AI ChatGPT to Azure Open AI's ChatGPT for more control over data.
  2. When working with Azure Open AI models, deployments should be done in the Azure console, not Azure OpenAI Studio, and need patience for the API to become accessible.
  3. In Microsoft Sentinel, use best practices like storing API keys and endpoints in Parameters for calls to Azure Open AI deployments.

Data classification mastery: 5 simple categories for handling sensitive information

Deploy Securely • 19 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Data Management Cybersecurity Data Privacy Regulations AI Governance
  1. Effective AI governance requires clear data classification policies and procedures.
  2. Avoid unnecessarily complex ascending levels of data sensitivity for easier management.
  3. Utilize practical categories like Public, Confidential-Internal, and Confidential-External for better data handling.

Securing Data in an AI-First World with Microsoft Purview

Rod’s Blog • 19 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Data security AI Microsoft Data Management Compliance
  1. Microsoft Purview is a top industry solution for managing data estates, offering governance, protection, and management.
  2. The latest enhancements to Microsoft Purview and Microsoft Defender focus on securing data in the context of generative AI, providing visibility, protection, and compliance controls.
  3. Organizations can leverage Microsoft Purview and Microsoft Defender to securely adopt AI, ensuring data protection while harnessing AI's full potential.

(1/3) “Relational Database Management: A Status Report” [Chris Date, 1983]

Minimal Modeling • 101 implied HN points • 10 May 23
🕹 Technology Databases Programming Data Management Database Systems
  1. The video discusses the historical background of relational databases, starting in 1983.
  2. Key points include the slow process of database system installation and the importance of primary keys in database design.
  3. Discussion on relational operations like join and divide, emphasizing the significance of these operations in practical database management.

Orphan, Shadow, and Zombie APIs

The API Changelog • 4 implied HN points • 02 Nov 24
🕹 Technology APIs Software Development Cloud Data Management
  1. APIs can be categorized based on their usage and management status. Knowing if an API is 'orphan', 'shadow', or 'zombie' helps understand if it's being used or managed properly.
  2. An 'orphan' API is one that is documented but not used, wasting resources without serving a purpose.
  3. A 'shadow' API is used but not documented or managed, while a 'zombie' API is outdated but still running, consuming resources without support.

Tokenization, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Vault

Money in Transit • 19 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Security Payments Data Management Startups Tokenization
  1. Tokenization is a powerful way to reduce costs and secure card payments by isolating parts of payment applications for PCI compliance.
  2. Tokens are non-exploitable and require a vault to store the actual data, providing security in case of a breach.
  3. Using Tokenization as a Service providers can strengthen a startup's position by avoiding vendor lock-in and enhancing pricing power.

Metricalypse Now

davidj.substack • 107 implied HN points • 15 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Data Management Analytics Software Integration BI Tools Commercialization
  1. Two approaches to metrics layers: wide datasets without defined data models vs. defined data model for more powerful metrics.
  2. Importance of new semantic layer by dbt Labs acquiring Transform for a universal standalone analytics solution.
  3. Opportunity for data consumption vendors to integrate with new dbt semantic layer for a ubiquitous solution.

6 Technologies you Should Know as a Software Engineer in 2023

Implementing • 19 implied HN points • 18 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Development Frameworks Tools Courses Data Management
  1. Importance of continuous learning in the field of web development, especially in mastering foundational concepts like math and computer science.
  2. Key technologies like Docker, Node.js, Git, Elasticsearch, Redis, and React are essential for developers to learn for successful software engineering in 2024.
  3. Utilizing online resources like free YouTube videos, paid courses on platforms like Udemy, and official documentation can assist in gaining proficiency in various technologies.

Sort Product Update – September 2024

Database Engineering by Sort • 7 implied HN points • 03 Sep 24
🕹 Technology Software APIs Data Management Product Updates Collaboration
  1. The Sort API is now live and allows users to manage their data workflows completely online. You can access all the features you find in the Sort web app through the API.
  2. There’s a new feature called the Sort Playground that makes it easier for users to try out and request data changes. It’s user-friendly and allows anyone to add or edit data easily.
  3. Sort is open to feedback and suggestions from users. If you have ideas for improvements, you can reach out to them directly.

Will active metadata eat the orchestrator?

Data People Etc. • 88 implied HN points • 27 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Data Management Metadata Data Governance Collaboration Innovation
  1. Active metadata is a dynamic way to manage and use metadata across different parts of the data stack.
  2. Active metadata can potentially replace triggering mechanism aspect of data orchestrators, but not the optimization intelligence.
  3. The true value of active metadata lies in empowering business users by acting as a personal data assistant.

Clouded Judgement 2.7.25 - "Group + Triage" AI Systems

Clouded Judgement • 4 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Systems Software Cloud Computing Data Management Automation
  1. AI can really help with organizing and prioritizing tasks in many areas like customer support and fraud detection. This means faster and more efficient decision-making for businesses.
  2. Cloud software companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google are seeing some slower growth lately. It's important to keep an eye on how they perform in future reports.
  3. The value of a software company is often based on its revenue, especially when it's not profitable yet. Understanding these valuation methods can help investors make smarter choices.

