As my blog has now moved, I thought I would share the link:

http://cmelissinos.blogspot.com

Also, I will be placing an RSS feed back here for those who link to this blogs.sun.com URL

NOTE: Until an acceptable RSS feed can be provided, I am just going to post the site in an iFrame. For now

Well, it has been a while coming, but I have finally started to put together the wrap-up from the 2009 JavaOne conference.

This year I was fortunate enough to be the host of the show. Many people asked me if it was weird replacing John Gage. To make this perfectly clear, there is NO possible way to "replace" John Gage. John is a force of gravity in the world that is his alone. I just tried to add my own personality into the mix and helped to move the conference along. It was a great honor to have hosted this year.

It is amazing the amount of effort that goes into producing s show of this size. The amount of coordination, review and materials that need to be prepared is staggering. Overall, I believe this year's JavaOne was a resounding success. Consider what we saw at the show: Sony Ericsson, Oracle, Microsoft, eBay, Intel and Verizon all taking a position and expanded role in the Java universe, 300+ sessions, over 70 countries represented, 7000+ attendees, students, CommunityOne, etc. HUGE.

The momentum around the Java universe and connected technologies continues to expand, permeate and allow for innovation to occur. I find it interesting to use the term "universe" when discussing Java as a platform and the reach it has achieved.

*** Segue ***

I am a big fan of the the show "The Big Bang Theory".

One of the coolest things about the show, aside from being hilarious with an amazing cast, is that the science and mathematics used in the show is accurate. Basically, the show introduces physics concepts and theories to the general public in an accessible format. (Stay with me here, there is a point!)

After watching the show for some time I went back and started re-reading some physics and string theory books that I have in my collection. "Parallel Worlds" by Professor Miko Kaku is one of my favorites. He has a very entertaining way about his writing that makes some very heavy concepts palatable for a wide audience. One section of this book was dealing with dark matter; which is the most pervasive yet invisible forms of matter in the universe that, without it, would cause cosmic systems to collapse.

After thinking about it, I realized that Java truly is the "dark matter" of the internet. It is present in more devices than any other language, used my more web services than any of you know, and is invisible to the user even when they are using it. It's commanding presence in the fabric of connected, information technology and platforms is absolute and these same systems would collapse, across the world, if it's presence was removed.

This is not posturing or an overstatement. It is, quite simply, fact.

The pervasiveness of Java was evident in the talks that ranged from Java and Wii controllers, Nintendo DS and PSP, to high school robotics, to navigation systems, medical equipment, mobility, televisions, VR control systems and scalable cloud infrastructures. Java is increasingly interwoven in the digital fabric that we depend on today and in the future.

And much of this innovation has been driven my the enormous and passionate global Java community. I applaud you and thank you for your fiery inspiration, commitment to something bigger than ourselves and to working to make the technology and it's community a tremendous success.

The future for Java technologies has never been brighter. The development of JavaFX, the stated infusion of resources into continuing it's growth and momentum, the affirmation of the technology from the biggest technology companies in the world; there has never been a better time to be a Java programmer than right here, right now.

Now, some media!

Setting up the JavaOne Expo floor

Backstage wizardry!

The world famous Anthony Rogers!

Me and James before the Toy Show.

Opening thoughts for Microsoft Keynote.

Opening to the Toy Show and Darkchat overview.

Another PIE Guy video....hmmmm.......

Gosling and Java. (AWESOME!)

JavaOne Insider - Episode 1

JavaOne Insider - Episode 2

JavaOne Insider - Episode 3

And now....the "Dude, Where's My Pass?" videos where I embarrass myself for the cause of the contest!

Again, it was a fantastic privilege to be the host of this year's conference. I had a ton of fun, enjoyed meeting tons of conference attendees just walking around, and I look forward to seeing you at next year's JavaOne!