February 2021 Summaries

The blog post by Travis Webb discusses the complexities and challenges associated with mainframe modernization and migration, highlighting three common antipatterns: big bang rewrite, lift-and-shift migration, and in-place modernization. Each antipattern is characterized by its potential pitfalls and high risk of failure, with the big bang rewrite requiring significant time and capital investment, the lift-and-shift approach offering limited benefits due to continued reliance on proprietary mainframe systems, and in-place modernization often resulting in minimal improvements while maintaining existing limitations. The post suggests that while these approaches can sometimes work under specific conditions, they generally present significant risks such as budget overruns, unanticipated complexity, and limited return on investment. It also points out that these antipatterns can leave organizations with persistent issues like shrinking mainframe talent pools and a stagnant vendor ecosystem. The document further highlights Google Cloud's resources and services that can assist in overcoming these challenges and achieving a successful transition, offering strategies applicable to various platforms and architectures.

Google has announced the selection of 12 innovative startups for its inaugural Google for Startups Accelerator: Voice AI program, which is a 10-week digital initiative designed to support North American voice technology startups in scaling their businesses. The selected companies, including Babbly, Bespoken, and nēdl, leverage voice user interfaces to tackle challenges in areas such as accessibility, education, and healthcare. The program, which begins on March 15, 2021, focuses on product design, technical infrastructure, customer acquisition, and leadership development, offering participants access to a network of mentors and industry leaders. It will culminate in a Demo Day on May 20, 2021, where the startups will showcase their progress and achievements.

In observance of Black History Month, Google Registry's #MyDomain video series showcases six Black tech creators who are making significant impacts in the digital space, reflecting the initiative's commitment to diverse representation. Among the creators is Dairien Boyd, who developed a presentation tool for virtual meetings; Benjamin Williams, who launched a journaling app to encourage creative expression during the pandemic; and Rhianna Jones, who advocates for "Afrovisibility" through natural hair emojis. The series also highlights Michael Broughton, who created a credit-building app; Edward Cunningham, who co-founded a platform connecting high school seniors with college students; and Adesina Tyler, a high school junior who launched an online retail store as part of Google's Code Next program. These stories emphasize the importance of diverse voices in tech and encourage others to share their unique experiences in the industry.