Apache Kafka 4.1 has landed: with queue support in preview, improved Kafka Streams coordination, and new security and metrics features, this release marks a major milestone for the future of real-time data systems.

From structuring data streams to spinning up full pipelines locally, our latest Kafka x Flink meetup in Melbourne was packed with hands-on demos and real-time insights. Catch the highlights and what's next.

Factor House has opened a public Slack for anyone working with streaming data, from seasoned engineers to newcomers exploring real-time systems. This space offers faster peer-to-peer support, open discussion across the ecosystem, and a friendly on-ramp for those just getting started.

Jumpstart your journey into modern data engineering with Factor House Local. Explore pre-configured Docker environments for Kafka, Flink, Spark, and Iceberg, enhanced with enterprise-grade tools like Kpow and Flex. Our hands-on labs guide you step-by-step, from building your first Kafka client to creating a complete data lakehouse and real-time analytics system. It's the fastest way to learn, prototype, and build sophisticated data platforms.