Nextcloud has been recognized with the World Summit Award Germany in the Government & Citizen Engagement category. WSA selects and promotes local digital innovation improving society, aiming to contribute to the United Nations’ agenda of sustainable development goals. In addition, Nextcloud is shortlisted for the World Summit Awards on a global level. The winners will be announced in January 2025.

What this award means for Nextcloud

The digital collaboration platform has been recognized for excelling in data sovereignty and giving customers and users control over their data. Nextcloud builds an open source platform for people to store their files, chat and videoconference, manage calendars, emails and more, that is not run by a single entity. Using a web interface and mobile apps, users don’t have to hand over their data to anybody else. Users, companies and governments can use Nextcloud software to build their own clouds, in a very easy way. And – hundreds of thousands have.

Data is concentrated in the hands of a very small number of companies. This is not good for society – especially with the rise of AI. Privacy is the foundation of democracy and society does not function well if all communication and collaboration is mediated by a few democratically unaccountable entities.

Frank Karlitschek

Founder and CEO of Nextcloud

Digital sovereignty for millions of users

Nextcloud is deeply rooted in the open source community and has become the most popular self-hosted alternative to the collaboration platforms of big tech companies. There are an estimated 500,000 servers on the internet running Nextcloud, some of these with millions of users. We do not track users but estimate to have between 25 and 50 million users in total.

For the business side, besides companies and other organzations, more than 600 EU institutions, federal and state ministries, as well as city and local governments globally rely on Nextcloud, including Germany, France, the Netherlands, Serbia, Canada, Australia, Brazil and the USA. The most popular self-hosted collaboration solution for 2 million users in the public sector and tens of millions of users overall around the globe.

To help the German public sector digitalise their services for citizens, Nextcloud has rolled out several efforts. Latest example is the launch of Nextcloud Flow, the first fully open source, integrated process automation platform.

WSA awards digital solutions with impact on society

The World Summit Awards (WSA) aim to promote the best digital solutions with impact on society. It is a non-monetary award system with a focus on sustainable knowledge transfer through a worldwide network. The award was launched in 2003 and aims to contribute to the United Nations’ agenda of sustainable development goals by recognizing local digital content with societal impact and showcasing the wealth and diversity of innovative applications.

The post Nextcloud Recognized with World Summit Award Germany appeared first on Nextcloud.

SolidRun HummingBoard i.MX8M IIOT SBC with NVMe, RS232, RS485, and LTE Support

Please update to a new version to keep your data safe!

If you are using Nextcloud Hub 7, 8 or 9, we strongly recommend you to update to version 28.0.12, 29.0.9 or 30.0.2 respectively. Maintenance updates include important bug fixes, stability and security upgrades. It is a quick and safe process, as always!

About the updates

The updates include a number of important bug fixes and performance optimization, as well as other improvements in all supported Nextcloud Hub versions. You can find the full changelog on our website.

Updates are available for:

• Nextcloud Hub 7 (version 28.0.12)
• Nextcloud Hub 8 (version 29.0.9)
• Nextcloud Hub 9 (version 30.0.2)

Nextcloud Hub 9 is our latest and greatest!

Nextcloud Hub 9 lets you stay connected like never before: federated calls, auto-magic with Nextcloud Flow, collaboration through a new medium with Nextloud Whiteboard, a big design redo and much more!

What’s new in Nextcloud Hub 9:

• Federation: Edit documents and have video calls with users from other Nextcloud servers!
• Automate and digitalize enterprise processes
• Brand new design improvements
• New Whiteboard app
• AI reminders & summaries in Mail
• PDF templates and form API
• Chat UI for Nextcloud Assistant

Get Nextcloud Hub 9

Download and install Nextcloud Hub 9 here!

Get Hub 9

Always keep your server up to date!

Nextcloud’s minor releases primarily focus on addressing security vulnerabilities and functionality bugs, avoiding major system overhauls that could jeopardize user data. Keeping your server up to date is vital, and our approach to testing and validation ensures that upgrading to minor releases is generally smooth and reliable.

For mission-critical Nextcloud systems in enterprise settings, consider switching to Nextcloud Enterprise. The tier provides you with ultimate deployment confidence: direct access to the Nextcloud engineering team, full assistance throughout deployment and integration, and peace of mind for system administrators. If you’re responsible for maintaining Nextcloud in your setting, this option may be the ideal solution for you.

The post November maintenance updates for Nextcloud Hub 7, 8 and 9 appeared first on Nextcloud.

Most Raspberry Pi single-board computers, with the exception of the Raspberry Pi Zero and A+ form factors, incorporate an on-board USB hub to fan out a single USB connection from the core silicon, and provide multiple downstream USB Type-A ports. But no matter how many ports we provide, sometimes you just need more peripherals than we have ports. And with that in mind, today we’re launching the official Raspberry Pi USB 3 Hub, a high-quality four-way USB 3.0 hub for use with your Raspberry Pi or other, lesser, computer.

Key features include:

• A single upstream USB 3.0 Type-A connector on an 8 cm captive cable
• Four downstream USB 3.0 Type-A ports
• Aggregate data transfer speeds up to 5 Gbps
• USB-C socket for optional external 3A power supply (sold separately)

Race you to the bottom

Why design our own hub? Well, we’d become frustrated with the quality and price of the hubs available online. Either you pay a lot of money for a nicely designed and reliable product, which works well with a broad range of hosts and peripherals; or you cheap out and get something much less compatible, or unreliable, or ugly, or all three. Sometimes you spend a lot of money and still get a lousy product.

It felt like we were trapped in a race to the bottom, where bad quality drives out good, and marketplaces like Amazon end up dominated by the cheapest thing that can just about answer to the name “hub”.

So, we worked with our partners at Infineon to source a great piece of hub silicon, CYUSB3304, set Dominic to work on the electronics and John to work on the industrial design, and applied our manufacturing and distribution capabilities to make it available at the lowest possible price. The resulting product works perfectly with all models of Raspberry Pi computer, and it bears our logo because we’re proud of it: we believe it’s the best USB 3.0 hub on the market today.

Grab one and have a play: we think you’ll like it.

