Michael Vaught

Minecraft seems to roll through my house in waves. We're at another crest and my son asked me about running a server. This time around I'm turning it into a better learning exercise than the last time (8 years ago? He was pretty little still.) We started by getting him to run one on the local windows machine he has. We opened it to friends by setting up port forwarding and sharing our public IP. Not very stable, but it worked. Next he asked about paying for better hosting and I said... let's do something better, but free. I gave him an account on one of my machines and we've been working through having him set it up as a service there. He's learned about ssh keys to securely login to a dedicated account, package management (Debian 12) to get a java environment, how to use tmux to ensure logging out doesn't kill the server process, git to manage the server.properties file and other config, systemd to setup a service so we run without logging in after boot, basic scripting for start and stop, downloading and building a c program for remote control of the server process, process management basics, shell basics, vi basics, etc. He's covered a lot of ground with incremental "homework" steps each night to advance the project. A great learning experience all driven from something he was invested in. (I setup a proper dynamically managed DNS name so he's not at the whim of our dynamic IP address as well.) Minecraft is amazing in more ways than just what the game itself offers.

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I keep hearing about people getting PIP’d instead of laid off. In other words, gaslighting a decently performing employee into thinking they aren’t meeting the bar. If this ever happened to me it would utterly destroy my confidence. I’m generally a high performer but that is very motivated by my intense imposter syndrome. That means I work really really hard to avoid getting bad feedback. So a bunch of arbitrary and unfair nitpicks leading to a PIP would be really tough for me. I have no problem managing out a team member who is actually not performing, but destroying someone’s confidence to save a few dollars on severance is a low I will not stoop to. As managers we have a responsibility to our team members to treat them with dignity and respect, and above all not traumatize them. For me, this absolutely trumps a paycheck. If you are a manager, you need to refuse to do this. It might be “bad” for your career, but is that more important than treating people with dignity and respect? If it is, you shouldn’t be a manager anyway. If you are a company who does this, you don’t deserve good talent.

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🌶🌶🌶 Hot take… Old problem: if we put more devs on the project, we can deliver it sooner. Same thinking, new manifestation: we can hire more overseas devs for less total money to produce the same result as our US staff. Flaw in that thinking: product development is not an assembly line. Devs are not “interchangeable”. Software is as much an art as it is science. It’s a team sport. The people on your team matters. #tech #staffing #management #hiring #jobs #layoffs #software #startup #teamleadership

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🌟 EA tools! 🌟 I've been using Vimcal EA for a few weeks now, and it has transformed how I manage scheduling 🗓️ in an already busy role! If you're an EA looking for a way to boost your productivity and make scheduling a breeze, I highly recommend giving Vimcal EA a try. Thanks Alex Bayer for the demo and connection! #VimcalEA #Productivity #TimeManagement #Efficiency #TechTools

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Do you think you need to hire developers as w2 employees to build a highly-skilled, devoted and culturally aligned team? Let Blueprint show you otherwise. Here's how we're changing the game: 1️⃣ Unmatched Quality: Quality is our creed. Our vetting process includes interviewing with former CTOs and senior software engineers, ensuring only top-tier talent makes it to your team. 2️⃣ Long-Term Commitment: Forget the turnover and churn worries! Our developers stay longer than industry norms for W2 developers (average tenure of 2.2 years), providing stability and continued expertise to your projects. 3️⃣ Cultural Integration: Culture isn't just an add-on for us. We dive deep to understand your core values and ensure every developer we match with your team enhances and embraces your company culture. 4️⃣ Equity is Optional: Save your cap table for your growing startup! We ensure that our developers are passionate believers in your product right from the start - without incentivizing them with equity. We rigorously test for craftsmanship, ensuring they value not just a quality end result but also the journey of creation. 🌟 Shoot us a DM to connect and see how we can improve your staffing strategy. #StaffAugmentation #InnovationInStaffing #TechTalent #CultureFit #LongTermGrowth

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Project update! My application tracking extension is now doing fuzzier matching and injecting new information into LinkedIn (and other sites) to keep me from doubling up on applications. Next up: local storage and bulk import/export operations...

