Technical essays and notes.https://szpak.deven-ushttps://szpak.dev/essays/platform-operations/monitoring-web-servershttps://szpak.dev/essays/platform-operations/monitoring-web-serversExplore essential web server metrics, custom insights, and common monitoring pitfalls for optimal performance and reliability.Wed, 26 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMTplatform-operationsmonitoringweb serversmetricsobservabilitynginxapacheperformanceerrorslatencyprometheusObservability Basicshttps://szpak.dev/essays/domain-modeling-event-storming/event-storming-stakeholder-guidehttps://szpak.dev/essays/domain-modeling-event-storming/event-storming-stakeholder-guideEvent Storming guide for stakeholders. Learn to contribute effectively and avoid common pitfalls. Shape better software!Thu, 23 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMTdomain-modeling-event-stormingEvent StormingDomain-Driven DesignStakeholdersCollaborationWorkshopBusiness ProcessEvent Storming Masterclasshttps://szpak.dev/essays/domain-modeling-event-storming/ten-misconceptionshttps://szpak.dev/essays/domain-modeling-event-storming/ten-misconceptionsUncover the 10 biggest misconceptions about Domain-Driven Design. Learn how to avoid common pitfalls and implement DDD effectively.Mon, 23 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMTdomain-modeling-event-stormingDomain-Driven DesignDDDSoftware DevelopmentSoftware ArchitectureDomain ModelingUbiquitous LanguageDDD Foundationshttps://szpak.dev/essays/platform-operations/amqphttps://szpak.dev/essays/platform-operations/amqpUnlock AMQP's power for reliable messaging in distributed systems. Explore its strengths, avoid pitfalls, and design robust architectures.Tue, 17 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMTplatform-operationsAMQPMessaging ProtocolsRabbitMQDistributed SystemsSystem DesignMessage QueuesAsynchronous CommunicationConcurrency & Distributed Coordinationhttps://szpak.dev/essays/leadership-teams/remote-team-culturehttps://szpak.dev/essays/leadership-teams/remote-team-cultureForge strong remote team bonds! Discover tools, processes, & fun activities to foster connection, beat isolation, & build a thriving virtual culture.Thu, 16 May 2024 00:00:00 GMTleadership-teamsremote workteam culturecollaborationdistributed teamsleadershipvirtual teamsteam buildingremote engagementRemote Culturehttps://szpak.dev/essays/domain-modeling-event-storming/event-storming-from-chaos-to-actionhttps://szpak.dev/essays/domain-modeling-event-storming/event-storming-from-chaos-to-actionClose your Event Storming session by translating insights into actionable requirements for dev teams. Learn how!Tue, 07 May 2024 00:00:00 GMTdomain-modeling-event-stormingEvent StormingDomain-Driven DesignSoftware ArchitectureSystem DesignFacilitator GuideRequirements GatheringBusiness Process MappingActionable RequirementsDomain ModelingBacklog RefinementEvent Storming Masterclasshttps://szpak.dev/essays/domain-modeling-event-storming/event-storming-run-like-a-prohttps://szpak.dev/essays/domain-modeling-event-storming/event-storming-run-like-a-proGuide Event Storming sessions, extract insights, and shape system architecture. Master facilitation skills for better outcomes.Thu, 25 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMTdomain-modeling-event-stormingEvent StormingDomain-Driven DesignSoftware ArchitectureSystem DesignCollaborationAgileFacilitationDomain EventsEvent Storming Masterclasshttps://szpak.dev/essays/domain-modeling-event-storming/event-storming-with-purposehttps://szpak.dev/essays/domain-modeling-event-storming/event-storming-with-purposeRun productive Event Storming sessions: define scope, involve the right people, set expectations, and foster insights.Mon, 04 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMTdomain-modeling-event-stormingEvent StormingDomain-Driven DesignSoftware ArchitectureSystem DesignCollaborationAgileBig Picture Event StormingProcess-Level Event StormingDesign-Level Event StormingDomain ExpertsDevelopersArchitectsProduct OwnersBusiness AnalystsFacilitatorEvent Storming Masterclasshttps://szpak.dev/essays/domain-modeling-event-storming/event-storming-facilitator-guidehttps://szpak.dev/essays/domain-modeling-event-storming/event-storming-facilitator-guideMaster