In part 2 of our interview series, Heather VanCura, Ed Burns and Ivar Grimstad answered our light-hearted questions about their presentations and the community conference.
Please tell us about your presentation. What can participants look forward to?
Heather VanCura: In my presentation I will discuss the latest innovations and versions of the Java platform. I will review several Java developer efforts that have brought open source development processes and new levels of transparency and participation into their communities. Participants will learn about the latest Java innovations to the Java SE Platform – Java SE 17, 18 and beyond. They will discover how to participate to influence the future of Java technology, and how to take part in the Java developer community as an individual, corporation, or nonprofit such as a Java User Group (JUG).
Ed Burns: I am delighted to have two presentations at JavaLand 2022: a workshop and a session. The workshop is titled, "Modern Jakarta EE and MicroProfile on Azure: Open Liberty, JBoss EAP, and WebLogic" and the session is titled, "Low Cost, Coud Native, Open Standard Java on Azure Kubernetes Service". In both sessions, participants can look forward to learning how to run the most open enterprise Java stack on the most developer friendly cloud.
Ivar Grimstad: I have two talks at JavaLand this year. In "Jakarta EE 10 is Coming Your Way!", I will give an overview of what to expect from the upcoming Jakarta EE 10 release. I will also go through what you have to think of when upgrading from previous releases, as well as show how to leverage Java SE 17 features in Jakarta EE. The other talk I have is a talk where I`m co-speaker with Werner Keil. It is called "Jakarta EE Security – Sailing Safe in Troubled Waters" and is an introduction to security in Jakarta EE. Both what's already there as well as what is coming in Jakarta EE 10.
Josh Long: Hi, my name is Josh Long. I'm a Spring Developer Advocate on the Spring team. I joined the Spring team in 2010. I think people will find my lecture a lot of fun as it'll provide a look at the techniques required to build services that serve various kinds of clients.
What are you most looking forward to at the upcoming JavaLand? What have you missed the most in the past two years where everything has taken place online?
Heather VanCura: I am most looking forward to all of the informal interactions with community members that are possible during JavaLand.
Ed Burns: Oh, my goodness. I have been to every JavaLand since the beginning and had the honor of giving a keynote at the most recent in-person JavaLand in 2019. There is so much that I miss! Walking down the broad thoroughfare after entering the park at the beginning of the week is like entering a dreamland.
Ivar Grimstad: I look forward to meeting people in person. To have informal chats and talk to the community between the talks, during meals, and when enjoying the Phantasialand attractions. Online conferences are a good replacement, and the platform used by JavaLand last year was excellent. However, it can never replace the interaction happening at real physical conferences.
Josh Long: I have not missed flying around the globe, but I have missed being reunited with friends from all over the world.
Where do you live and how long do you have to travel to get to JavaLand?
Heather VanCura: I live in the San Francisco Bay Area of California USA. It takes approximately 12 hours to make it to JavaLand!
Ed Burns: I live in Orlando, Florida USA, home of Disney World. When I come to PhantasiaLand, I feel right at home. Thankfully, there is a non-stop Lufthansa flight from Orlando to Frankfurt, so it is very easy to get to JavaLand.
Ivar Grimstad: I live in Malmö in southern Sweden, so I have a pretty short travel to get to JavaLand. My usual route is to fly from Copenhagen to Düsseldorf and then take the train from there to Brühl. It is very convenient, especially with the shuttle to and from the Brühl train station.
Josh Long: I live in San Francisco, California, in the USA, and honestly the journey to Javaland will be my second trip since February of 2020. I am nervous, but hopeful, that the trip will go safely and quickly, even though I know it's going to be around 12h of journey with a mask on fearful of every nearby cough.
What is your favorite meal or snack at JavaLand?
Heather VanCura: I enjoy the speaker dinner in advance of the conference.
Ed Burns: I am very fond of the desserts in the small glasses.
Ivar Grimstad: My favorite meal at JavaLand has always been schnitzel at the Under den Linden restaurant for lunch. But I also have to mention the buffet served at the speaker's dinner at Matamba on the first night with exotic stuff like crocodile and zebra being served. And of course, the desserts!
Josh Long: It's been so long. I can't wait to try out everything! I've missed Germany and JavaLand in particular!
Where will you mainly be found at JavaLand 2022? What is part of your schedule?
Heather VanCura: You can find me in the exposition and informal hang out areas of JavaLand.
Ed Burns: I haven't yet done my conference picks blog post, but you will be able to find it at my blog: www.ridingthecrest.com/blog/ . During the party, you might be able to find me sitting in with the band.
Ivar Grimstad: I can be found all over the place at JavaLand. Hanging out in the Community Area is something I usually do a lot. I also make sure to check out all the exhibitors and attend the talks.
Josh Long: Well, I'll be looking to reunite with old friends, surely, and I'll be looking to soak up the latest-and-greatest in the ecosystem.
How often have you visited JavaLand before? Do you have a JavaLand anecdote or favorite moment from previous years?
Heather VanCura: I have visited JavaLand three times, I think. I always enjoy the opportunity to have some fun at the amusement park – it is a unique feature of JavaLand.
Ed Burns: My favorite moment, by far, was the PowerPoint Karaoke from JavaLand 2019.
Ivar Grimstad: I have been to every JavaLand since it started in 2014, so you can consider me a regular. One of my favorite activities at JavaLand is the JavaLand Jogging on Wednesday morning. It is a perfect way to start the day with a run around the small lake with the other early risers. And you get a cool shirt to prove that you've been there!
Josh Long: I think I've sadly only spoken at JavaLand like two times before. I'm not really sure. But I've always enjoyed it. I hope to finally get to explore. Most of the time, when I used to visit a city (before the virus), I'd parachute in, do a talk, and then move on the next city or country. This time I hope to explore the place a bit more! If I'm going to make such a journey, I really want to take advantage of my circumstances and make new friends and memories.
