Matt introduces himself and how he got started in technology. Matt explains why he get involved with LaunchCode. He explains what LaunchCode is and some of the challenges that LaunchCode faces. Cecil ponders the statistic of one million programming jobs will be unfilled by 2020. Matt talks about LaunchCode getting a mention by President Obama. Cecil shares a story on the LaunchCode website of an individual that went from stocking groceries to writing software. Matt describes the typical LaunchCode student. Cecil asks about how LaunchCode’s partnership with edX works.

Links

LaunchCode
LaunchCode South Florida CS50X
Tested at ChefSteps: How To Cook Amazing Ribs without Smoke or Fire
Sous-Vide

Bio

Matt_Mawhinney_BioA Sunshine State native, Matt Mawhinney is the Community Manager for LaunchCode South Florida, a non-profit that helps people from non-traditional technology education backgrounds start careers in tech. Matt is also an alumni of Wyncode, Florida’s first accredited web development bootcamp and is actively involved in South Florida’s technology, entrepreneurial, and creative communities. In his spare time, Matt likes to cook, travel, and do improv comedy–if people in the audience promise they will laugh. You can follow him on Twitter @TweetsbyMatt and on Instagram @GramsbyMatt.

The group discusses the perception of Microsoft over the years and how it’s changed recently. The panel discusses their history with jQuery. Rey talks about the pitfalls of using libraries without understanding the underlying language. Richie asks Rey how he became so passionate about developer adv..advoc..advocacy. Rey explains the difference between evangelism and advocacy. Rey talks about how he keeps a high level of professionalism in a world where social media is everywhere. Rey tells a story of how he was booed on stage because he was representing Microsoft. Cecil asks Rey what are the more interesting developer communities that he’s visited. Richie asks how communities can be less argumentative. Rey talks about his love for diving and how he got certified.

Links

jQuery
Mozilla Foundation
Microsoft Edge Browser
Charles Petzold – When Worlds Collide
Underwater Unlimited
Pompano Dive Center

Bio

Rey BangoRey is a lover of the web and an advocate for web standards. At Microsoft, he’s focused on helping developers build awesome cross-browser experiences and being a feedback conduit for the community. He’s privileged to be an original member of the jQuery Project Team.

Todd gives a quick introduction about himself. Todd talks about what he’s learned about starting a product based business. Todd emphasizes the importance of getting customer feedback early and measuring what people do with your software. Todd describes how his product, TrackJS, was created and how it helps your application track errors. The panel discusses the frustration of monitoring systems via e-mail. Todd shares his vision of what TrackJS could look like in the future. Cecil inquires about the TrackJS stack. Todd talks about moving away from Azure and onto physical hardware and the performance boost his application is seeing. Todd doesn’t really like JavaScript!

This episode was recorded on May 7th, 2015

Links

TrackJS
Lean Startup
Wat

Bio

Todd_Gardner_Bio Todd H Gardner is the president and co-founder of TrackJS (trackjs.com), an error monitoring service for modern JavaScript applications. He also consults with companies to help develop their business and their products for the web. With over a decade of experience building software systems, Todd has built large enterprise systems, complex software products, and launched businesses. He is also at the keyboard when he should not be. He can be found on Twitter at @toddhgardner.

Esteban and Richie talk about their new standing desks. Esteban shares about starting his own company, using a co-location facility and hiring staff. Esteban describes the emotions he had while making the decision to leave his job and start his own company. Esteban talks about how he finds balance with starting a startup and having a family. The panel talks about how they can teach their kids about technology. Esteban talks about organizing the Orlando Code Camp and the challenges around hosting a large community conference.

This episode was recorded on April 22, 2015.

Links

StandDesk
Nebbia Technology
Julie Lerman – Entity Framework Guru
ONETUG
Orlando Code Camp

Bio

Esteban GarciaEsteban Garcia is the founder and Chief Technologist at Nebbia Technology, an ALM consulting and Azure-powered technology company. He is a software developer with a passion for ALM, TFS, Azure, and software development best practices. Estaban is a Microsoft Visual Studio ALM MVP and ALM Ranger, Pluralsight author, and am the president of ONETUG (Orlando .NET User Group). Esteban can be found on twitter at @EstebanFGarcia and the web at http://www.almguide.com