OTUG News and Events

Actors Make Better Observers Slides Available

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:08:43 -0500

Dale Schumacher's slides are finely available online! Find the OpenOffice slides for Actors Make Better Observers at: http://www.otug.org/meetings/slides/ActorIntroduction20080630.odp

Actors Make Better Observers by Dale Schumacher

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 13:08:43 -0500

Please join us for the next OTUG meeting on the 4th Thursday of June, the 26th.

Dale Schumacher will be presenting Actors Make Better Observers

Abstract - We will discuss how the Actor model of computation is actually more faithful to Alan Kay's original Object concept than our current object-oriented languages. The Observer pattern will serve as a case study to illustrate how the implementation of the object abstraction leaks through to noticeable, and disastrous, effect in languages like Smalltalk and Java. A pure implementation of the Actor model is shown to address the deficiency, faithfully implement Objects as originally conceived, and provide the basis for implementing safe massively-parallel high-performance open systems.

About Dale - Dale Schumacher has done successful development, architecture, and consulting in the object-oriented and agile spaces for many years. He was a frequent and active member of OTUG and the C4DSD SIG before moving to Austin, Texas in 2006 to serve as an Agile Evangelist at Borland software. He holds that position now, and will be speaking to us as an out-of-state guest for the first time

All the details (and maps) can be found at www.otug.org.

OTUG thanks the following sponsors for their generosity in making this happen: Stelligent.

Ted Neward's Scala slides available

Wed, 11 Jun 2008 13:02:43 -0500

Ted Neward's Scala slides are available on the OTUG website:

Correction: Scala talk is May 20th, not May 15th

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:02:43 -0500

Sorry for the confusion, but Ted's talk is on the 20th of May, not the 15th.

The Busy Developer's Guide to Scala by Ted Neward

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 08:02:43 -0500

Join us on May 20th, 2008 at 5 PM on the University of St. Thomas campus for our next speaker!

Abstract - The Java platform has historically been the province of object-oriented programming, but even Java language stalwarts are starting to pay attention to the latest old-is-new trend in application development: functional programming. In this lecture, Ted Neward introduces Scala, a programming language that combines functional and object-oriented techniques for the JVM. Along the way, Ted makes the case for why you should take the time to learn Scala — concurrency, for one — and shows you how quickly it will pay off.

All the details (and maps) can be found at www.otug.org.

OTUG thanks the following sponsors for their generosity in making this happen: Stelligent, Smokejumper Consulting, SGF, Refactr, Pearson VUE, and Localtone Interactive.

Tom Evans - Business Agility Principles and Architecture: Lessons from the Punch Card era

Sat, 22 Mar 2008 18:42:43 -0500

Join us on April 15th, 2008 at 5 PM on the University of St. Thomas campus for our next speaker!

Abstract - Large businesses have a reputation for having hard-to-change systems. They can take from 90 to 180 days to implement the changes needed for some new product, process, channel, or regulatory change, and the unsung hero's, the DBA's, are singled out for their role on the critical path. On the other hand, Start-up companies have faster time-to-market speed, even with (or because of) limited resources and little systems investment.

The idea that the Business is always responsible for the work is a guiding principle for the architecture of enterprise systems. The Business Agility Pattern Language is a set of architecture patterns, taken from the Punch Card era, that implement that principle, scale-up from manual work to high volume web driven operations, and deliver business-in-charge support for continuous change.

Tom Evans provides business and enterprise architecture consulting, after beginning his career as a medical systems software engineer and then becoming an early adopter of object technology. Tom digs into large systems issues and help businesses gain clarity about their needs and then guides business and technology teams toward a common view and practical solutions. A theme for Tom's work is the creation of flexible systems, including solutions for Deluxe Check, Qwest, Freddie Mac, and Wells Fargo. Tom founded the Object Technology User Group and earned his Masters in Software Engineering at the University of St. Thomas.

All the details (and maps) can be found at www.otug.org.

Esther Derby - Why Middle Management Matters: Managers' Role in Agile Adoption

Sun, 30 Dev 2007 18:42:43 -0500

A room has been booked for Esther Derby's talk on January 15th. The room is McNeely Hall, which is on the South East side of Summit and Finn (Note! This is not the usual location). All the details (and maps) can be found at www.otug.org.

Esther Derby - Slides Posted

Sun, 27 Jan 2008 13:42:43 -0500

Slides have been posted from Esther Derby's talk on January 15th. Pdf file can be found at www.otug.org/meetings/2008/MgrsRoleInAgileChange.pdf.

Esther Derby - Why Middle Management Matters: Managers' Role in Agile Adoption

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 12:02:43 -0500

The next OTUG meeting is scheduled for January 15th. Esther Derby will be presenting a talk titled, Why Middle Management Matters: Manager's Role in Agile Adoption. All the details haven't been finalized yet, so check back at www.otug.org as more details emerge.

Panel Discussion on Dynamic and Static Type Systems in Programming Languages

Tue, 6 Nov 2007 16:02:43 -0500

A time and room have been booked for the OTUG programming languages panel. 5 PM is the start in room 230 (same as last time), on November 15th. There is also a wiki/brainstorm of possible topics, so feel free to edit to your heart's content! See you there.

Panel Discussion on Dynamic and Static Type Systems in Programming Languages

Tue, 16 Oct 2007 085:02:43 -0500

The language renaissance is here, and programmers have more choice than even in how we develop software. Why are so many developers jumping ship from Java and .NET for greener pastures of Ruby and other languages? What do these dynamic languages offer that the others don't? What are we giving up if we make the switch? And didn't Lisp and SmallTalk have all this decades ago?

Join us November 15th for an open panel discussion about the true costs and benefits of using dynamically typed languages, as we move the debate away from complaints like "the tools aren't good enough" and towards higher ideas of what can and can't be expressed in a language.

Agile 2007 Retrospective

Wed, 3 Oct 2007 15:02:43 -0500

Don't forget the Agile 2007 Retrospective on Thursday October 11th.

A number of OTUG members attended--some even presented--and several of them will be on hand to speak to what they saw and heard, as well as to answer audience questions about the state of agile from the conference vantage point.

The meeting is at 4:30 in Room 230. This gives you time to still make MinneDemo. And there is a book giveaway!

No Event Sept. 18, Informal Event Sept. 19

Tue, 18 Sep 2007 12:02:43 -0500

Don't forget that we'll have an informal OTUG gathering/planning meeting tomorrow evening (September 19), and an event at UST next month (October 11).

Also, please note that both of these events buck the tradition of meeting on the third Tuesday of the month. Discussion of whether this is a good change are always welcome. :-)

-Markus

Informal Happy Hour September 19th

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 14:45:42 -0500

Informal Happy Hour

Date: September 19, 2007

Time: 6:30 - 8:30

Location: Riverview Cafe and Wine Bar

3755 42nd Avenue S.

Minneapolis, MN

In lieu of a "normal" OTUG lecture event, we will simply have a get-together to reconnect and catch up with OTUG colleagues. For those with interest in the direction of the organization this will also serve as a planning meeting, though a fairly loose one. Cafe drinks and food will be available, as well as beer and wine. Pirate garb is not required, though I would be remiss if I didn't at least mention it.

Agile 2007 Retrospective October 11th

Tue, 11 Sep 2007 14:45:42 -0500

Agile 2007 Retrospective

Date: October 11, 2007

Time: 4:30 - 6:30

Location: 3M Auditorium at Owens Science Hall

A fishbowl discussion will feature several OTUG members who attended the Agile2007 conference in Washington DC last month. More details of this event will come out shortly.