Just Enough Istio to be Dangerous

🏆 **Course Overview** The course offers a solid introduction to Istio, with some additional coverage on Google Cloud (GKS) where the demo examples are based. Overall, the content is well-received for providing a good overview of Istio, though it's noted that the pace can be quite brisk and dense for those new to the subject. **Pros:** - **Comprehensive Introduction**: The course effectively introduces learners to Istio and its functionalities within Google Cloud Services. - **Informative Content**: Students find the material informative and beneficial for understanding what Istio does and why it's useful in microservices architectures. - **Step-by-Step Guidance**: The course is noted to follow the official Istio documentation, which is a significant advantage for those who prefer a hands-on approach. - **Free Educational Resource**: The fact that the course is offered for free is highly appreciated by learners. - **Clear Instructions on Installation**: Some users highlight the ease with which Istio can be installed as a positive aspect of the course. **Cons:** - **Fast Pace**: A recurring theme in reviews is that the pace at which the lecturer presents the content is too fast, making it challenging for newcomers to keep up. - **Prior Knowledge Required**: It's suggested that some understanding of Istio and microservices would be beneficial before starting the course. - **Video Titles and Content Misalignment**: Some video titles do not accurately reflect their content, which can be confusing for learners. - **Lack of Detailed Explanations**: The course is criticized for not going into enough detail, particularly in explaining YAML files and the specifics of how certain functionalities, like traffic shifting on a user login, are implemented. - **Unclear Demonstrations**: There's feedback that the switching between screen recordings could be simplified, with a suggestion to clarify Istio's purpose and usage before diving into demonstrations. - **Pedagogical Approach**: Some users feel that the instructor's approach lacks additional insights or value beyond what's provided in the documentation. **Additional Feedback:** - **Recommendation for a "Hello World" Example**: It's suggested that using a simpler "hello world" application instead of the more complex BookInfo sample app could make the course more accessible to beginners. - **Background Information**: A recommendation is made to include a brief background and description of what Istio installs, which would be helpful for understanding the scope of the software. - **Course Follow-Up**: Despite some shortcomings, several users express their intention to follow the rest of the course and purchase more advanced courses related to Istio, indicating the course's potential to interest learners further. **Final Thoughts:** The course is generally well-received for its introduction to Istio, with a few areas identified for improvement regarding pacing, detailed explanations, and video content alignment. It is recommended for those who have some background knowledge in the area but may be challenging for complete beginners. Despite these issues, the course's free nature, alignment with official documentation, and step-by-step guidance make it a valuable resource for learners interested in understanding or utilizing Istio in their projects.