IO2008

This is a continuation post from Google I/O Day 1.

With a fresh perspective after the Day 1 sessions, I reworked my schedule to try and make the most of what Google I/O had to offer. The keynote for Day 2 was given by Marissa Mayer, which admittedly made me a little star struck. I read about her in The Google Story– she was the first female employee and part of the first handful hired at Google. I thought it was pretty cool that she was addressing us. Of the advice she had to offer, she mentioned something also mentioned in The Google Story; have a healthy disrespect for the impossible. It was this thought that constantly lead Larry, Sergey, and the rest of Google to do the things they do. It’s what made Larry and Sergey start Google. So with that phrase in mind, I went on to Day 2 of the conference.

I did two things I didn’t get to do on Day 1: A Code Lab and a Fireside Chat. For the code lab, I worked with the Google Maps API. The lab was incredibly helpful. There was a website with about 24 slides showing different things you can do with the API, some of them being demonstrated by the Google developer running the lab. Then we were given a link to instructions and got to work at our own pace making different API calls. Developers, of course, were there to answer any questions we had.

Then there was the Fireside Chat I attended, which was on the topic of Android. Eight engineers from the Android team were there to informally answer questions as long as we could come up with them. I didn’t ask any, but plenty I had [or should have had] got answered.

All in all, this was a pretty great learning experience that gave me a lot of new insight not only on Android, GAE, or other Google products, but Software Development in general. Just hearing some of the engineers speak was truly inspiring. It was also eye opening to the fact that there is so much I need to learn (not that I didn’t know that already, but this made it a little more concrete). And not only did I learn about software development, but also about running a business, how to treat users, and some new ways of thinking and problem solving. I feel they took the “Cura Personalis” approach the University of Scranton takes (translates to ‘Care for the whole person’). The people at Google know what it takes to teach and to get people to learn.

So will I do it again next year? You better believe it.

When I first got to Google I/O I made note of a few things. “It’s like 85% male,” “Wow there are a lot of smart phones,” and “There are a lot more Macs here than I thought there would be.” Of course, once I was all checked in, settled and the keynote started, I was nothing less than blown away by what they had to show us. I can’t really recap everything covered, however I was really struck by the Google Web Toolkit. The GWT allows you to write programs in Java and then convert them to AJAX (Javascript, etc.). To be honest, I didn’t even think that was possible. The app they demonstrated was incredibly powerful, seamless and fairly quick. You’d never think it was a web app. And that was just the tip of the iceberg. Google I/O Day 1 showed me the raw and very real innovation going on at Google.

Aside from GWT they wowed us with a working Android prototype, which you can check out here. What really got me was the compass mode, which gives you a live street view that moves based on what compass direction you’re facing. The android talks I attended gave us a quick intro to and the basics of creating an android app. Those talks helped me get my own environment up and running, which I was able to do in no time flat. While I didn’t look that much into it today, I also gained an appreciation for Google Apps Engine and am going to learn Python so I can develop on it. But it wasn’t all work at Google I/O today.

Aside from the numerous breakout sessions and coding labs, Google offered it’s attendees colorful beanbag chairs, pool tables, a candy bar, and fully stocked cooler. From 6-10pm there was also “Google After Hours,” which was a mixer with a DJ and live band, food, open bar, a few Wii consoles with the games projected on giant TVs, and arcade games and pool tables scattered all around the room. In short, Google can throw a party.

What I got out of today’s session was learn Python, and get better at Java. On tomorrow’s agenda is GWT, more Android, and AJAX design patterns. As nerdy as it sounds, I’m pretty excited. I’ll be posting pics and a follow up to this post tomorrow night.