The post Raspberry Pi USB 3 Hub on sale now at $12 appeared first on Raspberry Pi.

Hello everyone. Another light week here. Let’s go over everything.

BeaglePlay PWM Patch

A while ago, I discovered that the MikroBUS PWM pin was not enabled in the upstream devicetree for BeaglePlay. So I created a patch to enable PWM and it was finally merged last week.

BeagleConnect Freedom Debugging

Continuing the work from last week, I was able to load Zephyr firmware that exhibited the stalling behavior. However, I still haven’t been able to pinpoint the exact cause. You can follow the discussion in Ti E2E

I have created a minimal example to reproduce the problem.

BeagleBoard Rust Imager

There has been some interest in making the Rust flasher the official flasher. To achieve that, there has been a lot of development towards v1.0.0.

MacOS dmg support

Thanks to help from Zain, I was able to create MacOS dmg in CI. While most of the flashing functionality does not work on MacOS yet, having easy experimental CI builds should help development to at least ensure everything builds.

Make bb-imager-rs Ready for crates.io

While exploring ways to create a Debian package, I stumbled across debcargo, which is the official way to package Rust applications for Debian. Since it can potentially allow official packages in the future, I decided to prefer it over cargo-deb. However, since debcargo builds the package from crates.io, I needed to cleanup the out of tree patches for rs-drivelist and bin_file. So, I moved the unmerged/unreleased code into bb-imager itself for now.

I still need to set up CI to push to crates.io automatically, but I am a bit unsure regarding how to handle the API key securely.

Sd Card Formatting Support

I have added support for SD card formatting since it is helpful for an imaging utility. However, it does not work on Windows yet.

Performance Enhancements and Code improvements

Here is the list of minor improvements that occurred during the week:

• More responsive UI
• Make the default window size smaller
• Better handling of big os image lists.
• Code improvements to make contribution easier.

Ending Thoughts

This was it for this week. Hopefully, this helps bring transparency regarding where the development efforts are concentrated, and how the community can help. Look forward to next update.

Helpful links

• BeagleBoard
• BeagleBoard Imager Rust Port
• My Rust std for UEFI open PRs

The post This Week in Beagle #3 appeared first on BeagleBoard.

One week is left until Nextcloud Enterprise day, and good things come to those who wait! As you are planning your trip to Frankfurt, we are happy to announce an amazing talk by Dr. Frank Dengler.

• Speaker: Frank Dengler, CEO and founder of audriga
• Title: Migrating from SharePoint to Nextcloud: What we’ve learned

Transitioning the organization’s collaborative environment from SharePoint to Nextcloud is a complex project, successfully undertaken by organizations like Swiss Bank and the Schleswig-Holstein state administration. How exactly do you make such a migration both achievable and efficient? Dr. Dengler argues that a well-prepared and structured approach is key to a successful migration, and he is going to share some of his insights in this special session.

Join Nextcloud Enterprise Day on November 6 in Frankfurt, Germany. Register today!

Get your ticket at the best price

Tickets to Nextcloud Enterprise Day in Frankfurt are limited.
Secure your seat today and don’t miss out!

Register now!

About the speaker

audriga is a globally recognized expert in email, groupware, and storage migration. They support companies of all sizes, including hosting providers and telcos, with white-label self-service solutions for customer onboarding and large-scale platform migrations involving millions of user accounts. audriga can migrate almost any type of data, such as files, contacts, calendar, tasks, metadata, and settings, between virtually any systems — including migrations from SharePoint to Nextcloud.

Frank Dengler is a co-founder and currently serve as the CEO of audriga. His professional journey began at Intel, where he worked as a consultant in the server and data center division. He holds an interdisciplinary degree in Information Engineering and Management, as well as a PhD in Knowledge Management, both from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT).

audriga chose Nextcloud because we noticed a growing demand from customers seeking a strong alternative to SharePoint. Nextcloud stands out as a great option, not only for its robust file management capabilities but also for its additional features like collaboration tools, integrated apps, and data control, making it a comprehensive solution beyond just file storage.

About Nextcloud Enterprise Day

Nextcloud Enterprise Day is our top event of the year for business leaders, decision-makers, and project managers to achieve their goals with Nextcloud.

From customer presentations and success stories to networking opportunities and access to management, sales, marketing, and engineering teams, you’re bound to walk away with new information, techniques, and inspiration.

The upcoming edition takes place at the spectacular Radisson Blu hotel in Frankfurt, Germany on November 6.

Join the conversation in Frankfurt!

Click below to explore the full program, location and registration information

Register now!

†

The post Nextcloud Enterprise Day: key to smooth SharePoint to Nextcloud migration with Dr. Frank Dengler appeared first on Nextcloud.

Hello everyone. This week mostly involved a lot of chasing stuff around (sometimes in vain), so while there was not much headline work, this post might end up a bit longer than usual. Let’s get started without delay.

BeagleConnect Freedom Adventures

I started the week by trying to add IEEE802154 subg socket support in MicroPython for BeagleConnect Freedom. However, I quickly learned that it would not be simple. For some reason, BeagleConnect Freedom would completely lock up after starting.

Initially, I thought it might be a MicroPython issue, so I tried tracking down where the freeze happened. This, however, led to a dead end since, for some reason, the program would not be able to read from the UART console. While doing this, I also remembered a similar issue I encountered while working on BeagleConnect Freedom rc car demo. At the time, I fixed it by just removing unused config items like ADC and PWM from config, but forgot about it after the OOSC conference.

After some experimenting with PWM, ADC, and IEEE802154 subg radio, I figured out that the problem is reproducible in other Zephyr samples like echo_cliet, etc. For some reason, if both PWM pins (MB1 PWM and MB2 PWM) are enabled alongside the subg radio, everything freezes. If one or both of the PWM are disabled, everything works fine. This seems to be an issue with timers but it needs further investigation.

I have created a Zephyr issue and a Ti E2E question for the same.

Code Composer Studio Theia Adventures

With the MicroPython issue and a bricked BeagleConnect Freedom, I thought it is a good time to setup and learn Ti’s Code Composer Studio.

