Happy New Year

["Burr Sutter" <sutter@bravepoint.com>]

Happy New Year from AJUG!

Our next meeting will be January 21st.  Details will be forthcoming.

The purpose of this particular email is to simply start a conversation
related to AJUG 2003 priorities and planning. That conversation will take
place on the AJUG Members list (you can't reply to the announcement list).
If you are not already on that list you can send an email to
ajug-members-request@www.ajug.org with a subject of "subscribe".

I realize this is not the normal usage of our announcement list but we are
trying to get creative by including as many people in the planning process
as possible!

At the December meeting, the membership voted on possible topics for 2003
and the following candidate topics received the highest scores:
- Design Patterns
- Web Services
- Guru Night
- Design Patterns for multi-threading
- J2EE
- Programming Tips & Techniques
- JDO, OJB
- Jakarta Overview
- Effective Java
- J2ME
- Newbie Night

Also, here are the top "write-in" candidate topics:
- Linux
- Jython
- Java Puzzles Night & coding competitions (bring your laptop and let's
code)
- UML
- Java vs .NET
- Several mentioned having an opportunity for more networking (perhaps the
before and after each meeting in the Wyndham bar isn't working)
- Bitter Java (book by Bruce Tate)
- Java and .NET synergies

I mention these simply because they may have received more votes had they
actually been on the ballot sheet.

My purpose is to open up these items for discussion. Here are my specific
questions on these topics:
- Design Patterns: Gang of Four or J2EE BluePrints or something else?  We
have talked to Floyd Marinescu of TheServerSide.com (EJB Design Patterns)
but couldn't get him scheduled.
- Web Services: An introduction or something more advanced?
- Guru Night: The vision here is for a panel of experts to lead a discussion
on skills needed for the architect-level guru developer.  What specific
skills do you think are important? Who do you think should be on the
"expert" panel?
- J2EE: Always a top vote getter but more or less covered in almost every
topic we have. Is there anything specific about J2EE that needs to be
covered? Or do we need an introduction to J2EE?
- Programming Tips & Techniques could be combined with the Effective Java
concept.  We could ask Joshua Bloch to present. Can you think of any local
expert that would be willing to speak on this topic?
- J2ME:  Since I've met very few people working on J2ME in Atlanta, I assume
the desire here is for an introduction to this technology.  Comments?
Volunteers?
- Newbie Night: The vision here is for a panel of Java developers to lead a
discussion on skills needed for the new Java developer to break into the
J2EE career path.  Comments?

The actual discussion will take place on the ajug-members list.

We have multiple speakers that are interested some topics. We are always
looking for the local expert to speak instead of the vendor representative
that flies in from another part of the country. However, there will be times
when a vendor speaks on a particular topic.

Please note that getting a presentation on stage will depend on the
availability of a qualified speaker and getting things scheduled.

Finally, Lee Chalupa (from the Java Certification Group) has provided us
with several very useful ideas.  One that stands out is the concept of a
market analysis.  The concept is that the Java development community should
participate in developing some form of market research related to marketable
skills and potentially hiring companies.  After all the people on this email
list represent the actual "feet on the street" either looking for work or
currently on projects.  It would be really nice just to hear about stories
and case studies where a local corporation successfully built and deployed a
Java-based solution.  We can certainly do this without revealing the names
and contacts of those companies (perhaps consultants will be more
forthcoming with this information).  If you know a Java developer that is
not on our list ask them to get added. The more experienced Java developers
and energy we bring to the email list and meetings will benefit everyone.

Let the noise begin!

Thanks,
Burr
AJUG President and Program Chair