April 2022 Summaries

Function as a service (FaaS), also known as serverless computing, is gaining popularity among developers due to its simplicity and cost savings. FaaS allows developers to focus solely on coding and development for their applications without worrying about maintaining servers. It shines when used for simple and repetitive functions without consistent workloads or high volumes of requests. Some popular use cases for FaaS include APIs for web and mobile applications, multimedia processing, data processing, and the Internet of Things (IoT).

In 2019, DigitalOcean launched the Marketplace to provide builders with easy installation and management of software packages on Droplets and Kubernetes clusters. The platform now offers Add-Ons, which are SaaS solutions that run in the cloud and can be accessed on demand. These Add-Ons benefit developers by quickly adding new capabilities to their projects without requiring them to install or manage software. They also simplify account management, provide transparent pricing, and ensure provider-managed security and maintenance. Some popular Add-Ons include Plesk's 360 Monitoring, Better Stack's Logtail and Better Uptime, SnapShooter for backups, Helpy Pro for ticketing and customer support, SolarWinds Papertrail for log management, WayScript for automation and DevOps, MemCachier for performance optimization, Bit.io for data management, Cloudanix for security, and SOOS for software security. DigitalOcean encourages vendors to submit their Add-Ons to the Marketplace to reach a wider audience of passionate builders across the world.

DigitalOcean has embraced a remote-first work environment, emphasizing a healthy work-life balance, employee well-being, and a supportive global culture. Employees benefit from flexible work options that include permanent remote work, office amenities, and a global WeWork subscription for those who prefer an office setting. The company conducts regular employee sentiment surveys to ensure feedback is heard and acted upon, maintaining a focus on employee satisfaction as a key performance metric. Wellness support is provided through stipends, mental wellness app subscriptions, and initiatives like "Sammy Recharge Days" and open PTO policies. DigitalOcean fosters an inclusive culture where employees can be themselves, supported by Employee Resource Groups and a core value of love. The company strives to maintain a space that values diversity, inclusion, and well-being, encouraging potential candidates to explore career opportunities with them.

GitOps is an operational approach where every aspect of a project's infrastructure, including infrastructure as code files, configuration files, and application code files, are stored in git repositories. Changes to these files trigger updates to the cloud infrastructure or applications. Organizations using Kubernetes often use GitOps. In this example, a platform engineering team builds a DigitalOcean Managed Kubernetes Cluster using Terraform, with FluxCD monitoring changes made to the Git repo and applying them to the infrastructure. The application development team then deploys their application inside the Kubernetes cluster by creating Helm manifests stored in a Git repository monitored by Flux. Advantages of GitOps include continuous delivery, transparency, and easier auditing. Using GitOps for managing containerized workloads is increasingly popular with Kubernetes being another tool that can be operated declaratively through Git.

DigitalOcean has partnered with GitHub to improve security and automation in API access token management. The new tokens have distinct prefixes for easier identification and automation. Additionally, users can now find the last used date of a token, set an expiration date when generating personal access tokens, and benefit from secret scanning by GitHub. These improvements aim to enhance security and help users make better-informed decisions about their API tokens.

Scalability is crucial for startups aiming to grow exponentially. Infrastructure not designed for scalability can lead to failures, crashes, and data loss. Managed products like DigitalOcean's App Platform or managed Kubernetes provide efficient scaling options. Organizations should build infrastructures with scalability in mind from the beginning, considering how their application will grow, deploy, and manage instances using cloud management tools. Kubernetes is a popular option for building scalable infrastructure, offering advantages like maintaining smaller operations teams, easier scalability, self-healing systems, and future-proofing businesses.

DigitalOcean has released updates on its products and services, including the latest version of Kubernetes, new must-have Kubernetes 1-Click Applications, and improvements to its Managed Databases (DBaaS) and Droplets (IaaS). The company also announced the return of Break the Code, a game that offers prizes worth up to $30,000. Additionally, DigitalOcean hosted Tech Talks on securing Kubernetes Ingress with Let's Encrypt and migrating databases to its platform with minimal downtime.

DigitalOcean has launched a new social impact program called DO Impact, committing $50 million to support various causes globally. The company's mission is to simplify cloud computing and empower changemakers through products and philanthropy. DO Impact will provide infrastructure credits, cash grants, and mentoring opportunities for organizations making an impact in their local communities and beyond. Some of the first grantees include Unicodemy, Project Sitara Foundation, and the Federation of Humanitarian Technologists. DigitalOcean also plans to involve its employees more actively in community work and sustainability initiatives. The company encourages non-profit organizations to partner with them for support.

Apple Pay is now available as a payment option on DigitalOcean, allowing users to create an account and make recurring payments using the service. This addition aligns with DigitalOcean's mission to simplify cloud computing for developers and businesses. Users can set up Apple Pay by linking their credit or debit card to their wallet and signing in to their Apple account. The payment information is sent securely and not stored by DigitalOcean. To use Apple Pay, users must have a Safari-based browser with iOS 10 or macOS Sierra, be signed in, and have Apple Pay set up on their device.

Choosing the right tech stack is crucial for startups as it influences the efficiency, scalability, and growth potential of applications, encompassing both frontend and backend elements like HTML, CSS, JavaScript, operating systems, programming languages, databases, and performance monitoring services. Startups should assess their current and future business needs, team capabilities, growth goals, security requirements, budget, and non-negotiables to make informed decisions that can future-proof their tech stack. Many companies opt for Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) to eliminate the need for physical hardware, offering flexibility and cost-efficiency, while decisions on operating systems and programming languages should consider versatility, security, and team familiarity. Database management systems are vital for data handling, and performance monitoring services ensure optimal user experience. Startups can choose between self-managed and managed tech options, with managed services offering convenience and reduced maintenance stress, despite additional costs. DigitalOcean provides various tools and services to aid startups in building and growing their applications, supporting different types of applications from simple websites to complex SaaS solutions.