For the first time ever, we are excited to feature a new aspect of JavaOne within the pavilion.  Its called Java Utopia.  Its the most welcoming, creative, interactive, nontraditional lounge you will ever enter – all designed so you can experience and learn about the best Java technologies.  

• Create, Play, Learn and Share with the best and brightest of Java!
• Grab your laptop and hack code in one of the Java Utopia technology lounges.  
• Participate in games, competitions and even test your skills – You can win prizes!
• Engage in discussions and join a Java technology lightning talk
  

You never know who you might meet..or who just may be hanging out in Java Utopia
We hope to see you there @JavaOne!

I tell you where it is...you can win it right here!  Listen to our own Chris M tell you all about this very cool contest.


And go to http://java.sun.com/javaone/2009/contest to submit a video as to why you should win a free trip to JavaOne!!!!!

It's on!  The JavaFX Coding Challenge is here. There is no limit to your creativity. If you're a developer in the professional or student communities, we have an opportunity for you to win up to $25,000 in the JavaFX Coding challenge.  Download JavaFX 1.1 and use your talents to design a winning application with JavaFX.  Submit your application before the deadline and you could be selected as one of the top winners.  

Cash prizes of $5,000, $10,000 and our top rize of $25,000 will be awarded to professional developers or students. Three additional $1500 cash prizes will be awarded to the top applications submitted by students.  One prize per entry, please and  all top entries will be showcased on JavaFX.com as examples of great new applications.

For more visit: www.JavaFX.com/challenge

Take the challenge now!

Oh yeah...it is that time of year again!  And it is very rare when I get to say that I live in the “place to be” starting this Friday. SXSW has grown into a massive, creative gathering that not only reflects, discusses and showcases trends in culture, media and technology but also often creates them.  This is when people come celebrate the creativity and passion behind the coolest new media technologies...and JavaFX is going to be “expressive”

We have some very cool things planned!

First of all – follow us on Twitter to hear the latest and greatest happenings from the hottest panels and forums

Visit the JavaFX App Lounge on the tradeshow floorwhere you can see JavaFX in action on both PCs & mobile devices!
Mingle with the brains behind JavaFX during the SXSW Booth/Pub Crawl, Sunday, March 15, 2009 4pm-6pm

Check out our panel:
We Like Big Apps: Developing for All the Screens of Your Life, Saturday March 14, 2009, 5pm-6pm, Room 10
They will discuss the platforms, tools, tips and tricks that offer distinct advantages for web designers and developers who are seeking to stand out from the crowd.

• Eric Klein, VP of Java marketing at Sun moderates this session featuring:
• Peyton Lindley, executive director of UX design and technology, EffectiveUI;
• Bill Maggs, head of developer and partner engagement, Sony Ericsson; 
• Nizar Alibhoy, CEO, Telepop

And because it wouldn't be SXSW without parties - don't  miss the first ever Fusion Interactive and Film party - sponsored by JavaFX and Whrrl - Monday, March 16, 2009 8pm-10pm @ Red Eye Fly where some of the hottest web 2.0 compnaies and coolest designers will walk a mini-red carpet.

See U there!

 

Heading to Barcelona for Mobile World Congress to make sure the world knows about JavaFX!  (if I can ever get there)

Check it out!  Sun launched the most complete open Web application platform: built on the Web, for the Web.  Bringing together the price/performance-leading open-source GlassFish Enterprise Server, the record-setting Sun Web Server, Sun Proxy Server and a complete enterprise message platform as well as several new products:

• New Sun GlassFish ESB
• New Sun GlassFish Web Stack 
• New Sun GlassFish Web Space Server
• Additional Sun GlassFish Portfolio Add-On: New  Sun GlassFish Communications Server
  

But don't let me tell you about it – learn more here

And for those of you who are not used to my tecnical blogs, Its kinda like this.  The GlassFish Portfolio is like giving you a Marc Jacobs jacket for free...and if you want the belt, we will give it to you at Target prices.  It does not get any better that that.

We are moving at the speed of Life...the new found speed in which we cram more stuff into a single day and drop in our beds exhausted at night.  Where everything seems to be measured in terms of tasks started and tasks completed.  This week I am very excited, we have two major launches in our software portfolio ( you will be hearing about them soon!) And believe me, dashboards are my middle name.  Long documented lists with tremendous detail – transparent to the working world – illuminating your every move.  Are you red, yellow or green?

We are all green!

When I was in preschool, I made 5 pictures when everyone else painted one.  When I was a kid, I rearranged my room every 6 months.  I downloaded the background app for my iPhone so I can look at a new graphic every day.  I change my hair cut and color every time I go to the stylist.  See the pattern?  I like to change things up.  So I am really excited to unveil my new blog look for 2009!  I know its a skin, but for me...its a look.  A fresh color, a new hairdo and the addition of two fury friends that keep me sane in an insane world of software, fashion and friends.  And while we can always change the outside, the inside remains the same.

P.S.  Thank you Gwen!  You bring color to so many lives. 

It's a new day and a new dawn...and a whole new podcast series.  Wanna learn more about Java?  This provocative, interesting and funny series features the latest in Java “style" and upcoming "fall collection."

You probably heard by now, but Sun announced the availability of Sun xVM Server and xVM Ops Center 2.0 software, key components of a comprehensive virtualization strategy.  Its all part of our bigger portfolio that includes VirtualBox and VDI.  Check it out and learn more!

Hey – have some fun with your friends during the Olympics?   Download the Facebook game called "myPicks Beijing 2008"  The game that allows people to predict winners at the Olympics!

Signs in and identify your country.  If your predictions are accurate, you win points.  All points you accumulate are also credited back to your country.  See how your friends are doing. See how your fellow countrymen are doing.

But even better, this game was created by Pramiti on Zembly - the worlds first and easiest Facebook
development environment. Zembly is built from the ground up on Sun's industry-leading stack of enterprise hardware and software, including Solaris, Java, Glassfish, and MySQL, and running on Network.com's next-generation cloud-computing platform.  How's that for a plug for some of the greatest open source software on the planet.

Come on...join the fun!  

You saw those jaw dropping demos at JavaOne and now it is here.  Download the JavaFX Preview SDK and be the cool kid on the block with the latest and hippest.  Start writing apps today!  And be sure to send us feedback on what you like (and don't like)

Check out the new hip, sleek look of the Sun Developer Network Channel.  We've made it even easier for you to get to the great technical content, communities and people that foster innovation.

Enjoy!

This week Sun Microsystems named a new vice president of Marketing for the Services Business – Amy O'Connor.  Amy has had an illustrious career at Sun in Engineering and Marketing – most recently hailing from the Software Marketing Leadership Team where she ran business planning & strategy (no small task at Sun).  I am really lucky to have crossed paths with Amy in my career.  Her knowledge, technical prowess, business acumen and sense of humor are unlike many – absolutely no arrogance or eccentricity in this leader!  We are all excited about Amy's leadership and passion and know this is a great day for Sun.  

Along the way, I got to know Amy as a person and while we did not always agree on her choice of sock colors, she did teach me a few things about fashion; and a lot about being a leader.  We will miss her in software-land more than she will ever know, but the great thing is she is not going very far.

Although in this case, it is!

Check out the coolest game from Sun identity Management.  Play “Be and Identity Hero” and rescue your enterprise from compliance burdens, clueless colleagues, nosy auditors and learn about the awesome Identity Management solutions from Sun.  You can even play against your friends!