Sun, 11 May 2008

JavaOne Final Thoughts

As usual, I didn't write anything for day three. It could have had something to do with the After Dark Bash, but, who knows. This year's JavaOne was interesting. I looked primarily at scripting for the Java environment. I really like Ruby, but Groovy might be best for our environment since the more Java-centric nature of the language may appeal to the majority of our Java-centric programmers.

The bash this year was more enjoyable than those in the past. Perhaps because it was outside, the noise and general sense of long-lines for everything was lessened. Smash Mouth gave a good concert and the length was just about right.

And speaking of lines. I think that JavaOne should work on a way to eliminate, or at least reduce, those. A hardward/software combination which could manage that would be very impressive. I don't think it can be done since there are just too many people in too small a space to make that practical. I also think that human beings just have a natural tendency to queue.

The general sessions were generally (little pun there, very little) OK. I prefer those which speak to the general future of development rather than provide a single company touting their achievements, but I also realize that the platinum sponsors pay a lot of money to be there and need a little perk to help them recouop that cost.

I spent quite a bit of time in labs this year. Although some of these are a bit confusing, the fact that I used my laptop for two of them means that I came away with an environment which can run the lab and I can do some experimenting myself with the techniques. I find it somewhat difficult to actually learn something during these as you are trying to get things done and following the general directions. Like lots of things in Java EE, I find the number of files and places where you have to change things confusing and just going through the steps doesn't do it for me. I need to work through the techniques later to understand just what is going on in the relationship between elements.

Anyway, I made it home OK. I rode on the train with a Sun employee who blogs about technical issues for Sun. Interesting gentleman with an interesting job. Perhaps as I get older, I should blog about something and actually try to make some money with it.

posted 08:38 [/Technology] permanent link