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As many of you know, Dropbox is virtual-first. Most of the time, we work from home, but we also get together for team off-sites and team building. Recently, I had the opportunity to join my team in San Diego for a "Strengths in the Sun" session. We spent time discussing our Gallup Strengths. My biggest takeaway: Instead of spending a lot of energy on improving your weaknesses, know your team's strengths and surround yourself with those whose strengths complement yours.

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Join us in Irvine on July 17th at 6:30 PM for our latest OC ACM talk, "Systems and Software for Averting an Energy Crisis" presented by Bill Gervasi, a Principal Systems Architect for Wolley Inc. For more info or to RSVP click here: https://lnkd.in/gquYQ2z9 According to a recent Forbes article, "The rise of generative AI and surging GPU shipments is causing data centers to scale from tens of thousands to 100,000-plus accelerators, shifting the emphasis to power as a mission-critical problem to solve." making this talk particularly relevant. #acm #techtalk #gpu #ai #generativeai #nvidia #energy #energycrisis

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Video from my recent talk is now available! Learn about how we're building our own developer tools to make frontend engineering fast and fun at Datadog

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Don't fall for the myth that automation is replacing jobs. The transition to automation isn't about job displacement — it's about empowering roles to be more meaningful and impactful. Abhijit Kakhandiki, Chief AI and Innovation Officer at Redwood Software, emphasizes that businesses combining automation with human expertise gain a competitive edge, allowing them to provide better customer and employee experiences, operationalize their strategic initiatives and unlock new possibilities for new growth. Explore how automation is shaping the future of work in Solutions Review: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eJUarDEU #Automation #AI #HumanPotential #IT

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📊 In Jellyfish's 2024 State of Engineering Management Report, we gathered insights from over 600 engineering professionals to uncover the most pressing challenges and trends in 2024. From visibility into project status to the adoption of advanced tooling, the data reveals significant gaps and opportunities. For instance, did you know that 31% of teams struggle with visibility into their projects, with the number rising to 57% in larger organizations? How does your team compare?

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The most disturbing thing I've encountered today on the internet is how easy it is for companies to label someone as 'underperformers' and brutally lay them off, demonstrating a lack of empathy, professionalism, and collaborative work culture. Performance depends on numerous factors such as skills, knowledge, and motivation, but equally crucial is the work culture and environment. Many employees dedicate their lives passionately to their firms, only to find themselves labeled as 'underperformers' and laid off, burdened with mortgages, installments, financial worries, and the unpredictability of it all. I wish strength to each of them and hope they find a way to stay resilient amidst this brutality. Imagine this is ~10% of their workforce 🤯

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Y'alls know accessibility is important to me, and that comes in a lot of forms! I wanted to share out two things I've been working on recently that follow the a11y theme, with Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD) right around the corner: First, plugging the work we've been doing at Ro around building technology to give patients more access to healthcare so they can achieve their health goals via Patient Intake. Intake isn't "just a form" - it's the key way for patients to communicate their health history, goals, and preferences to their providers in a way that feels human. Behind the scenes, we're making sure every piece of information a patient provides is structured to make sure every point is seen and heard so that our providers can deliver the best possible personalized care. More info on the platform here: https://lnkd.in/gC4ru5ip Second, the lovely Elliot Kipling and I caught up on the Enginears podcast last month around healthcare accessibility and digital accessibility in general. The episode dropped today, check it out here: https://lnkd.in/gbGcBvsB

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The Palmyra Atoll, a remote island south of the Hawaii Islands is the setting of Lisa Gardner’s latest thriller “Still See You Everywhere;” and in her acknowledgements she mentions The Nature Conservancy and the Palmyra staff who are making phenomenal strides in the field of ecological restoration, especially rehabilitating coral reefs. Today is Earth Day; if you are interested in learning more about places that are being protected and the work people do in protecting our planet, take a look at what it’s like to work on Palmyra. Working on Palmyra: a Pacific Outpost https://lnkd.in/g3enMVyC If you’re interested in the history of the Palmyra Atoll, the amount of garbage that finds its way to the atoll and what the Nature Conservancy is doing to protect the Palmyra check out the links I have included in the comments below. Sometimes you read a fun fiction mystery you get to learn something, always a win-win 😊 #earthday #hawaii  #book #fiction #climatechange #nature #conservancy #plastic #oceans