Event Storming: a guide for architects to facilitate collaboration, understand business domains, and design better systems.Sat, 17 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMTdomain-modeling-event-stormingEvent StormingDomain-Driven DesignBusiness ProcessesSystem DesignCollaborationStakeholder AlignmentWorkshopFacilitationEvent Storming Masterclasshttps://szpak.dev/essays/platform-operations/monitoring-101https://szpak.dev/essays/platform-operations/monitoring-101Learn infrastructure monitoring essentials: challenges, solutions, and trade-offs for reliable systems and happy users.Sat, 09 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMTplatform-operationsmonitoringobservabilityDevOpsreliabilityloggingalertingincident responseperformancemetricslogstracingchaos engineeringObservability Basicshttps://szpak.dev/essays/career-identity-perspective/learning-new-languagehttps://szpak.dev/essays/career-identity-perspective/learning-new-languageHow hard it may be and what the Paradigm actually is.Sat, 02 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMTcareer-identity-perspectivenew languageimperativedeclarativeparadigmDeveloper Mindsethttps://szpak.dev/essays/leadership-teams/tell-me-whyhttps://szpak.dev/essays/leadership-teams/tell-me-whyGo beyond just telling your team *what* to do. Explaining *why* fosters understanding, empathy, and a culture of growth.Sun, 16 Jul 2023 00:00:00 GMTleadership-teamsempathycommunicationteamworkleadershippsychological safetyhttps://szpak.dev/essays/architecture-design/silver-bulletshttps://szpak.dev/essays/architecture-design/silver-bulletsThe right technical decision is rarely the perfect one. It is usually the trade-off that best fits your current constraints.Fri, 21 Apr 2023 00:00:00 GMTarchitecture-designsoftware architecturetrade-offsdecision-makingengineeringbest practicesit strategysystem designtechnical debthttps://szpak.dev/essays/career-identity-perspective/shaped-professionalshttps://szpak.dev/essays/career-identity-perspective/shaped-professionalsExploring the different skill shapes: T, I, X, and Pi - what they mean for your career, and how to navigate growth.Wed, 01 Feb 2023 00:00:00 GMTcareer-identity-perspectivecareerskillsengineeringgrowthleadershipDeveloper Mindsethttps://szpak.dev/essays/engineering-craft/synchronous-and-asynchronoushttps://szpak.dev/essays/engineering-craft/synchronous-and-asynchronousSometimes you have to wait, sometimes you can do what you need instantly.Sun, 04 Dec 2022 00:00:00 GMTengineering-craftsynchronousConcurrency & Distributed Coordinationhttps://szpak.dev/essays/platform-operations/osi-modelhttps://szpak.dev/essays/platform-operations/osi-modelExplore data's path from your keyboard to the cloud, uncovering networking layers with analogies and insights.Sat, 03 Dec 2022 00:00:00 GMTplatform-operationsOSI ModelNetworking BasicsTech FundamentalsData CommunicationNetwork LayersData TransmissionCloud ComputingNetworking Fundamentalshttps://szpak.dev/essays/platform-operations/scaling-terraformhttps://szpak.dev/essays/platform-operations/scaling-terraformExplore the growing pains of scaling AWS infrastructure with Terraform. Learn to manage complexity and avoid chaos.Mon, 28 Nov 2022 00:00:00 GMTplatform-operationsTerraformAWSIaaCDevOpsECSRDSSQSElastiCachescalinginfrastructure as codestate managementmodule designenvironment drifthttps://szpak.dev/essays/engineering-craft/web-app-securityhttps://szpak.dev/essays/engineering-craft/web-app-securityLearn how to safeguard your web applications from cyber threats with this comprehensive guide on web application security.Sun, 18 Sep 2022 00:00:00 GMTengineering-craftwebsecurityxsscsrfsql injectionApplication Securityhttps://szpak.dev/essays/architecture-design/onionhttps://szpak.dev/essays/architecture-design/onionOnion Architecture keeps business rules at the center so frameworks, databases, and UI concerns stay at the edge where they belong.Sun, 11 Sep 2022 00:00:00 GMTarchitecture-designonion architecturesoftware architecturedomain-driven designclean architecturelayered architecturetestabilityhttps://szpak.dev/essays/product-discovery/producthttps://szpak.dev/essays/product-discovery/productEnterprise software