I use Fedora Sway Atomic as my daily driver, and thus mostly rely on flatpaks or podman containers. However, running Code Composer Studio inside a podman container (created using toolbox) was not a great experience for me. It would randomly stutter (maybe a hardware acceleration problem?) and freeze. Additionally, while udev can make it almost painless to handle device permissions, it can occasionally cause hiccups with flashing. In fact, one of the primary reasons I switched to neovim was that my emacs GUI kept having weird performance problems inside the container.

So, I finally went ahead and installed CCS Theia on my base system. The install procedure is a bit weird since there is no rpm or deb package. Instead, there is an installer which installs everything in $HOME/ti folder. It also creates an uninstall, which seems to work. All in all, while I prefer a flatpack or app image, it wasn’t too bad.

I hit a snag quite early on when I was unable to flash the cc1352p1 on my launchpad. I tried various things and opened a Ti E2E question for the same. However, the solution turned out to be quite weird. I was not saving my workspace since, well, nothing was working anyway, and CCS Theia would open the unsaved workspace. But everything magically worked once I saved my workspace because I was tired of the dialog on exit. Not really sure why.

Once I could flash the launchpad, I tried using the xds110 in launchpad with my BeagleConnect Freedom. I was able to flash a simple blinky on it and even set up breakpoints.

Now, I need to figure out how to use openocd and add instructions in Beagle docs and Zephyr docs for the same.

KUnit Adventures

I have been working on kernel patches that require writing some unit tests. So I was trying to get KUnit to work. However, kunit run kept on failing for some reason, even with the default config. The output was not very clear either. However, after following some debugging instructions, I found out that I could not execute the user mode kernel from inside the podman container. I have created an issue in Fedora toolbox regarding the same.

MicroPython

I have added MicroPython support for BeaglePlay cc1352p7 in my draft PR. It supports IEEE802154 subg sockets and also helped me ensure that MicroPython networking should work fine on BeagleConnect Freedom as well once the timer issue is resolved.

Since BeaglePlay cc1352p7 Zephyr support was merged after the 3.7.0 release, the MicroPython support will continue to live in the draft PR until MicroPython supports a newer Zephyr version.

Zephyr

Zephyr support for BeagleBoard boards continues to improve. We will continue to work to make Beagle one of the best-supported platforms for Zephyr development.

BeagleBone AI-64

Thanks to the work by Andrew Davis, Zephyr support for R5 cores in BeagleBone AI64 was merged this week. Here is the Zephyr page for BeagleBone AI 54. This adds one more board to the growing list of BeagleBoard boards that support Zephyr.

BeagleY-AI

A PR for Zephyr support was opened by Andrew Davis after BBAI-64 support was merged. Anyone interested should feel free to try it out. Hopefully, it can get merged upstream soon.

BeagleBoard Imager Rust Updates

While working on BeagleY-AI, I found a bug in the sha256 handling of the Rust-based imager while translating the old bb-imager config. So, I have created release 0.0.2 for the imager. I probably should implement changelogs before the next release.

Ending Thoughts

This was it for this week. Hopefully, this helps bring transparency regarding where the development efforts are concentrated, and how the community can help. Look forward to next update.

Helpful links

• BeagleBoard
• BeagleBoard Imager Rust Port
• Code Composer Studio
• BeagleConnect Freedom
• BeaglePlay
• BeagleBone AI-64
• BeagleY-AI

The post This Week in Beagle #2 appeared first on BeagleBoard.

As MLOps becomes an integral part of more businesses, the demand for professionals who can proficiently manage, deploy, and scale machine learning operations is growing rapidly. 

This guide is for those who have experience in MLOps and are preparing for technical interviews aimed at mid-level to senior positions. It explores advanced interview questions deep into model governance, scalability, performance optimization, and regulatory compliance—areas where seasoned professionals can showcase their expertise. Through detailed explanations, strategic answer hints, and insightful discussions, this article will help you articulate your experiences and demonstrate your problem-solving skills effectively.

Let’s equip you with the knowledge to not only answer MLOps questions but to stand out in your next job interview.

Model Governance in MLOps

Question 1: How do you implement model governance in MLOps?

Model governance not only maintains control but also enhances reliability and trustworthiness of models in production. It’s crucial for managing risks related to data privacy and operational efficiency, and is a key skill for senior-level roles in MLOps, demonstrating both technical expertise and strategic oversight.

• Model Version Control: Use systems that track model versions along with their datasets and parameters to ensure transparency and allow for rollback if necessary.
• Audit Trails: Keep detailed logs of all model activities, including training and deployment, to aid in troubleshooting and meet regulatory compliance.
• Compliance and Standardization: Establish standards for model processes to adhere to internal and external regulatory requirements.
• Performance Monitoring: Set up ongoing monitoring of model performance to quickly address issues like model drift.

Answer Hints:

• Highlight tools like Kubeflow, for tracking experiments and managing deployments.
• Emphasize collaboration between data scientists, operations, and IT to ensure effective implementation of governance policies.

Handling Model Drift

Question 2: What strategies do you use to handle model drift in production?

Addressing model drift is essential for maintaining the accuracy and relevance of models in dynamic environments. It showcases an MLOps professional’s ability to ensure long-term model performance and adaptability.

• Continuous Monitoring: Implement automated systems to regularly assess model performance and detect drift.
• Feedback Loops: Use real-time feedback from model outputs to quickly identify and address issues.
• Model Re-training: Schedule regular updates and re-train models with new data to maintain accuracy and relevance.

Answer Hints:

• Mention tools like Apache Kafka for real-time data streaming, monitoring, and alerting with Grafana.
• Discuss the role of A/B testing in evaluating model updates before full-scale deployment.

Scalability and Performance

Question 3: How do you ensure scalability and performance of machine learning models in a production environment?

Scalability and performance are crucial for supporting the growing needs of an organization and demonstrate an MLOps professional’s capability to manage and enhance machine learning infrastructure.

• Resource Management: Utilize dynamic resource allocation to efficiently handle varying loads.
• Load Balancing: Implement load balancing and multithreading to distribute data processing across multiple servers.
• Efficient Algorithms: Opt for algorithms and data structures that scale well with increased data.

