2009 November

360Flex – The Speakers Series – Garth Braithwaite

November 30, 2009 By John

Garth and I were hanging out at Round Table Pizza the other day. Garth is a recent Round Table convert after my introduction to the two of them during 360|MAX 2008 (Garth’s first experience with the madness that is 360|Conferences.)

I’m a purist, double pepperoni and garlic twists, Garth is new age RoundTable, and ordered the Montague’s All Meat Marvel.

Me: (between bites of the most delicious pizza ever made) So Garth, What do you think people who attend your session will be most surprised by/about?

Garth: (putting down his meat laden slice) Attending my session will not magically make their apps non poo-ish.

Me: But it will help them see the poo before it sets in and correct, right?

Garth nods, taking a bite of a garlic twist.

Me: What session are you most excited about, besides your own of course, which I hope you’re ridiculously excited about, even now months before you have to deliver it.

Garth: Kevin Hoyt’s on Phidgets and Jesse Warden’s on RobotLegs with Gaia which are both at the same time as my session. Dang.

Me: Well if all goes as I’m hoping we’ll have some awesome video of every session available for attendees, so you won’t miss them completely. Sorry You have to go up against them.

Garth: It’s ok, 360|Flex would be really long if every session was it’s own time slot, Not sure you’d be able to keep people’s attention after the 2nd week of presentations. LOL.

Me: Me either, unless we handed out ADD meds at the door after day 5. Pretty sure that’s not legal. What are you most looking forward to at 360|Flex San Jose?

Garth: The koi pond. Leif Wells has mentioned it a few times. I expect it is epic.

Me: Oh you have no idea. I’m almost certain each Koi is the reincarnated spirit of ancient samurai, the way they fight each other over whatever gets dropped into the water. Which at 360|Flex, tends to be anything from hamburger buns, to hot links, and cookies. The Koi pond is pretty darn awesome!

I motioned for a box to put the remaining pizza in, “What would you tell someone that was on the fence about attending 360|Flex, to convince them to come?”

Garth: (putting the few remaining pieces of Montague’s All Meat Marvel into the box, each piece weighing at least 1/3 pound.) “If you’re on the fence you probably shouldn’t come. 360|Flex is too good to be wasted on fence sitters.”

Me: Completely agree. 360|Flex is the first, not to mention the best Flex conference in the world. There should be no doubt in your mind when you register, that you’re getting about 1000x your money’s worth.

Oh yeah, quick question, this has been bugging me for a while, it’ll settle a bet between me and my online friend in Japan. “Who would win in a fight, Lion Voltron or Vehicle Voltron?”

Garth: Lion Voltron hands down. The Lions have teeth while Dairugger’s head comes to a point. Nuff said.

Me: Booya! I agree! My friend is a Vehicle Voltron fanboy, not sure why, but I’m glad I’ve got one more voice of reason in my corner.

We get up to leave the RoundTable, stuffed full of the best pizza on the planet. Garth heads to his place, I head to the hotel to fall into a food coma and watch Family Guy.

Haven’t registered yet? Want to make sure to experience Round Table pizza (there’s one only a few miles from Ebay Town Hall) with Garth and I? Don’t miss out on the biggest Flex event of the year! Register Now!

Filed Under: 360flex, Community, San Jose, Schedule, The Speakers Tagged With: 360flex, Community, Countdown, Reasons to Come, speakers

360Flex – The Hotel and group rate!

November 25, 2009 By John

For those that have been to a 360|Flex in San Jose, you know that there’s not much near eBay Town Hall. It’s an awesome space, but surrounded by other office parks.

Normally everyone has to stay at one of the two hotels nearby then walk, light rail or drive over.

Screen shot 2009-11-24 at 4.37.34 PM This time we’re trying something different. We’re going to be staying downtown (near bars that stay open past 8!), at the Downtown San Jose Marriott

There’s an awesome bar on site, and a great restaurant, and it’s right on the VTA line so you can come and go to the conference.