architecture, which specifies four layers of abstraction.Thu, 11 Aug 2022 00:00:00 GMTproduct-discoveryproduct vision boardbusiness model canvaslean canvasvalue proposition canvasProduct Strategy Toolkithttps://szpak.dev/essays/engineering-craft/declarative-codehttps://szpak.dev/essays/engineering-craft/declarative-codeLearn how to write code that shows your intentions.Tue, 21 Jun 2022 00:00:00 GMTengineering-craftdeclarative vs imperativefunctional codebetter javascriptclean codeProgramming Paradigmshttps://szpak.dev/essays/product-discovery/value-proposition-canvashttps://szpak.dev/essays/product-discovery/value-proposition-canvasLearn how the Value Proposition Canvas helps businesses align their product with customer needs, addressing pains and gains to create a compelling offer.Sat, 28 May 2022 00:00:00 GMTproduct-discoveryvalue propositionproduct-market fitcustomer insightsproduct developmentProduct Strategy Toolkithttps://szpak.dev/essays/product-discovery/lean-canvashttps://szpak.dev/essays/product-discovery/lean-canvasDiscover the Lean Canvas, a simplified, risk-focused version of the Business Model Canvas, designed to help startups iterate quickly and validate their ideas.Tue, 17 May 2022 00:00:00 GMTproduct-discoverylean canvasstartup toolsrisk managementproduct developmentProduct Strategy Toolkithttps://szpak.dev/essays/product-discovery/business-model-canvashttps://szpak.dev/essays/product-discovery/business-model-canvasA deep dive into the Business Model Canvas - its nine building blocks and how it helps startups and established companies alike build sustainable, customer-focused business models.Mon, 09 May 2022 00:00:00 GMTproduct-discoverybusiness modelstrategystartup toolsproduct developmentProduct Strategy Toolkithttps://szpak.dev/essays/architecture-design/software-architecturehttps://szpak.dev/essays/architecture-design/software-architectureSoftware architecture matters because it shapes how fast a system can grow, how safely it can change, and how consistently teams can build it.Mon, 07 Mar 2022 00:00:00 GMTarchitecture-designsoftware architecturescalabilitymaintainabilityconsistencysystem designhttps://szpak.dev/essays/architecture-design/conways-lawhttps://szpak.dev/essays/architecture-design/conways-lawConway's Law explains why system design tends to mirror the way teams communicate, especially across distance and organizational boundaries.Sat, 27 Nov 2021 00:00:00 GMTarchitecture-designconways lawcommunicationsoftware architectureorganization designdistributed teamshttps://szpak.dev/essays/platform-operations/bastionhttps://szpak.dev/essays/platform-operations/bastionSecure your infrastructure with a bastion host (jumpbox). Discover best practices for on-prem and cloud environments, and explore zero-trust alternatives to improve security.Sun, 07 Nov 2021 00:00:00 GMTplatform-operationsbastion hostjumpbox securityzero-trust architectureVPN vs bastion hostSSH gateway best practicesAccess & Perimeter Securityhttps://szpak.dev/essays/career-identity-perspective/programmerhttps://szpak.dev/essays/career-identity-perspective/programmerExplore the fascinating duality of programmers as both meticulous engineers and creative artists shaping the digital world with code.Mon, 27 Sep 2021 00:00:00 GMTcareer-identity-perspectiveprogrammerartistengineercodingsoftware developmentcreative codingdigital artistryDeveloper Mindsethttps://szpak.dev/essays/engineering-craft/frameworkhttps://szpak.dev/essays/engineering-craft/frameworkFrameworks provide ready to use files and directories layout.Sun, 05 Sep 2021 00:00:00 GMTengineering-craftframeworkarchitecturesmall projectsFramework Trade-Offshttps://szpak.dev/essays/architecture-design/ports-and-adaptershttps://szpak.dev/essays/architecture-design/ports-and-adaptersPorts and Adapters keeps domain logic isolated from frameworks, APIs, and databases, making systems easier to test and change.Sat, 19 Jun 2021 00:00:00 GMTarchitecture-designports and adaptershexagonal architecturedomain-driven designsoftware architectureclean architecturetestinghttps://szpak.dev/essays/product-discovery/vision-boardhttps://szpak.dev/essays/product-discovery/vision-boardExplore how the Product Vision Board helps teams define their product's