And Java 6 arrives with a bit of controversy.
Ted rants about the lack of a 32 bit version in Why, Apple, Why?
In a nutshell, if your Mac has a Core Duo CPU, you're running 32 bit. You must have a Core Duo 2. (see this Wikipedia entry). Oh, you must have Leopard (10.5.2) as well.
Here's a great post that shows you how to make 1.6 your default Java. The Apple installer doesn't do that... apparently they don't trust the version enough to be the default Java on your box. Not inspiring confidence with that decision...
Man, I really love Ruby.
I'll be giving my keynote talk Career 2.0: Take Control of Your Life at the local Java User's group next month. I gave this as a keynote in Chicago a few weeks ago and it was very well received. Brian Goetz summed it up as "actively manage your career". Pretty close. More than just an admonition to do that, it's also the steps you need to get started.
Triangle Java User's Group
Here's the talk description:
Has your career been a random product of your manager's whims or company's needs? Never rely on your company to keep your skills current and marketable. Take control of your own career with a proven strategy.
These are solid, repeatable steps to get your career in the trajectory you want. The first step is deciding where you want to go. We'll walk through creating a long-term plan, then break it down into manageable steps. Learn to lead within your own company, then stretch out to your local, regional and national community, building your reputation as you go. From coding to writing to speaking, each step will move you closer to where you want to be: in a position of having options and in control of your career.
ll be on the road and miss this one again (sigh), but if you're in the RTP area, you should make sure you catch Bar Camp!
BarCamp RDU
It's a great way to learn and network. You'll meet some amazing people.
If you don't have one locally, start one!
I've had a Twitter account for a while now, but never done anything with it... however I just added my iPhone as a data entry device. I'll try to start keeping it up to date now that I can do updates in an airport or taxi.
If you're into such things, here's my link
http://twitter.com/jaredrichardson
I was recently on a panel discussion that was asked why should a developer should bother to learn Groovy. They cited Dice.com job results. Much like this blog entry.
Trendy Bastards, Aren't We?
My response to the question "Why should I learn any new technology" is this... do you want to wait to be one of the cogs in the machine? Just another developer among hundreds with a buzzword compliant resume? Or do you want to be the person who learned the new tech, like Groovy and Grails, ahead of the curve, and was then in huge demand while the rest of the industry plays catch up? Do you want to be the person who knows the new, cutting-edge tools and introduces them at work? Or do you want to work with what someone else chooses?
Don't get me wrong... I love Ruby and Rails. I've done very little with Groovy and Grails. But if you limit your learning to existing projects, that means you're limiting your role within your company, and limiting your career, to following the crowd. It's hard to catch a wave after it's crested.
Will every technology you learn be a home run? No. It's like buying stocks. Some will be a home run, some will be a solid return... others will be a learning experience where it's a complete loss.
But over time, if you invest regularly in your knowledge portfolio (or your retirement account), you'll always end up with a decent return and be very comfortable.