Resiliency beyond the Classic Circuit Breaker

System Design Classroom • 2 HN points • 10 Jul 24
🕹 Technology System Design Software Engineering Data Management APIs
  1. To handle system failures, you can use different strategies like 'Fail Fast' which stops operations quickly to save resources. But this can affect user experience because they won't get a chance to recover from the error.
  2. Another approach is 'Fail Silent', where instead of showing an error, the system quietly returns a default value. It helps keep things running smoothly, but users might miss important information if data is missing.
  3. Lastly, there's 'Custom Fallback', which uses saved local data when a service fails. This keeps the service active, but the information might be outdated, which can confuse users.

Zero ELT could be the death of the Modern Data Stack

The Orchestra Data Leadership Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 13 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Data Analysis Data Tools Data Management Data Integration
  1. Zero ELT aims to streamline data processing by eliminating traditional extraction, loading, and transformation tools.
  2. Zero ELT tools are evolving to focus more on use-case specialization rather than functional grounds, leading to a trade-off between stack complexity and having the best tool for the job.
  3. Zero ELT tools, while promising in simplifying processes, may create data silos, lack interoperability with other tools, and bring about stack complexity issues.

This once hot data trend from a few months ago got resuscitated by our industry’s data sweetheart

The Orchestra Data Leadership Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 27 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Data Management Data Infrastructure Data Orchestration Software Tools
  1. Data Mesh is a decentralized approach to enterprise data management, focusing on distributed datasets and data ownership within domains.
  2. DBT Mesh is a set of features that allow multiple teams to work on dbt projects with less friction, enabling separate repositories and orchestration capabilities.
  3. Having separate dbt jobs run across projects on a schedule is limited, requiring external workflow orchestration tools for more flexibility.

GroupBy #6: Meta developer tool, trillions of data points at Discord and Uber's data cycle management

VuTrinh. • 19 implied HN points • 24 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Data Engineering AI Software Development Data Management Systems Architecture
  1. Meta has introduced developer tools that help manage large-scale projects efficiently. These tools assist engineers in solving problems and improving systems.
  2. Big companies like Discord and Uber are using massive data points to create valuable insights. This helps them to effectively manage their data and understand trends better.
  3. Data engineering continues to evolve, with tools like BigQuery and dbt Mesh enhancing data practices. Staying updated with these tools can improve data analysis and management.

I fought a DDoS and lived to tell the tale

FunkByteTech • 3 HN points • 03 Jun 24
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Cloud Computing Web Development Network Security Data Management
  1. Prepare for unexpected challenges like DDoS attacks by having suitable defenses like Web Application Firewalls (WAF) in place.
  2. Stay vigilant and adaptive during a DDoS attack, making use of tools like Load Balancer access logs and being ready to block traffic from unwanted sources.
  3. After facing a DDoS attack, reflect on the experience to learn and improve, reinforcing your defense mechanisms for potential future attacks.

New inputs/outputs, new windowing, and recent improvements in Bytewax v 0.16.0

Bytewax • 19 implied HN points • 18 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Software Development Open Source Data Management Code Optimization Community Engagement
  1. Bytewax v0.16 brings major improvements to custom inputs, windowing, and execution.
  2. There are various breaking changes, such as reworking multiprocessing and partitioned input/output.
  3. Recent improvements in Bytewax prioritize not just new features and bug fixes, but also code consistency and quality of life enhancements.

Why You’re Missing The Point Of Analytics

Three Data Point Thursday • 19 implied HN points • 05 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Data Analytics Data Management Data products Data Storage
  1. Analytics and Business Intelligence are about turning data into actionable insights, not just analyzing historical data.
  2. Separating data into 'hot' and 'cold' categories can lead to cost savings and less complexity in data management.
  3. Be cautious of the term 'data product' as it can have different meanings to different people, and ensure clarity in hiring, marketing, and tool usage.

What Suboptimal Public Transit and Your Data Pipelines Have in Common

Bytes, Data, Action! • 19 implied HN points • 05 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Data Pipelines Public Transit Monitoring Data Orchestration Data Management
  1. Public transit and data pipelines both aim to move things from point A to point B smoothly and quickly.
  2. Issues like delays, lack of visibility, and missed connections can disrupt the experiences of both public transit and data pipelines.
  3. Efficient, transparent, and reliable practices are key to ensuring a smooth journey for both public transit users and data pipelines.

The Oracle Effect

Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM • 19 implied HN points • 02 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Cloud Computing Artificial Intelligence Enterprise Software Data Management Healthcare Technology
  1. Oracle wants to make the cloud more accessible and open for everyone. They believe it's important for all companies to have equal access to cloud technology.
  2. They are pushing to enhance the use of generative AI in business applications and are working on new tools for industries like healthcare.
  3. Oracle has set an ambitious target to grow their company by $15 billion in three years. They want to stand out among big cloud providers like AWS and Google Cloud.