purpose, target audience, and business goals, ensuring clarity in the early stages of development.Sat, 01 May 2021 00:00:00 GMTproduct-discoveryproduct strategyproduct vision boardstartup toolsbusiness strategyProduct Strategy Toolkithttps://szpak.dev/essays/engineering-craft/tabs-or-spaceshttps://szpak.dev/essays/engineering-craft/tabs-or-spacesA tale of taking another point of view.Sun, 21 Mar 2021 00:00:00 GMTengineering-craftindentscodetabspacechoiceCode Style & Team Conventionshttps://szpak.dev/essays/leadership-teams/egohttps://szpak.dev/essays/leadership-teams/egoExplore the role of ego in software engineering. Learn how to manage your ego during code reviews and team projects for better solutions.Tue, 23 Feb 2021 00:00:00 GMTleadership-teamsegosoftware developmentcode reviewteamworkleadershipself-awarenessTeam Dynamicshttps://szpak.dev/essays/architecture-design/c4-model-structurizrhttps://szpak.dev/essays/architecture-design/c4-model-structurizrThe C4 model gives teams a practical way to visualize software architecture at the right level of detail, from system context down to code.Mon, 16 Nov 2020 00:00:00 GMTarchitecture-designc4 modelsoftware architecturevisualizationumlstructurizrmicroservicesmonolithhttps://szpak.dev/essays/leadership-teams/keeping-the-teamhttps://szpak.dev/essays/leadership-teams/keeping-the-teamBoost team retention by focusing on trust, honesty, and respect. Discover how these values enhance workplace happiness and productivity.Sat, 07 Nov 2020 00:00:00 GMTleadership-teamsemployee retentionteam managementworkplace cultureemployee engagementleadershiptrusthonestyrespectRetentionhttps://szpak.dev/essays/architecture-design/adrhttps://szpak.dev/essays/architecture-design/adrADRs capture the reasoning behind important technical decisions so teams do not have to rediscover it the hard way.Fri, 18 Sep 2020 00:00:00 GMTarchitecture-designadrarchitecture decisionsdecision-makingdocumentationsoftware architecturehttps://szpak.dev/essays/engineering-craft/race-conditionshttps://szpak.dev/essays/engineering-craft/race-conditionsWhat happens when everybody wants the same in the same time.Sun, 15 Mar 2020 00:00:00 GMTengineering-craftraceconditionsdataracingConcurrency & Distributed Coordinationhttps://szpak.dev/essays/career-identity-perspective/impact-on-lifehttps://szpak.dev/essays/career-identity-perspective/impact-on-lifeExplore how software reshapes communication, education, healthcare, transport, entertainment, and business, profoundly impacting our modern lives.Sat, 14 Mar 2020 00:00:00 GMTcareer-identity-perspectivesoftwareimpacttechnologybenefitsdisadvantagesdaily lifecommunicationeducationhealthcaretransportationentertainmentbusinessIndustry Perspectivehttps://szpak.dev/essays/platform-operations/the-protocolhttps://szpak.dev/essays/platform-operations/the-protocolExplore essential communication protocols like FTP, HTTP, SMTP and USB. Understand how they enable seamless data exchange and ensure effective digital interactions.Thu, 13 Feb 2020 00:00:00 GMTplatform-operationsprotocolcommunicationFTPHTTPSMTPUSBdata transfernetworkingProtocolshttps://szpak.dev/essays/leadership-teams/i-know-nothinghttps://szpak.dev/essays/leadership-teams/i-know-nothingExplore the Dunning-Kruger effect with real-life examples. Discover why incompetent people overestimate their skills and how to overcome it.Sun, 13 Oct 2019 00:00:00 GMTleadership-teamscognitive-biasbiasincompetenceDunning-KrugerexpertiseoverconfidencepsychologySelf-Awarenesshttps://szpak.dev/essays/product-discovery/requirementshttps://szpak.dev/essays/product-discovery/requirementsLearn effective techniques for gathering software system requirements, from stakeholder interviews to SRS documentation.Thu, 29 Aug 2019 00:00:00 GMTproduct-discoverysoftware requirementsrequirements gatheringstakeholdersfunctional requirementsnon-functional requirementsSRSsystem analysisRequirements & Shapinghttps://szpak.dev/essays/architecture-design/scalabilityhttps://szpak.dev/essays/architecture-design/scalabilityScalability is about keeping response time, throughput, and maintainability in balance as demand grows.Mon, 15 Jul 2019 00:00:00 GMTarchitecture-designscalabilitysystem designperformancevertical scalinghorizontal scaling