OTel Sucks (But Also Rocks!) - The Evolution of OpenTelemetry

This conference talk explores the dual nature of OpenTelemetry (OTel) in the observability landscape, highlighting both its frustrating challenges and remarkable strengths. Inspired by the "Linux Sucks" format, the speakers provide a candid assessment of OTel's evolution. Learn about the initial complexity of SDK configuration and how the Config SIG has worked to simplify it, the collector challenges including tail-sampling difficulties and Prometheus performance issues, and the sometimes painful changes to semantic conventions like HTTP standards. Discover how these challenges are balanced by OTel's impressive capabilities, including handling multiple signals in a single binary with excellent performance using OTLP and the long-term benefits of unified standards. Featuring authentic user perspectives, this brutally honest yet optimistic presentation is valuable for anyone working with OpenTelemetry's ecosystem, whether you're struggling with its complexities or leveraging its strengths.