Five Years of Running a Systems Reading Group at Microsoft

4 hours ago

Started a reading group in 2021 focused on database internals, expanding to broader systems topics over time.
Initial format involved reading and discussing one-off papers, later evolving to guided reading series for deeper exploration.
Key papers discussed include 'Algorithms Behind Modern Storage Systems', 'WiscKey', and 'The Bw-Tree'.
Group scope expanded beyond databases to include memory hierarchies, consensus protocols, and datacenter foundations.
Lessons learned: start small, let scope grow organically, guided series are more effective, and having a co-organizer helps.
Benefits include learning new topics and building connections with like-minded colleagues across Microsoft.
Advice for starting a reading group: keep it simple, be consistent, and make it easy for participants to join.

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