Breaktime Tech Talks

Ep13: GraphQL vs GQL vs Cypher + Road to NODES

Happy Fall! This week, we talk about confusion around GraphQL, GQL, and graph query languages. Then, I am excited to gear up for NODES 2024 by showcasing pre-conference workshops called Road to NODES!

Ep12: What is RAG + Case for Conferences

This week, we discuss retrieval augmented generation (RAG) and how it’s being used to improve responses (or prevent hallucinations) from an LLM. We also chat about an article on how tech conferences have changed and how you can still find value in speaking or attending, plus how to justify the benefits at your organization.

Ep11: What is a Knowledge Graph + DevUp Conference

A recent blog post defines "knowledge graph", a term that has been around awhile and is part of many recent AI conversations. And then we chat about the DevUp conference I attended last week. Hopefully my thoughts will help you decide how to choose the best event for you.

Ep10: What are embeddings + LLM use case and prompt

With the amount of new information, sometimes it’s hard to review earlier concepts. In this episode, we explain what an embedding is and talk about aligning your prompt with your use case for improving LLM answers (example app code repository).

Ep9: Graphs for Conference Scheduling + Spring AI 1.0

In preparing for the NODES 2024 conference, I’ll talk about how my colleague and I made scheduling easier by using Neo4j (a database). Spring AI also moved to a 1.0 milestone, and I’ll talk about the easier-than-expected migration (more in my related blog post).

Ep8: Luck Favors the Prepared + LLM Graph Builder Tool

Do you ever feel like some people have all the luck? Sometimes we need to see things in a new light to break through the barrier or overcome the obstacle. Plus, I took a look at a new-ish tool from Neo4j called the LLM Graph Builder. I’ll give a quick intro on that, plus what I’m doing with it and how it’s going.

Ep7: Deploying Neo4j on Kubernetes + Parallel Relationship Loading

I now have a code repository and blog post for Neo4j+Kubernetes. We also chat about another blog post on how to solve a deadlock with parallel relationship loading.

Ep6: Maintaining Personal Website + Git Submodules

A few years ago, I built a website for my technical blog. Find out how I solved this year's bug. Through the process, we'll discuss git submodules and how to use them.

Ep5: What are vectors + KCDC Highlights

AI seems to be everywhere in the tech industry right now….but it comes with a lot of new technical jargon. Let's explain vectors - what they are and how they are being used in tech. Then, we’ll give a quick highlight and shout-out to the Kansas City Developer Conference.

Ep4: Where’s the Graph Data Type in Programming Languages?

How do you manipulate or handle a graph in languages like Java, Python, and more, and why can it be so difficult? In this episode, we discuss the blog post The Hunt for the Missing Datatype by Hillel Wayne and his thoughts on why programming languages might avoid the graph data type.