Answer Hints:

• Discuss the use of containerization technologies like Docker and Kubernetes for scaling applications.
• Explain how cloud services can be leveraged for elastic scalability and performance optimization.

Latency vs. Throughput in MLOps

Question 4: Discuss the trade-offs between latency and throughput in MLOps.

Balancing latency and throughput is a critical aspect of optimizing machine learning models for production environments. Here’s how these factors play against each other:

• Latency: Refers to the time it takes for a single data point to be processed through the model. Lower latency is crucial for applications that require real-time decision-making, such as fraud detection or autonomous driving.
• Throughput: Measures how much data the system can process in a given time frame. Higher throughput with BigQuery platform is essential for applications needing to handle large volumes of data efficiently, like batch processing in data analytics.

Answer Hints:

• When optimizing for latency, consider techniques such as model simplification, using more efficient algorithms, or hardware acceleration.
• For throughput, strategies like lossless quantization,parallel processing, increasing hardware capacity, or optimizing data pipeline management can be effective.

Tools and Frameworks

Question 5: Compare and contrast different MLOps platforms you have used (e.g., Kubeflow, MLflow, TFX).

Effective use of MLOps platforms involves understanding their strengths and weaknesses in various scenarios. Key points include:

• Kubeflow: Best for end-to-end orchestration of machine learning pipelines on Kubernetes.
• MLflow: Strong for experiment tracking, model versioning, and serving.
• TFX: Ideal for integrating with TensorFlow, providing components for deploying production-ready ML pipelines.

Answer Hints:

• Highlight the integration capabilities of each platform with existing enterprise systems.
• Discuss the learning curve and community support associated with each tool.

Comparing MLOps Platforms

Question 6: Compare and contrast different MLOps platforms you have used (e.g., Kubeflow, MLflow, TFX).

Choosing the right MLOps platform is crucial for the efficient management of machine learning models from development to deployment. Here’s a comparison of three popular platforms:

• Kubeflow: Ideal for users deeply integrated into the Kubernetes ecosystem, Kubeflow offers robust tools for building and deploying scalable machine learning workflows.
• MLflow: Excelling in experiment tracking and model management, MLflow is versatile for managing the ML lifecycle, including model versioning and serving.
• TFX (TensorFlow Extended): Specifically designed to support TensorFlow models, TFX provides end-to-end components needed to deploy production-ready ML pipelines.

Answer Hints:

• Kubeflow is great for those who need tight integration with Kubernetes’ scaling and managing capabilities.
• MLflow’s flexibility makes it suitable for various environments, not tying the user to any particular ML library or framework.
• TFX offers comprehensive support for TensorFlow, making it the go-to for TensorFlow users looking for advanced pipeline capabilities.

Leveraging Apache Spark for MLOps

Question 7: How do you leverage distributed computing frameworks like Apache Spark for MLOps?

Apache Spark is a powerful tool for handling large-scale data processing, which is a cornerstone of effective MLOps practices. Here’s how Spark enhances MLOps:

• Data Processing at Scale: Spark’s ability to process large datasets quickly and efficiently is invaluable for training complex machine learning models that require handling vast amounts of data.
• Stream Processing: With Spark Streaming, you can develop and deploy real-time analytics solutions, crucial for models requiring continuous input and immediate response.
• Integration with ML Libraries: Spark integrates seamlessly with popular machine learning libraries like MLlib, providing a range of algorithms that are optimized for distributed environments.

Answer Hints:

• Emphasize Spark’s scalability, explaining how it supports both batch and stream processing, which can be crucial for deploying models that need to operate in dynamic environments.
• Discuss the benefit of Spark’s built-in MLlib for machine learning tasks, which simplifies the development of scalable ML models.

Security and Compliance

Question 8: How do you address security concerns when deploying ML models in production?

Addressing security in machine learning deployments involves several strategic measures:

• Data Encryption: Use encryption for data at rest and in transit to protect sensitive information.
• Access Controls: Implement strict access controls and authentication protocols to limit who can interact with the models and data.
• Regular Audits: Conduct regular security audits and vulnerability assessments to identify and mitigate risks.

Answer Hints:

• Mention tools like HashiCorp Vault for managing secrets and AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM) for access controls.
• Discuss the importance of adhering to security best practices and frameworks like the NIST cybersecurity framework.

Ensuring Compliance with Data Protection Regulations in MLOps

Question 9: Explain how you ensure compliance with data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR) in MLOps.

Ensuring compliance with data protection regulations like GDPR is crucial in MLOps to protect user data and avoid legal penalties. Here’s how this can be achieved:

• Data Anonymization and Encryption: Implement strong data anonymization techniques to redact personally identifiable information (PII) from datasets used in training and testing models. Use encryption to secure data at rest and in transit.
• Access Controls and Auditing: Establish strict access controls to ensure that only authorized personnel have access to sensitive data. Maintain comprehensive audit logs to track access and modifications to data, which is essential for compliance.
• Data Minimization and Retention Policies: Adhere to the principle of data minimization by collecting only the data necessary for specific purposes. Implement clear data retention policies to ensure data is not kept longer than necessary.

Answer Hints:

• Highlight the use of technologies like secure enclaves for processing sensitive data and tools like Databricks for implementing and enforcing data governance.
• Discuss the role of continuous monitoring and regular audits to ensure ongoing compliance with data protection laws.

Optimization and Automation

Question 10: What techniques do you use for hyperparameter optimization at scale?

Optimizing hyperparameters efficiently at scale requires advanced techniques:

• Grid Search and Random Search: For exhaustive or random exploration of parameter space.
• Bayesian Optimization: For smarter, probability-based exploration of parameter space, focusing on areas likely to yield improvements.
• Automated Machine Learning (AutoML): Utilizes algorithms to automatically test and adjust parameters to find optimal settings.

Answer Hints:

• Discuss the use of platforms like Google Cloud’s AI Platform or Azure Machine Learning for implementing these techniques at scale.
• Explain the trade-offs between computation time and model accuracy when choosing optimization methods.

Automating the ML Pipeline End-to-End

Question 11: Describe your approach to automating the ML pipeline end-to-end.

