Ellyne Phneah

About the Talk

• Tell us about your talk? Why did you choose this topic?

  My talk centers around the practical aspects of forming and growing successful PostgreSQL User Groups (PUGs). This originated from my experience in establishing the Malmö PostgreSQL User Group (M-PUG). Through this process, I gained firsthand insights into the challenges and opportunities involved in building a thriving community around an open-source technology. I recognized a need to empower others to create and grow their own PUGs. Even though there is a lot of enthusiasm for PostgreSQL, the process of organizing and sustaining a user group is daunting. My goal is to equip attendees with the knowledge and confidence to build vibrant PostgreSQL communities in their own cities.

• Who would benefit the most from your talk and why?

  My talk is ideal for anyone looking to build or grow a PostgreSQL community. This includes aspiring organizers needing a roadmap, current leaders seeking new strategies, and PostgreSQL advocates wanting to expand their reach. Developers and DBAs will also benefit from learning how to foster a strong local network for knowledge sharing and collaboration.

• What existing knowledge should an attendee have?

  No technical background is required! Attendees will benefit from an interest in PostgreSQL and community building. The talk is designed to be accessible to anyone eager to learn how to create thriving PostgreSQL communities.

• Which other talk at this year’s conference would you like to watch and why?

  It's tough to pick just one, as there are so many interesting talks, however, there are two talks I'm particularly excited about.

  I'm really looking forward to 'Postgres Storytelling: Cunning Schema Design with Creative Data Modeling' by Boriss Mejias and Sarah Conway. I believe that presenting technical concepts in an engaging narrative can make them more accessible and memorable. Furthermore, the focus on the collaboration between developers and DBAs aligns perfectly with my own experience in fostering community and shared understanding.

  I'm also interested in 'Managing Postgres at Scale: Challenges, Tools & Techniques' by Karen Jex. As PostgreSQL is increasingly adopted by larger organizations, the ability to manage large databases and numerous instances becomes paramount. This talk promises to provide valuable insights into architecture, automation, disaster recovery, and monitoring – all crucial elements for ensuring the reliability and efficiency of PostgreSQL in demanding environments.

About PostgreSQL

• What is your favorite PostgreSQL extension or tool? And why?

  While PostgreSQL has a dynamic ecosystem of extensions and tools, I'm particularly excited about those that enhance its performance and efficiency. In this space, my company, DBtune, offers a compelling AI-powered PostgreSQL performance tuning tool. DBtune provides a fundamentally different approach to PostgreSQL optimization.

  Traditional PostgreSQL server parameter tuning is a complex and time-consuming task, requiring deep expertise and constant monitoring. DBtune automates this process by analyzing PostgreSQL workloads and dynamically adjusting configuration settings to maximize performance. This can lead to significant improvements in query runtime, resource utilization, and overall database stability by automating the optimization of crucial parameters like shared_buffers and work_mem.

• If you had a magic wand, what single thing would you change in PostgreSQL as it is today?

  I would focus on significantly enhancing the accessibility and ease of performance optimization. PostgreSQL is renowned for its powerful configurability but can be complex, especially for users who aren't seasoned database administrators. Currently, achieving optimal performance often requires a deep understanding of numerous parameters, intricate monitoring, and sometimes, a degree of trial and error. This complexity can create a barrier to entry, preventing some users from fully leveraging PostgreSQL's capabilities or leading to suboptimal performance in production environments.

  My ideal change would be for PostgreSQL to have intelligent automation and simplified parameter management. PostgreSQL could incorporate more intelligent, built-in mechanisms for automated performance tuning, analyzing workload patterns and dynamically suggesting or even applying configuration adjustments within safe boundaries. It could also have improved tools and interfaces for monitoring to explain its performance. This includes clearer insights on how specific server parameters could affect performance and offering guidance on potential optimizations.

  By making PostgreSQL performance tuning more accessible and intuitive, we can empower a broader range of users to build high-performing and scalable applications.

About POSETTE & Events

• Could you share a memorable moment from a previous PostgreSQL conference you attended or spoke at?

  One of my most memorable experiences was being a keynote speaker at PgDay Paris. It was my first time delivering the first talk at a PostgreSQL conference, and preparing for it pushed me to synthesize my experiences and articulate my vision for community building in a clear and compelling way.

  The PostgreSQL community's incredible support and encouragement made the experience truly special. I was struck by the warmth and enthusiasm of the attendees, and the positive feedback I received after the talk was incredibly rewarding. It reinforced my belief in the power of community and the importance of creating inclusive and supportive spaces within the tech world.

• What other PostgreSQL events in 2025 are you excited about and why?

  I'm excited about several PostgreSQL events in 2025. In particular, I'm looking forward to speaking at PostgreSQL Conference Germany, as it's a major event in the community. Germany has a strong PostgreSQL presence, I'm also eager for the PostgreSQL Conference Europe in Riga, Latvia later this year. As the largest PostgreSQL conference in Europe, it's a key opportunity to connect with a broad range of experts and users. These conferences are vital for sharing knowledge and fostering the continued growth of PostgreSQL.