More JavaOne Thoughts

Day One of JavaOne, Java University, is over. I have a few final thoughts. First, I really enjoyed the course I took "Using Java EE 5 and SOA to Architect and Design Robust Enterprise Applications". The instructor, Joe Boulenouar, was very good. You can tell he really enjoys what he does and is very knowledgeable. The class didn't seem as sexy as some of the other ones being offered on things like the Java Persistence API or jMaki, but it was packed with information. Joe did a good job of explaining what are some of the tough things that architects have to think about when designing a system, and then going through a collection of design patterns where each tied back into the architect's checklist. Of course he then also mentioned how various JavaEE 5 technologies can be used to implement these design patterns. If you get a chance to hear Joe speak on something, I highly recommend it.

My only complaint about JavaOne is the lack of AC power outlets. There were a few outlets near the bathrooms or in random places in the halls. It is silly to see developers huddled around these places so they can charge up their laptops. There were a lot of great lounge areas, so how hard would it have been to put some power strips out there? Are they worried about too many people plugging and eating up electricity? Is there a safety issue? Alternatively they could expose power outlets in the lecture rooms so people can plugin and charge while listening to a speaker.

JavaOne This Week

Tomorrow I will be at JavaOne. Tuesday is the official start of JavaOne, but tomorrow is Java University. I'm going to it and to JavaOne on Wednesday. It should be a lot of fun.
I'm taking Caltrain to San Francisco. Actually I'm taking the VTA Light Rail and then taking Caltrain. The VTA is within walking distance of my house. Still, it's going to be between 75-90 minutes each way, depending on if I take a baby bullet.
I went to Borders today with the intent of buying a book to read on the train this week. Actually I had a book in mind: Moneyball. Then I remembered why I always buy books online. It is such a pain to find a book at a bookstore. I searched all through the "Baseball" section at Borders and had no luck. I searched the general sports section for good measure, but no luck. I probably should have used one of the lookup computers, but at that point I was annoyed and just left. Maybe I'll buy the book on iTunes.
I thought about using my laptop on the train, but that will drain a lot of my battery power, and I don't know how likely I am to find AC juice at JavaOne. Oh well, I guess I can just listen to Year Zero and Neon Bible.