Automating the machine learning pipeline from data collection to model deployment is essential for improving efficiency and reducing errors in production environments. Here’s a structured approach:

• Data Collection and Preparation: Automate the ingestion and preprocessing of data using scripts or tools that clean, transform, and normalize data, preparing it for analysis and model training.
• Model Training and Evaluation: Use automated scripts or workflow orchestration tools to train models on prepared datasets. Automatically evaluate model performance using predefined metrics to ensure they meet the required standards before deployment.
• Model Deployment and Monitoring: Automate the deployment process through continuous integration and continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines. Implement automated monitoring to track model performance and health in real-time, triggering alerts for any significant deviations.

Answer Hints:

• Discuss the use of tools like Jenkins or GitLab for CI/CD, which streamline the deployment of machine learning models into production.
• Highlight the role of monitoring frameworks like Prometheus or custom dashboards in Kubernetes to oversee model performance continuously.

Case Studies and Real-World Scenarios

Question 12: Discuss a complex MLOps project you led. What were the challenges and how did you overcome them?

Sharing a real-world example can illustrate practical problem-solving:

• Scenario Description: Outline the project’s scope, objectives, and the specific MLOps challenges encountered.
• Solutions Implemented: Describe the strategies used to address challenges such as data heterogeneity, scalability issues, or model drift.
• Outcomes and Learnings: Highlight the results achieved and lessons learned from the project.

Answer Hints:

• Emphasize the collaborative aspect of the project, detailing how cross-functional team coordination was crucial.
• Discuss the iterative improvements made based on continuous feedback and monitoring.

Integrating A/B Testing and Continuous Experimentation in MLOps

Question 13: How do you integrate A/B testing and continuous experimentation in MLOps?

Integrating A/B testing and continuous experimentation is crucial for optimizing and validating machine learning models in real-world settings. Here’s how this can be effectively implemented:

• Experiment Design: Start by clearly defining the objectives and hypotheses for the A/B tests. Determine what metrics will be used to measure success and how data will be split among different versions of the model.
• Implementation of Testing Framework: Use a robust platform that supports A/B testing and can route traffic between different model versions without disrupting user experience. Tools like TensorFlow Extended (TFX) or Kubeflow can manage deployments and experimentations seamlessly.
• Data Collection and Analysis: Ensure that data collected during the tests is clean and reliable. Analyze the performance of each model variant based on predefined metrics, using statistical tools to determine significant differences and make informed decisions.
• Iterative Improvements: Based on the results of A/B testing, continuously refine and retest models. Use insights from testing to enhance features, tune hyperparameters, or redesign parts of the model.

Answer Hints:

• Discuss the importance of using controlled environments and phased rollouts to minimize risks during testing.
• Mention the integration of continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) pipelines with A/B testing tools to automate the deployment and rollback of different model versions based on test results.

Best Practices and Trends

Question 14: What are the emerging trends in MLOps and how are you preparing for them?

Staying current with MLOps trends is key to advancing in the field:

• Automation and AI Operations: Increased use of automation in deploying and monitoring machine learning models.
• Federated Learning: This approach to training algorithms across multiple decentralized devices or servers ensures privacy and reduces data centralization risks.
• MLOps as a Service (MLOpsaaS): Rising popularity of cloud-based MLOps solutions, offering scalable and flexible model management.

Answer Hints:

• Highlight your ongoing education and training, such as participating in workshops and following industry leaders.
• Discuss how you incorporate these trends into your current projects or plans, demonstrating proactive adaptation.

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The post Advanced MLOps Interview Guide: Mastering Key Concepts for Technical Success appeared first on OpenCV.

SiFive recently introduced the HiFive Premier P550, a high-performance RISC-V development board for demanding applications. Designed in a compact Mini-DTX form factor, it supports Linux development and is optimized for RISC-V operating systems across various industries. This embedded platform is powered by the ESWIN EIC7700X SoC, featuring a Quad-Core SiFive P550 64-bit CPU with a […]

We are excited to announce SpaceNet as a sponsor of the Nextcloud Enterprise Day taking place on November 6 in Frankfurt, Germany!

With a track record extending over three decades, SpaceNet is now a leading provider of private, sovereign infrastructure solutions in Germany. As a Nextcloud Gold Partner, SpaceNet delivers a comprehensive range of Nextcloud hosting solutions. These services meet many business demands, from highly standardized cloud services ready for immediate use, to customized installations uniquely tailored to individual client requirements.

Positioned in the heart of Munich, Germany, SpaceNet’s data centers are at the forefront of managed Nextcloud offerings. This strategic location not only aligns with the stringent European data protection standards but also reinforces the commitment to providing robust security, supreme efficiency, and complete control over your data.

Register for the Nextcloud Enterprise Day today to secure your spot!

Register for Nextcloud Enterprise Day today to secure your spot!

Register now

About SpaceNet

SpaceNet is a Munich-based provider of managed services and data center solutions that prioritizes security and performance while strongly aligning with GDPR standards and principles. In acknowledgment of the distinct challenges each business faces, SpaceNet offers customized solutions tailored to the unique needs of their clients. SpaceNet has earned the trust of industry leaders such as MVV, Utopia.de, and Antenne Bayern, a testament to the commitment to excellence and innovation in IT solutions.

Providing secure hosting in Germany, SpaceNet contributes to the initiative to build a digitally sovereign European IT. A Gold Partner of Nextcloud, SpaceNet expands its offering with powerful capabilities of Nextcloud. Nextcloud is also a part of Zamadama, the self-service collaboration platform by SpaceNet. Managed Nextcloud is offered both as an immediately available standardised cloud solution and as a customised installation to fit individual requirements. 

About Nextcloud Enterprise Day

Nextcloud Enterprise Day is our top event of the year for business leaders, decision-makers, and project managers to achieve their goals with Nextcloud.

From customer presentations and success stories to networking opportunities and access to management, sales, marketing, and engineering teams, you’re bound to walk away with new information, techniques, and inspiration.

The upcoming edition takes place at the spectacular Radisson Blu hotel in Frankfurt, Germany. Early Bird tickets are limited.

