Cloud Computing Insider

David Linthicum
  • 5.0 (4)
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Hosted by cloud computing pioneer David Linthicum, the Cloud Computing Insider podcast gets to the bottom of what cloud computing, and generative AI can bring to your enterprise. New content will focus on what's important to you as a user of cloud computing and generative AI, and the ability to find value the first time.

  1. 2D AGO

    Big Cloud's Default Trap: How Apple, AWS, Google, and Microsoft Capture Your Data

    Big Tech says it's "backup," "sync," and "convenience"—but what happens when your computer quietly starts moving your personal files into the cloud by default? In this episode, David Linthicum breaks down a growing industry pattern: technology providers designing defaults that automatically capture your data, route it into their storage platforms, and make that choice feel inevitable. We start with the Microsoft Windows 11 upgrade experience, where many users discover Desktop, Documents, and Pictures being pushed into OneDrive through folder redirection and persistent prompts—often without a clear, informed decision at setup. From there, we connect the dots to Apple's iCloud, where "it just works" can also mean "it just uploads," and to Google's Drive-first ecosystem that normalizes cloud storage as the primary home for files. Finally, we revisit AWS and the long-running idea that computing is something you rent—not own—turning the PC into a subscription and your data into recurring revenue. This isn't an anti-cloud rant: cloud storage can be genuinely useful. The issue is default capture, confusing consent, lock-in economics, and the shrinking space for truly local-first computing. If your files are your property, why do vendors treat them like a product funnel?

    17 min

  2. 5D AGO

    Why Serverless Is Just Lock-In with Better Branding

    Serverless is marketed as "no servers, no ops, just code"—but that convenience hides a deeper tradeoff: long-term freedom. In this video, I break down how platforms like AWS Lambda, Google Cloud Functions, and Firebase quietly lock you into a single provider, not through the language you write in. Still, through the glue you adopt: event formats, IAM models, triggers, logging, deployment pipelines, and tightly coupled managed services.   We'll look at where lock-in really lives architecturally, why leaning hard into proprietary auth, queues, databases, and logging can turn your system into a beautiful cage, and how to avoid that without giving up the speed that makes serverless attractive in the first place. You'll learn practical patterns like hexagonal/onion architecture, keeping business logic pure and side-effect-free, pushing cloud-specifics to the edges, and wrapping provider APIs behind your own interfaces for storage, messaging, and identity. I'll also cover strategies for keeping your data portable and planning for the day you might need to change clouds—or run on bare metal.   Serverless isn't the enemy. Blind trust is. Use the cloud's superpowers, but design as if you'll have to leave.

    9 min

  3. JAN 5

    The AI Native Cloud Trap: How AWS, Azure & Google Lock You In

    Cloud providers are quietly rebuilding their platforms around generative AI—and dragging you along for the ride. In this episode of Cloud Computing Insider, Dave breaks down how AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud are shifting from general‑purpose cloud to AI‑native cloud, where everything is optimized (and monetized) around GPUs, proprietary models, and tightly integrated AI services. We'll look at why this is happening now, how it shows up in your architecture and your bill, and why "AI‑ready" often really means "AI‑locked‑in." From exploding inference costs to agentic AI baked into workflows, you'll see how the defaults are being stacked in the providers' favor. But this isn't just a rant—we'll also explore your options. Do you lean into the hyperscalers' AI platforms, or start carving out room for AltClouds like private, sovereign, and MSP‑run clouds that aren't rebuilding everything around AI? How do you keep data, models, and architecture portable enough that you still have real choices in three years? If you care about cloud costs, control, and long‑term flexibility, this is the AI/cloud conversation you actually need to hear.

    14 min

  4. 12/29/2025

    RIP Cloud Computing Centers of Excellence (CCoE)

    Cloud Centers of Excellence were supposed to save your cloud strategy—yet in most enterprises, they've become the single biggest bottleneck. In this video, David Linthicum takes a brutally honest look at why so many CCoEs have devolved into "Cloud Centers of No," strangling innovation while pretending to provide governance. We'll dissect how these committees burn time, money, and engineering talent with endless review boards, PDFs, and politics, all while claiming to be "best practice."   But this isn't just a rant; it's a blueprint. David lays out exactly how to blow up the gatekeeper model and rebuild your CCoE as a lean, product-focused cloud platform team that developers actually want to use. You'll learn how to replace manual approvals with automated guardrails, static standards with living golden paths, and ivory-tower architects with embedded, hands-on experts. If you suspect your CCoE is more theater than value, this video will give you the language, arguments, and patterns to force a reset—and turn cloud governance from a tax into a competitive advantage.

