Lessons from Building Tagged.com + AI-Driven Database Optimization with Johann Schleier-Smith

Lessons from Building Tagged.com + AI-Driven Database Optimization with Johann Schleier-Smith

Author: Software Huddle December 11, 2024 Duration: 56:13
Today, we’re joined by Johann Schleier-Smith. Johann co-founded Tagged during the early days of social media, a time when building scalable systems for the web was uncharted territory. Back then, cloud computing didn’t exist—everything ran on on-premises servers or in co-located data centers. We discuss the challenges of scaling Tagged and draw parallels to the current wave of innovation around Generative AI and large language models. Johann shares how building with these technologies feels like a similar uphill climb. We also dive into his new venture, CrystalDBA, and how it’s leveraging AI to optimize databases, making advanced database management accessible to everyone.

Every week on Software Huddle, Alex DeBrie and Sean Falconer sit down with a different expert from across the tech landscape. The conversations are less about quick tips and more about substantive discussions, digging into the real challenges and decisions behind building software, launching products, and navigating the industry's constant shifts. You'll hear from practitioners who have been in the trenches, offering perspectives that blend deep technical knowledge with hard-won business and entrepreneurial experience. Alex brings his specialized expertise as the author of The DynamoDB Book and an AWS Data Hero, while Sean contributes a unique viewpoint shaped by over two decades as an engineer, founder, and marketing executive, recognized as a Snowflake Data Superhero. Together, they create a space where complex topics in software development and technology trends become accessible and genuinely engaging. This podcast is for anyone who wants to move beyond surface-level news and understand the "why" behind the tools and strategies shaping our digital world. Tune in for a thoughtful huddle that feels more like a candid conversation between colleagues than a formal interview.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 79

Software Huddle
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