Early Bird tickets are limited. Secure your spot.

Register now

The post SpaceNet joins as a sponsor for Nextcloud Enterprise Day 2024 in Frankfurt appeared first on Nextcloud.

Nextcloud has been awarded Platinum at the IT Awards 2024! This proves once again that love and support of our community is everything. Today, we celebrate this win together!

This recognition, decided by thousands of IT professionals, reflects the trust that our community places in us. It’s an incredible acknowledgment of our efforts to provide a secure, open-source, and flexible platform.

The IT Awards, hosted by Vogel IT Media, celebrate outstanding IT solutions across various categories. Being recognized in this highly competitive contest is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team.

At Nextcloud, our mission is to enable individuals and organizations to regain control of their data through solutions that prioritize data sovereignty and privacy. Winning the Platinum Award strengthens our commitment to this vision, showing that our approach resonates with users and professionals alike.

We are deeply grateful to our community, partners, and customers for their continued support. Your trust drives us to keep innovating and delivering solutions that meet the evolving demands of modern digital collaboration. We look forward to continuing this journey together, building a more open and secure digital future.

You can read a full overview of the winners in this article (in German).

The post Nextcloud wins Platinum at the IT Awards 2024! appeared first on Nextcloud.

Introduction

Networking is crucial for anyone in the computer vision field, facilitating opportunities for collaboration, career advancement, and staying current with technological advancements. Key networking platforms include LinkedIn, specialized forums, and major conferences.

1. Leveraging Online Professional Networks

LinkedIn Groups

Joining LinkedIn groups tailored to your interests in computer vision and related fields can greatly enhance your professional networking.

• Computer Vision,Generative AI,Edge Computing,Fine-tune Multimodal LLMs,Robotics,IoT,AR/VR,Medical – 45K connections
• Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Deep Learning, Computer Vision, Robotics, DataOps, Gen AI – 495K members
• Artificial Intelligence Investors Group: Robotics, Machine Learning, NLP, Computer Vision & IoT – 395K members
• Artificial Intelligence Investors Group: Robotics, AI & IoT, Machine Learning, NLP & Computer Vision – 150K members
• Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition – 82K

Tips for Engaging Effectively:

• Stay Active: Regularly post updates, share recent articles or projects, and comment on posts to maintain visibility.
• Quality Contributions: Share meaningful insights and ask thoughtful questions to foster engagement.
• Consistency is Key: Regular interactions help build your reputation as an active and informed member of the community.

Connecting with Industry Leaders

Networking with both mid-level and high-level professionals can lead to mentorship opportunities and career advancement. Personalizing your connection requests with a note on shared interests or professional admiration can make a significant difference.

Strategies for Effective Connection:

• Personalize Communication: Tailor your messages when reaching out to show genuine interest in their work.
• Follow Their Contributions: Regularly engage with their posts and publications to better understand their field of expertise.
• Direct Engagement: Commenting on their posts or mentioning their work in your posts can also attract their attention in a positive way.

Building Genuine Relationships:

• Focus on forming relationships based on mutual professional respect and interest rather than just seeking personal gain.
• Be patient and persistent, as building meaningful connections takes time.

Examples of Industry Leaders:

• Anelia Angelova at Google Research, known for her work in computer vision.
• Joseph Redmon, creator of YOLO (You Only Look Once), a popular real-time object detection system.
• Approach these leaders by commenting thoughtfully on their work, and when reaching out directly, mention specific aspects of their work that you admire or are interested in discussing further.

By actively participating in relevant LinkedIn groups and connecting with industry leaders, you can greatly enhance your visibility and opportunities within the computer vision community.

2. Attending Conferences and Meetups

Key Conferences

Attending major conferences such as the Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition (CVPR) and The International Conference on Computer Vision (ICCV) is invaluable for anyone in the field of computer vision. These events are significant because they gather the foremost thinkers, latest research, and the most innovative advancements in one place.

How to Make the Most of These Events:

• Network During Breaks: Use coffee breaks, lunch intervals, and social events to initiate conversations with other attendees.
• Engage in Panels and Q&A Sessions: Actively participate in discussions to both gain knowledge and get noticed by peers and leaders in the field.

Effective Networking Strategies at Events

To ensure you leave a lasting impression and establish connections that can lead to future opportunities, it’s crucial to have a strategy for networking at these events.

Preparing a Self-Introduction:

• Keep It Short and Relevant: Prepare a concise introduction that covers who you are, what you do, and what your interests are. Tailoring this based on whom you’re speaking to can make the interaction more relevant and engaging.
• Mention a Recent Project: Briefly mention a project or research you’re working on. It can serve as a great conversation starter.

Tips for Effective Follow-Up After the Event:

• Collect Contact Information: Whenever you have a meaningful interaction, ask for a business card or contact details.
• Send Follow-Up Emails: Within a few days after the event, send a personalized email referencing your conversation, expressing appreciation for the discussion, and suggesting a future catch-up or meeting if appropriate.
• Connect on LinkedIn: Send LinkedIn connection requests with a personalized message reminding them of your interaction at the conference.

By preparing effectively and engaging actively, attending key conferences can significantly expand your professional network and open doors to numerous opportunities within the computer vision community.

3. Engaging in Online Forums and Communities

Key Platforms:

• Reddit: Subreddits like r/computervision provide a casual yet informative space for discussion and advice.
• Stack Overflow: Known for problem-solving, this platform allows you to both seek help and offer advice on specific technical challenges in computer vision.
• Specialized Forums: Websites like KDnuggets offer articles, forums, and blogs tailored to data science and machine learning, providing more niche content and expert insights.

Benefits of Regular Contributions:

• Establishing Thought Leadership: By regularly contributing valuable insights and solutions, you can establish yourself as an expert in your field.
• Continuous Learning: Engaging with other professionals helps you stay updated with the latest techniques and challenges in computer vision.
• Increased Visibility: Active participation increases your visibility within the community, making you more recognizable and enhancing your professional reputation.

Engaging on GitHub

GitHub is not just a tool for code sharing but also a platform for collaboration and networking. By following projects and participating in them, you can connect with other professionals who share your interests.