    13 min

  5. 12/26/2025

    Cloud News 2025: What Actually Mattered

    In his "Cloud Computing Year in Review," David Linthicum offers a clear, opinionated look at how the cloud landscape has actually changed versus what was just hype. He situates these developments within the broader history of cloud, showing which "new" ideas are actually rediscoveries of long standing architectural principles. He walks through the major trends of the year – from the rise of multi cloud and FinOps to the deep integration of AI, data, and cloud native architectures – and explains what they mean in practical terms for enterprises. Rather than simply listing technologies, Linthicum focuses on business impact: cost optimization, complexity management, governance, and the ongoing struggle to modernize legacy systems. He highlights where cloud providers delivered real innovation, where they fell short, and how issues like security, resilience, and skills gaps shaped real world adoption. Throughout, his tone is pragmatic and slightly skeptical, cutting through marketing buzz to emphasize architecture, operations, and value realization. The review closes by outlining what IT leaders should carry into the coming year: a stronger focus on measurable outcomes, smarter use of multi cloud, tighter alignment between cloud strategy and data/AI strategy, and a renewed emphasis on talent and culture as key enablers of successful cloud transformation. Since you didn't specify a particular year, this is written to fit his typical annual "year in review" style. Would you like me to tailor this to a specific year or adjust the tone for an academic or professional audience?

    12 min

  6. 12/22/2025

    Somebody Is Lying About Agentic AI Adoption—and You're Paying for It

    This video takes a hard look at the messy truth behind agentic AI in the enterprise — and why it feels like someone is lying to you. On one side, big tech vendors, cloud providers, and global consultancies are screaming that "2025 is the year of the AI agent," boasting about customers "deploying thousands of agents" across customer service, IT operations, and back‑office functions with massive efficiency gains. On the other side, independent analysts and people actually building this stuff say most organizations are still stuck in early pilots, that real value is limited to a narrow set of tightly scoped workflows, and that a lot of what's sold as "agents" is just old automation with an LLM slapped on the front. In this video, I unpack those two conflicting narratives, show where each one is coming from, and explain why the hype machine has such a strong incentive to tell you the revolution is already here. We'll talk about agent washing, the lack of standards, and the very real risk of a trust crash between enterprises and their technology providers. If you're tired of being sold a future as if it's already reality, this one's for you.

    17 min

  7. 12/18/2025

    Inside the Mind of a Cloud Hero: Sebastian's Strategic Repatriation

    In this compelling video conversation, David Linthicum sits down with Sebastian Mondragon, CEO of Particula Tech, to explore the practical journey of repatriating enterprise workloads from public clouds back to on-premises or hybrid environments. With candor and technical depth, Sebastian shares his firsthand experience leading AI-driven businesses through the complexities of cloud repatriation—highlighting why it's not just a cost-saving measure, but a strategic move toward control, scalability, and compliance. Viewers gain actionable insights as Sebastian breaks down the challenges organizations often encounter in public cloud settings, from ongoing operational expenses to rigid infrastructure limitations and increasing scrutiny around data sovereignty. He details the systematic approach his team used to identify which workloads truly benefit from cloud versus which are more efficient and secure in-house. Throughout the discussion, Sebastian and David tackle the nuances of migration planning, risk management, and performance optimization. They emphasize the importance of understanding core business needs and the limitations of "one-size-fits-all" cloud solutions. The conversation also highlights how explainability and transparency—key values at Particula Tech—inform every decision. This video is essential viewing for IT leaders considering their own repatriation projects or aiming to make more informed decisions in their cloud strategies.

    15 min

  8. 12/15/2025

    Ask Linthicum: No-Bull Cloud Q&A

    Step into the heart of cloud computing as industry legend David Linthicum takes the hot seat on a special Q&A episode of The Cloud Computing Insider podcast. In this no-holds-barred session, David pulls back the curtain on the biggest myths, challenges, and game-changing trends that are shaping the cloud landscape today. Listeners submitted their most pressing—and sometimes controversial—questions, and David doesn't shy away from any of them. Whether it's cloud migration headaches, the real impact of AI on cloud strategies, security nightmares, or vendor lock-in fears, David tackles it all with his signature candor, humor, and deep expertise. This episode is a must-watch for IT leaders, cloud architects, and anyone who refuses to settle for buzzwords and wants real, unfiltered insights. Expect straight talk, surprising revelations, and actionable advice you won't find anywhere else. Whether you're just starting your cloud journey or are a seasoned pro looking for a fresh perspective, David's answers will challenge the status quo and leave you rethinking your approach to the cloud. Don't miss this rare opportunity to hear David Linthicum answer your questions—raw, real, and relevant—on The Cloud Computing Insider.

    18 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Hosted by cloud computing pioneer David Linthicum, the Cloud Computing Insider podcast gets to the bottom of what cloud computing, and generative AI can bring to your enterprise. New content will focus on what's important to you as a user of cloud computing and generative AI, and the ability to find value the first time.

Information

  • Creator
    David Linthicum
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    103
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2024
  • Show Website
    Cloud Computing Insider