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Barbara Forbes

Azure Architect @ Zure, Microsoft Azure MVP, Microsoft Certified Trainer, and GitHub Star. Teacher @ LinkedIn Learning, Speaker and organizer @ conferences.

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Barbara Forbes

Latest Updates

Latest Video

Change your email address for one git repo | #Git tip 21

Change your email address for one git repo | #Git tip 21

Jun 25, 2026

Latest Posts

Git tip 21: When you set up git on your device for the first time, you configured your email address and user name. What if you need to use a different account for a specific repo? No problem! Want to learn the git basics? Find my course on LinkedIn Learning https://www.linkedin.com/learning/git-essential-training-25677984

Jun 25, 2026

Microsoft just released MAI-Code-1-Flash in GitHub Copilot, their first coding model. They claim it beats Claude Haiku. I ran a few very unscientific tests in VS Code to see how they actually compare. Find the short on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Ba4bes/shorts

Jun 21, 2026

Online Courses

Video courses on development tools and cloud infrastructure.

LinkedIn Learning: Git Essential Training

LinkedIn Learning: Git Essential Training

Learn the fundamentals of Git version control, from basic commands to branching strategies and collaboration workflows.

1h 42m

25 minutes of Azure

Learn Microsoft defender for cloud in 60 Seconds | One Minute of Azure

Learn Microsoft defender for cloud in 60 Seconds | One Minute of Azure

Dec 28, 2025

View All Linkedin Courses View 25 minutes of Azure

Conference Sessions

Talks, presentations and workshops at tech conferences.

The Microsoft Cloud Adoption Framework: What the Docs don’t tell you

The Microsoft Cloud Adoption Framework for Azure promises a flexible environment where developers have the freedom to innovate while keeping data and resources secure. Sounds great right? It is, but real life implementations can often come with some challenges. Including the first world problem of too much documentation.In this session, we'll look at the Cloud Adoption Framework and how you can use it effectively. I will take your through each step of the Framework and the challenges that came with them in the real world implementations. Spoiler alert: It’s often not the technology that’s the problem! By the end of this talk you will have actionable knowledge to shape your own Azure journey to its fullest potential

Coding in the Cloud: A guide to GitHub Codespaces

With GitHub Codespaces, you can enjoy coding effortlessly, straight from your browser! Use whatever device to write your code. No installation, no fuss. Codespaces are avaliable for everyone with a GitHub account for free. A great opportunity to get a better development experience, whether you are a developer or an operations expert.In this session, I'll walk you through the ins and outs of Codespaces and show you how to create one from your GitHub repo. We'll cover a range of use cases, settings, and how to work with Visual Studio Code to get the most out of your Codespace. By the end of this session, you'll be all set to dive in and start using Codespaces with ease!

Implementing Azure Policies: Before the Portal

As your Azure environment grows, you'll need to find ways to keep everything organized. Especially with structures like the Microsoft Cloud Adoption Framework, it's important to set boundaries to manage the endless possibilities that Azure has to offer. So you create policies to help maintain control, security, and compliance in your environment.But where do you begin? The options seem endless. Should you use all of them?In this talk, we'll look at the starting point. Guess what; it isn't the Azure portal. We'll see how to determine the policies you need and how to simplify your Azure experience rather than complicate it.We'll also address common challenges and mistakes in Azure policy as seen from the field. At the end, you will have a clearer understanding that will help you make the best choices and make Azure policy work for you.

Coding smarter with GitHub Copilot

AI is changing the way we work. But how do we actually create more value with it?You've seen what GitHub Copilot can do. But in this session, we will focus on what matters: how to get consistently better results, instead of feeling like you’re explaining your code to a toddler.Through live demos, we’ll explore how GitHub tools can be customized and managed to become your (slightly annoying) coworker. One that actually saves time, comes up with options you might miss, and occasionally surprises you in a good way.You’ll walk away with a clear overview and practical tips on which tools and models to use.Let's find out how we can make AI work for us to bring our ideas to life.

This title was written by AI — and that’s only the beginning

What happens when you let AI write your code, your posts, and your plans? Only one way to find out.In this talk, I share what happened when I let AI take over my workflow: writing full coding projects, managing my LinkedIn presence, scheduling my time, creating videos, and even teaching me new frameworks. From hallucinated pull requests to surprisingly useful insights, each experiment revealed how much (and how little) we can delegate to machines. I will tell you my experiences and if I could have predicted them beforehand. You’ll leave with real examples, honest takeaways, and a new sense of how you can let AI help shape your life, without losing the human logic behind it.

AI as Your Sidekick: Real Lessons, Real Results

What happens when you let AI write your code, your posts, and your plans? In this talk I share what happened when I put AI to work across everything: shipping apps to production, managing my LinkedIn presence, automating my planning, even learning new frameworks. Each experiment showed the same pattern: AI gives back exactly as much as you put into managing it. I will tell you what worked, what failed, and how you can improve your own results based on my lessons learned.You'll leave with real examples, an honest cost/benefit breakdown, and a clear sense of how to get more value out of your new artificial friend, without losing the human logic behind it.

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Useful Resources

Links and resources referenced in my videos and content.

  • 🔗 Static Website Deployment workflow with GitHub Actions

    Referenced in Build Once, Deploy 3 Ways (Astro on Azure + GitHub Actions)
  • 🔗 ChatGPT Personalization

    Mentioned in the talk "This title was written by AI" and How I Got ChatGPT to Show Its Work (Custom Instructions)
  • 🔗 AzVerify

    A set of Copilot skills to sync between Azure, Bicep and the architecture diagram
  • 🔗 Copilot Pricing Sheet

    View the Copilot pricing and model guidance sheet with added explanations

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