Rick and Oscar talk with Alvin Ashcroft, Senior Content Developer at Microsoft, about how AI is transforming developer documentation. Alvin explains how tools like Copilot and MCP servers help improve Microsoft’s technical content. They discuss the rise of local AI models, Windows AI APIs, and the shift toward open-source collaboration. Alvin also shares his career journey and passion for community-driven projects. About this episode, and Alvin Ashcraft in particular: you can find Alvin...

In this Betatalks episode, Rick and Oscar talk with Paula Januszkiewicz, founder and CEO of CQURE, a Cybersecurity Expert, Microsoft MVP, and passionate speaker. Paula shares how cybersecurity evolved from curiosity-driven exploration to a professional, high-stakes discipline shaped by major technological shifts. She highlights the move from one-time penetration tests to continuous security practices and the power of storytelling in making cybersecurity engaging. Paula also reflects on her ro...

In this Betatalks episode, Rick and Oscar talk with Jelle Fremery, who moved from psychology into software development and now works as a Principal Cloud and AI Architect at Betabit. They discuss how his background influences his approach to technology and the rise of generative AI. They reflect on the power and unpredictability of Large Language Models (LLMs). Jelle stresses the importance of human oversight, security, and ethics in AI. They end with an optimistic look at AI’s future in soft...

In this Betatalks episode, Rick and Oscar are joined by Jelle Fremery, Principal AI Architect at Betabit. They look back at the evolution of .NET and C#, discussing coding styles and records. They compare how newcomer TUnit stacks up against titans NUnit and xUnit. The hosts also discuss Azure’s growing tools, including Logic Apps and the Durable Task Scheduler, and share experiences adapting to new coding practices. They reflect on AI advances like GPT-5 and the importance of appreciating ra...

In this Betatalks episode, Rick and Oscar talk with Christian Peeters, a principal Cloud Architect at Betabit and a certified Microsoft trainer. They discuss the intersection of technology, teaching, and continuous learning in software development. They explore emerging tools like vector databases and Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG), breaking down their complexity while stressing the importance of grounding AI models in real data to ensure trustworthiness. About this episode, and Christi...

In this Betatalks episode, Rick and Oscar talk with Jos Eilers, a cloud principal at Twyzer, about his path from engineering to cloud and data platforms, focusing on the rise of Microsoft Fabric. Jos highlights how Fabric unifies data engineering, science, and business intelligence, while simplifying access with features like OneLake. They also discuss challenges around compute resources, the importance of planning capacity, and the critical role of data quality. About this episode, a...

In this Betatalks episode, Rick and Oscar talk with Bram Albers, Principal Quality Assurance at Betabit, about how software testing has evolved from an afterthought to a core part of development. They discuss how automation and AI improve efficiency but risk reducing critical thinking, making tester instincts and skepticism essential, and Bram warns against confirmation bias while stressing the value of exploratory testing to uncover issues automation might miss. The conversation challenges t...

In this podcast episode, Rick and Oscar discuss Virtual Vaults' journey of evolving their cloud infrastructure. They reflect on the shift from early cloud deployments to modern containerized solutions, detailing their use of Azure technologies like web roles, app services, and Azure Functions. Emphasizing a pragmatic and incremental approach, they highlight the importance of continuous learning, experimentation, and adaptability. About Betatalks: watch our podcast videos and follow us o...

In this Betatalks episode, Rick and Oscar talk with Jamie Maguire, a Microsoft MVP in AI and a certified Azure AI engineer associate. Jamie shares his journey from documenting his technical insights through blogging to becoming an active contributor to the tech community. They reflect on the evolution of AI from manual language processing to powerful tools like Semantic Kernel and discuss his hands-on approach to learning through projects such as a Raspberry Pi-based home security system. Jam...

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 sh...

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 thra...

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. Abou...

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 ...

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 t...