Insights
Practical takes on data engineering decisions. No vendor marketing, no hype. Just honest perspectives from building in the real world.
Featured
Databricks vs Snowflake vs DuckDB: A 2026 Reality Check
The choice is no longer about features. It's about how much platform you actually need. A pragmatic comparison for senior data engineers and platform owners.
Do You Actually Need Snowflake?
The honest answer for most companies is "not yet." Here's how to know when you've outgrown simpler solutions and when the enterprise vendors are just overselling you.
The $3k/Month Data Stack
A complete analytics infrastructure for growing companies. PostgreSQL, MotherDuck, dbt, Metabase, and dlt or Airbyte for ingestion. Everything you need without the enterprise price tag.
The Real-Time Myth
Why most "real-time requirements" are actually "faster batch" requirements, and how to tell the difference before committing to 3x more complexity.
Topics
What I write about
Data Strategy
How to make architectural decisions, evaluate tools, and build roadmaps.
Cost Optimization
Spending less on data infrastructure without sacrificing capability.
Tool Evaluation
Honest takes on when to use what, and when vendors are overselling.
Fintech Data
Reconciliation, compliance, and financial data engineering patterns.
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