Strategies for Engagement on GitHub:

• Follow Relevant Projects: Keep tabs on projects that align with your interests or work. Watching a project allows you to receive notifications on updates and discussions.
• Contribute to Projects: Contributing code, documentation, or even bug reports can help you get noticed by the project’s maintainers and community. It’s a practical way to show your skills and dedication.
• Participate in Discussions: Join discussions on issues and pull requests, or start your own to engage with the community. This can lead to meaningful connections and collaborations.

4. Direct Outreach Strategies

Identify high-level professionals in your field:

• Fei-Fei Li (Stanford University)
• Yann LeCun (New York University, Facebook AI Research)
• Andrej Karpathy (OpenAI)

Follow their work and engage with their content on social media and academic platforms.

Attend their talks and presentations at conferences.

Tip: Direct outreach might not always get a response, but consistent and thoughtful engagement can help you get noticed.

Reaching Out to Industry Professionals and Researchers 

• Identify key mid-level professionals and researchers in your field:
  • Anelia Angelova (Google Research)
  • Joseph Redmon (YOLO creator)
  • Tomasz Malisiewicz (Co-founder of vision.ai)
  • Satya Mallick (CEO, Opencv.org)
• Send concise and respectful messages.
• Request informational interviews or coffee chats.

Tip: Highlight common interests or connections to make your outreach more effective.

5. Practical Tips and Benefits of Networking

Career Opportunities: Networking significantly enhances access to job opportunities and collaborative projects within the computer vision field. Connections made through professional networks often lead to referrals and insights about openings not publicly advertised.

Staying Informed and Supported: Regular interaction with a network keeps you informed about the latest trends and technological advancements. Insights and advice from experienced professionals within your network can guide your career decisions and provide solutions to complex challenges.

Building a Supportive Network: A robust network acts as a support system for career growth and problem-solving. Engaging with a diverse group of professionals ensures a wide range of perspectives and potential assistance in tackling both technical and career-related challenges.

Through effective networking, professionals in computer vision can unlock doors to enhanced career opportunities, gain valuable insights, and develop a supportive community conducive to growth and innovation.

6. Enhancing Skills through Educational Resources

OpenCV University Courses:

• Available Courses:
  • Free Courses: OpenCV University offers no-cost courses ideal for beginners or those refreshing their skills, covering basics like image processing and machine learning fundamentals.
    • OpenCV Free Bootcamp
    • TensorFlow Free Bootcamp
    • Free Python Course
• Premium Courses: Advanced topics such as deep learning, object detection, and image recognition are explored in detail, catering to more experienced professionals.
• Benefits of Course Enrollment:
  • Skill Advancement: Courses are designed to enhance technical expertise, from foundational concepts to cutting-edge applications in computer vision.
  • Career Opportunities: Completing these courses improves employability and readiness for advanced roles, equipping learners with the skills demanded in the industry.
  • Access to Experts: Learning from industry leaders through these courses offers insights into the latest research and practical applications, enhancing understanding and innovation.

Conclusion

• Key Strategies: Utilize online platforms, attend conferences, and practice direct outreach.
• Career Advancement: Networking opens doors to job opportunities and collaborations.
• Insight and Support: Stay informed and receive guidance from experienced professionals.
• Active Participation: Engage consistently to build and maintain a supportive professional network.
• Benefits: Enhance career prospects and keep abreast of developments in computer vision.

The post Networking and Skill Enhancement for Computer Vision Professionals appeared first on OpenCV.

3 years after a formal antitrust complaint by Nextcloud and 30 other European tech companies the German antitrust authorities (“Bundeskartellamt”) have announced that Microsoft is now “subject to extended abuse control” as they are determined to be of “paramount significance across markets”. The good news, quoting their announcement:

Based on this provision, the Bundeskartellamt can prohibit companies which have such positions of power from engaging in anti-competitive practices.

As you might be aware, in 2021 we assembled a coalition of like minded European tech companies and filed a complaint with the European Commission’s antitrust authorities. There has been virtually no movement on that for years. We also filed a complaint with the German antitrust authority, which in 2023 announced the start of an investigation to determine if Microsoft might have a lot of market power. After a year and a half, they are now at that point. An investigation thus has not been started, but the doors are open for them to look into the actual behaviour of the tech giant from Redmond.

3 years of more anticompetitive behaviour from Microsoft

In the mean time, Microsoft has increased its anti-competitive behaviour. The company proceeded with integrating OneDrive deeper into Windows and making it harder to use Windows without OneDrive account. It also blocked attempts by Nextcloud to gain access to interoperability API’s that would allow Nextcloud users to save files to Nextcloud from Microsoft Office apps. And it accidentally uploaded user files to OneDrive even if those users didn’t want it to do that.

The European Commission has made little progress on the complaint we filed. Interestingly, a later complaint by another American big tech firm, Salesforce (Slack) about Teams bundling with Microsoft 365 did result in a relatively prompt investigation.

Quoting our CEO and founder, Frank, from our press release:

“Over the past three years, Nextcloud has submitted extensive documentation and other evidence of anti-competitive behavior by Microsoft. The Federal Cartel Office today determined that Microsoft has particular market power. This is an important step to prohibit future anti-competitive practices by the US company.

This is an important step forward, and we look forward to an investigation.

The post Germany recognises Microsoft as tech giant appeared first on Nextcloud.

The StarPro64 is the latest addition to PINE64’s line of RISC-V-based hardware, continuing their commitment to the architecture over the past three years. Key features include support for up to 32GB of RAM, dual Gigabit Ethernet ports, and more. Since 2021, several of PINE64’s devices, including the popular Pinecil, have adopted RISC-V. While the Ox64 […]

3 years after a formal antitrust complaint by Nextcloud and 30 other European tech companies the German antitrust authorities (“Bundeskartellamt”) have announced that Microsoft is now “subject to extended abuse control” as they are determined to be of “paramount significance across markets”. The good news, quoting their announcement:

Based on this provision, the Bundeskartellamt can prohibit companies which have such positions of power from engaging in anti-competitive practices.