But wait I’m not done :)

The Marriott has agreed to provide a shuttle loop in the morning and evening for an hour each time to shuttle everyone back and forth Monday – Wednesday. Just be outside ready to go during that hour, and you’ll be on your way to eBay Town Hall.

Also, every attendee staying at the Marriott will get free internet in their guest room. Just in case you have to work when you’re not partying with us :)

We think this will make the hours between sunset and sunrise much more interesting for everyone. Party with us at eBay then when that’s done, we can party all over downtown San Jose!

The room rate is an awesome $99/night

Book your room now! The room block isn’t huge. If you stay somewhere else, you’re on your own to get back and forth to eBay.

You can call 800.228.9290 to book your room!

While you’re at it, you should make sure to register, 360|Flex San Jose sells out, don’t miss it! Register now!

Filed Under: 360flex, Announcements, Hotel, San Jose Tagged With: 360flex, Business, Convince the Family, Countdown, Party, Reasons to Come

360Flex – the Speakers Series – Jesse Warden

November 25, 2009 By John

I first saw Jesse Warden present at 360|Flex San Jose 2007 (Yeah the first one ever.) I was outside at the reg area and someone said how funny and awesome Jesse was so I poked my head inside his break out room.

OMG

Imagine one of those christian televangelists, now make him shorter, give him longer hair, and replace the bible with a laptop. Oh and replace the “Hallelujahs” with “Bams”.

Jesse is a dynamic speaker to say the least :)

He’s back at 360|Flex San Jose 2010, talking about. “RobotLegs on Top of Gaia Flash Framework”

We created a short set of interview questions to get an idea what our speakers thought of 360|Flex, what they’re looking forward to, etc Jesse is our first respondent.

We sat down on the set of the soon to be over Oprah show, it seemed fitting.

Me: Hey man, glad you’re gonna be back with us in San Jose. I know we almost had you speaking in Atlanta, but then you almost died and stuff. Glad you’re feeling ok. You are feeling ok right?

Jesse: Heck ya sucka! I’m good to go!

Me: So what do you think folks will come out of your session most surprised about? You are gonna wow them right?

Jesse: You know it! I think they’re gonna be most surprised by how relevant Flash still is. There’s a lot you can do still.

Me: True dat homie (We fist bump). So what session are you most excited about seeing. I mean besides yours of course, ha.

Jesse: Hands down, David Hassoun’s “Going deep w/OSMF” that’s gonna be kick ass!

Me: So you attended the first ever 360|Flex (I get a little teary, but don’t let Jesse know, I pretend a nat has flown into my eye), and now you’re coming back again. What makes you want to be a part of 360|Flex, what would tell someone if they asked why they should attend?

Jesse: (The same nats must have attacked Jesse) Cheap, great crowd, and low key.

Me: That’s awesome dude, that’s totally what 360|Flex is about

Jesse: Meeting new people & people I’ve known for years online, but never met in person, and finally learning new things.

Me: (nodding) It’s awesome creating something where people can meet in person after years of talking on IM, collaborating on projects online etc.

Since I’ve been watching old episodes of Voltron on Netflix, I ask Jesse who he thinks would win in a fight Lion Voltron or Vehicle Voltron.

Jesse: neither, Deadpool teleported Venom symbiotes into the fray, and now things are in chaos.

I’m not sure what’s more awes inspiring, Jesse’s comic nerd cred, or the mental image of two Voltrons (or is the plural of Voltron, still Voltron?) in black with Venom faces stomping planets to dust.

We had to cut the interview short when Oprah and her small army of security personnel got the doors to the studio opened. I told Jesse the broomstick thru the handles trick wouldn’t last long.

Don’t miss out on Jesse and the other 40 some odd, great speakers at 360|Flex San Jose 2010. Missing it would be well, sad. Register now! Ensure you have a seat at the best Flex Conference in the world.