The post discusses the complexities and challenges of developing systems software, particularly in large-scale projects. It highlights the need for perfection in systems software and the difficulties of programming in the large, w...
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Bryan Cantrill is a software engineer and CTO at Oxide Computer Company, interested in the hardware/software interface, writing, and podcasting.
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The blog post critiques John Fisher's management of the Oakland Athletics and their move to Las Vegas, highlighting his refusal to embrace Sacramento's identity, the team's financial struggles, and the challenges in stadium constr...
Oxide has successfully raised a $100M Series B funding round, more than doubling its total capital raised to date. The company aims to revolutionize cloud computing by rethinking the entire hardware and software stack for on-premi...
The post emphasizes the importance of loving customers for long-term success, contrasting Oracle's disdain with a more positive approach at Oxide.
The author expresses a growing concern about the use of AI-generated content on LinkedIn, likening the platform to Gerald Ford—competent but clumsy. They criticize the poor quality of writing produced by LLMs, which often lacks au...
5.4A parade in Oakland
2025-10-04 • community family baseball oakland athletics pioneer
The blog post recounts the emotional journey of Oakland baseball fans, culminating in the Oakland Ballers winning the Pioneer League championship, the first baseball championship for Oakland since 1989. It reflects on the deep con...
Success often arises from following one's passion despite external doubts about timing, as illustrated by the author's career journey in technology.
The text discusses the parallels between the experience of college baseball players and raising venture capital. It highlights the tumultuous recruiting process, the high stakes for both the institution and the athlete, and the si...
USENIX has decided to discontinue its Annual Technical Conference, which was once a significant forum for presenting pioneering systems work. The conference had shifted to being more academic, and the author had expressed concerns...
The text discusses Oxide's compensation model, which is transparent and uniform, and its impact on the company. It has led to a surge of new applicants and has allowed the team to focus on their contributions. The model has also i...
The text discusses the author's concerns about Pat Gelsinger being named the CEO of Intel in 2021. The author expresses doubts about Gelsinger's leadership abilities and decision-making, particularly in relation to the Tofino proj...
0dtrace.conf(24) | The Observation Deck
2024-12-05 •
The text discusses the history of the DTrace conference, from its inception in 2008 to the decision to move dtrace.conf(24) online due to the changing dynamics of tech conferences. It also outlines the logistics and platform for t...
0Blogging through the decades | The Observation Deck
2024-11-16 •
The author reflects on their two decades of blogging, starting in 2004 when Sun rolled out a new policy on discourse and blogs.sun.com. They discuss the impact of blogging at Sun, the open sourcing of Solaris, and the importance o...
0Remembering Charles Beeler | The Observation Deck
2024-11-12 •
The text is a tribute to Charles Beeler, a friend and early investor in Oxide, who passed away in September after a battle with cancer. It highlights his influence on the careers of the authors, his involvement with ACM Queue boar...
0Reflections on Founder Mode | The Observation Deck
2024-09-02 •
The text reflects on Paul Graham's Founder Mode, discussing the mistakes founders make and the importance of trust in building a company. It emphasizes the significance of a writing-intensive company culture in maintaining the com...
0Engineering a culture | The Observation Deck
2024-03-31 •
The text discusses an interesting issue the team faced, highlighting the culture they have built at Oxide. It emphasizes the importance of Demo Friday, the non-hierarchical integration of the team, and the deliberate culture at Ox...
0Moore’s scofflaws | The Observation Deck
2024-02-20 •
The text discusses the economics of cloud computing and the impact of hardware and software on the cost of cloud services. It highlights the issue of software licensing and the practice of charging based on hardware improvements, ...
The text discusses the book 'IBM and the Holocaust' by Edwin Black, highlighting the role of IBM's punch card systems in the Nazi war machine. It emphasizes the profitable business model of IBM and its CEO's devotion to profit ove...
0Is it worse for John Fisher? | The Observation Deck
2023-11-18 •
The text discusses the impact of the Oakland Athletics' move to Las Vegas on the fans, employees, and small businesses in Oakland. It highlights the emotional connection between sports and the community, and criticizes the owner, ...
0The Cloud Computer | The Observation Deck
2023-10-26 •
Oxide announces the general availability of the world’s first commercial cloud computer, along with a $44M Series A financing. The company has three core beliefs: cloud computing is the future, the computer that runs the cloud sho...
0Homebrew social networking | The Observation Deck
2022-11-27 •
The text discusses the oscillation between centralization and decentralization in computing, particularly in the context of social networking. It highlights the advantages and disadvantages of both approaches, and draws parallels ...
The author discusses their complicated relationship with Twitter, from initially being unimpressed with the platform to eventually appreciating it for its value in technical presentations and marketing. They express concern about ...
0Hubris and Humility | The Observation Deck
2021-11-30 •
The text discusses the development of a new operating system called Hubris, which was created by the team at Oxide. The system is an all-Rust system that is microkernel-based, employs a strictly synchronous task model, and is desi...
The author discusses the rise of social audio platforms like Clubhouse and Twitter Spaces, comparing them to other forms of social networking and media. They express enthusiasm for Twitter Spaces, highlighting its strengths and po...