As you might be aware, in 2021 we assembled a coalition of like minded European tech companies and filed a complaint with the European Commission’s antitrust authorities. There has been virtually no movement on that for years. We also filed a complaint with the German antitrust authority, which in 2023 announced the start of an investigation to determine if Microsoft might have a lot of market power. After a year and a half, they are now at that point. An investigation thus has not been started, but the doors are open for them to look into the actual behaviour of the tech giant from Redmond.

3 years of more anticompetitive behaviour from Microsoft

In the mean time, Microsoft has increased its anti-competitive behaviour. The company proceeded with integrating OneDrive deeper into Windows and making it harder to use Windows without OneDrive account. It also blocked attempts by Nextcloud to gain access to interoperability API’s that would allow Nextcloud users to save files to Nextcloud from Microsoft Office apps. And it accidentally uploaded user files to OneDrive even if those users didn’t want it to do that.

The European Commission has made little progress on the complaint we filed. Interestingly, a later complaint by another American big tech firm, Salesforce (Slack) about Teams bundling with Microsoft 365 did result in a relatively prompt investigation.

Quoting our CEO and founder, Frank, from our press release:

“Over the past three years, Nextcloud has submitted extensive documentation and other evidence of anti-competitive behavior by Microsoft. The Federal Cartel Office today determined that Microsoft has particular market power. This is an important step to prohibit future anti-competitive practices by the US company.

This is an important step forward, and we look forward to an investigation.

The post Germany recognises Microsoft as tech giant appeared first on Nextcloud.

The HiFiBerry DAC8x and HiFiBerry Amp4 Pro are two significant upgrades for enhancing audio capabilities on the Raspberry Pi 5. These devices expand the audio options for users seeking higher-quality output and greater flexibility in audio configurations, offering solutions for both multi-channel audio and powerful stereo amplification. The HiFiBerry DAC8x addresses a long-standing limitation of […]

Please update to a new version to keep your data safe!

If you are using Nextcloud Hub 7 or 8, we strongly recommend you to update to version 28.0.10 or 29.0.7 respectively. Maintenance updates include important bug fixes, stability and security upgrades. It is a quick and safe process, as always!

About the updates

The updates include a number of important bug fixes and performance optimization, as well as other improvements in all supported Nextcloud versions. You can find the full changelog on our website.

Updates are available for:

• Nextcloud Hub 7 (version 28.0.10)
• Nextcloud Hub 8 (version 29.0.7)

Nextcloud Hub 9 is coming!

Nextcloud Hub 9 will be launched on September 14th @10am (CEST) in an online event. Register now to participate in the live presentation and be among the first to experience it!

Sign up

Always keep your server up to date!

Nextcloud’s minor releases primarily focus on addressing security vulnerabilities and functionality bugs, avoiding major system overhauls that could jeopardize user data. Keeping your server up to date is vital, and our approach to testing and validation ensures that upgrading to minor releases is generally smooth and reliable.

For mission-critical Nextcloud systems in enterprise settings, consider switching to Nextcloud Enterprise. The tier provides you with ultimate deployment confidence: direct access to the Nextcloud engineering team, full assistance throughout deployment and integration, and peace of mind for system administrators. If you’re responsible for maintaining Nextcloud in your setting, this option may be the ideal solution for you.

The post September updates for Nextcloud Hub 7 and 8 are here appeared first on Nextcloud.

The primary appeal of microcontrollers is their versatility. They are, essentially, the embedded equivalent of computers — general purpose devices that can perform a wide range of functions. And to get the most out of a microcontroller, you’ll also want connectivity suitable for your application. That’s why we released the Arduino Nano Matter and YouTuber Mr Innovative has shared a great video illustrating how easy it is to build an energy meter using this new development board.

The Nano Matter is based on the powerful Silicon Labs MGM240S, which has an Arm Cortex-M33 processor and support for a number of wireless connectivity options, including 802.15.4 (Zigbee and Thread), Bluetooth® Low Energy 5.3, Bluetooth® Mesh, and Matter. That makes the Nano Matter perfect for smart home and other Internet of Things applications. To demonstrate that, Mr Innovative created an energy meter that would be useful to many people around the world.

This unit monitors the power flowing to any device or appliance connected to mains AC power. It displays information about that power consumption on a small OLED screen, and also sends the data over Bluetooth to a connected smartphone for logging. The Nano Matter can’t monitor mains AC voltage directly, so Mr Innovative used a ZMCT103C current transformer for the job. The Arduino receives its power from a 9V battery and the components fit inside a 3D-printed enclosure. A printed sticker label gives that a nice, smooth top finish. 

The post Easily build an energy meter with the Arduino Nano Matter appeared first on Arduino Blog.

Team Ikaro is a vibrant group of high school students from the Pacinotti Archimede Institute in Rome, sharing a strong passion for electronics and turning heads in the world of robotics! Specializing in Soccer Lightweight games (where robot-soccer players compete to score goals on a miniature field), they clinched the first place at the Romecup 2024 and won Italy’s national Robocup in Verbania earlier this year – earning the right to compete in the world championships in Eindhoven, where they placed third in the SuperTeam competition.

The brains behind the bots

Utilizing the versatile Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect, the team has crafted highly efficient robots that feature ultrasound sensors, PCB boards, a camera, four motors, a solenoid kicker and omni-directional wheels, all meticulously assembled in the school’s FabLab.

Mentored by professor Paolo Torda, Team Ikaro exemplifies the spirit of innovation and teamwork bringing together three talented students: Francesco D’Angelo, the team leader, focuses on system design and mechanics; Flavio Crocicchia, the software developer, ensures the robots’ brains are as sharp as possible; Lorenzo Addario specializes in camera software, making sure the robots can “see” and react swiftly on the field. Their combined efforts have led to a seamless integration of hardware and software, and established a foundation of passion and ambition for future success in their careers.

Future goals

After their first taste of global competition, Team Ikaro is determined to continue refining their robots, leveraging every bit of knowledge and experience they gain – whether in the classroom, lab, or live challenges. At Arduino, we are proud to sponsor such brilliant young minds and look forward to seeing what they will accomplish next!

The post Team Ikaro scores success with the Arduino Nano RP2040 Connect! appeared first on Arduino Blog.