* You are viewing the archive for August, 2010

Calling All Python Coders

Kevin Makice August 31, 2010 General, Teams 1 Comment

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Team Python Added to Dev Derby 2010

After some local inquiries about why Python wasn’t included, we have added a new team for those who want to participate using that language for application development. A Team Lead has been selected, and the application remains open.

Update on Dev Derby Teams

The invitations to developers began being mailed out on Monday. If you have not yet received confirmation, one way or the other, please contact info -at- devderby.com to prompt us to inquire with the appropriate Team Leads. Some of the languages are being wait-listed as new applications come in, but others—Ruby, Python, and Java—still have openings.

It isn’t too late to join us. Apply now!

Meet Lawrence McAlpin

Kevin Makice August 31, 2010 Teams 2 Comments

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This is the second in a multi-part series, “Better Know Your Team Lead.” Next up is Lawrence McAlpin, who will be leading the Java team in Dev Derby 2010. Taking a page from Marcel Proust, James Lipton, and now SociaLens, we’re asking the same series of thought-provoking questions to everyone we profile.

Lawrence McAlpin, Java Team Lead

Lawrence McAlpin, Java Team Lead

Lawrence McAlpin has over fifteen years of experience with information technology. He holds a Master’s degree in Computer Science and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. He refined his technical expertise working for some of the world’s most demanding clients: leading Fortune 50 companies. Currently, he makes a living as a software architect, enterprise Java developer, and project manager for a major Wall Street firm. He also spends his spare time as a technical advisor for a wine industry startup, when he isn’t too busy chasing his happily screaming toddler around the yard with a hose.
WHAT MADE YOUR FAVORITE WORD YOUR FAVORITE WORD?
Pamplemousse. It’s the funniest word in any language. This makes pamplemeese hard to eat because most people can’t help but laugh out loud when hearing their name. This is widely considered to be one of the more peculiar biological defense mechanisms that any fruit has ever evolved.
WHICH FAULT DO YOU TOLERATE MOST?
Laziness. As long as you get off your ass long enough to do it once, and do it right.
HOW DOES YOUR HERO OR HEROINE INSPIRE YOU?
Mark Twain was far more than a humorist, he was one of the greatest philosophers the world has ever produced. His love of progress and technology, his satirical wit, and his uncanny ability to condense complex issues into the simplest of phrases are traits that I strongly admire and aspire to emulate.
WHAT IS YOUR IDEA OF HAPPINESS?
Afternoons: my toddler, smiling. At night: my toddler, sleeping. On weekends, in the morning: my toddler, sleeping in.
WHEN TWITTER TAKES OVER GRAVEYARDS, WHAT WILL YOUR TOMBSTONE READ?
Judging by past performance, it will probably show a failwhale and the somber text “Sorry, we are over capacity, try again later.”

Meet Chance Garcia

Kevin Makice August 30, 2010 Teams 1 Comment

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This is the first in a multi-part series, “Better Know Your Team Lead.” First up is Chance Garcia, who will be leading the PHP team in Dev Derby 2010. Taking a page from Marcel Proust, James Lipton, and now SociaLens, we’re asking the same series of thought-provoking questions to everyone we profile.

Chance Garcia, PHP Team Lead

Chance Garcia, PHP Team Lead

The origins of Chance Garcia are shrouded in myth and mystery, but what we do know is that he wrote his first BASIC lines at the age of 5. It wasn’t until later that programming became a part of his life. Over the years, he has put skill points into Pascal, Java, C, C++, Scheme, Python, PHP, SQL and recently Objective C. During the last 5 years, his skill in PHP was leveled under the mentorship of Guyer, Trotzke, and Zon while working at Resite. Through his current job at Smithville, he gained the power of Self-Improvement, and with the help of PHP and social networks, he unlocked the TDD, MVC, and project managements traits. Today he continues to grind out his programming skills so that he can one day hit the fabled level cap. The Deb Derby trial is one of many that await our hero.
WHAT MADE YOUR FAVORITE WORD YOUR FAVORITE WORD?
I don’t know if I have a favorite word. I like words in general since I love reading and learning.
WHICH FAULT DO YOU TOLERATE MOST?
The inability or refusal to adapt. I usually associate this with unwillingness to learn. For me, there is no such thing as expertise and mastery. We are constantly learning and therefore can become better. I see life as striving to be better than you were before. We are all capable of doing great things, and if we want to achieve greatness, we need to stop asking for permission, stop making excuses, and stop clinging to the concept of tradition.
HOW DOES YOUR HERO OR HEROINE INSPIRE YOU?
My hero inspires me by showing me that anything is possible. He shows me that we all have within us the capability to be a force for good or evil in the world and that our choices define us as much as our nature.
WHAT IS YOUR IDEA OF HAPPINESS?
Happiness is my cats and the ability to live without regret, worry, or doubt to move on to the next great adventure.
WHEN TWITTER TAKES OVER GRAVEYARDS, WHAT WILL YOUR TOMBSTONE READ?
hm, i thought this place would be a lot warmer.
(\_/)
=^.^=
(“)_(“)
kthxbai!
(Photo courtesy Rob Allen)