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I've tried to decide what to start posting on LinkedIn....and by god it's hard... Do I want to focus on Product Marketing? More on productivity? Being a manager? Trying to be a good human? Challenges of mental health + work? So, I've decided, it'll be D. All of the above. The most pressing topic? The foundation of what makes any of the items above work: Rhythm. Rhytm is defined as "movement marked by the regulated succession of strong and weak elements, or of opposite or different conditions". It's the repeated actions. Over and over again, that come together to build something. (TW) 3 years ago I had a moment where it felt too easy to see life without me in it. At the same time , I got a promotion at work. Something I wanted forever. Quite literally. I knew that I could not continue that way, feeling like I couldn't move forward yet having the golden opportunity in front of me. That's when I shifted by perspective: work was a choice, I was a requirement. That week, I started weekly therapy + psychiatry appointments and a lovely dose of medication. Which spurred brain zaps and less emotions, at the time, it was for the better. After 3 months of medication, appointments, and fumbling through first time manager life, I started with a nutritionist. Turns out vitamins, enough protein, fiber, and water did wonders. After 3 months of dedicated nutrition, 6 months of medication, and growing as a manager, I started with a personal trainer. Turns out exercise does help and I really like Olympic Weightlifting. After 3 months of exercise, 6 months of dedicated nutrition, and 9 months of medication and re-hiring the Product Marketing team, I started tapering on medication because I knew nutrition and exercise were working. Cue more brain zaps and brain fog and a full on cold turkey stop bc I thought that would help, I made it to a year. A year from a vision of life that was not, to one where I was. Where being a manager and finding success for myself outside of work was possible. And building an entire work system with templates for managers and product marketers alike happened. (Ask me about that if you want in on the templates)/ It's a never ending journey to find my rhthym. Depression, anxiety, whatever else exists on the list of my overactive brain, will forever be a part of me. If I don't take care of those items first, then work, those growth moments won't happen. My current nonnegotiable daily rhythm: * 1 snooze allotment * Morning walk * Lunch break + walk * Minimum 45 minutes of movement after work * 80% whole foods * Vitamins (big magnesium girly) All that to say -- What rhythm works for you?

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I am fortunate to have a job in an industry that I am passionate about. I have empathy for everyone who is looking for their next opportunity, and know very well the struggles that folks are experiencing. These struggles over time can create stress, anxiety and hopelessness. I urge you to never, ever give up. I have found this podcast to be encouraging, sharing stories of well-known folks who have overcome countless obstacles to reach success. If interested, I encourage you to give an episode a listen. https://buff.ly/45KewSU #Job #Jobs #JobSearch #Career

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Startup425 will be hosting their "Eastside Summit" on August 1st at Bellevue City Hall during #SeattleTechWeek and you do not want to miss it! The Eastside Summit is hosted by Startup425 and its partner cities of Bellevue, Renton, Redmond, Issaquah, Kirkland, and Bothell. Join #Founders, #Investors, Executives, PolicyMakers, and those in bigtech and startups for a day of networking, education and community. There will be a series of panels around topics like... - Venture Capital & Startup Investments: Offers a deep dive into funding trends and investment strategies, providing attendees with crucial insights into the financial backbone of startups. - Eastside Startup Founder Exits: Successful founders share their exit strategies and experiences, offering invaluable insights for upcoming entrepreneurs. - Enterprise Technology on Eastside: Highlights the latest advancements in enterprise technology and their impact on both the local and global markets - Business and Technology Policy: Facilitates a dialogue on evolving regulatory frameworks to better support technological innovation and business growth Registrations have just opened.

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If you need an expert in what they do...

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