Chicago Ruby

Saturday, 9:30 – 11:30 AM. Chicago Ruby is a collection of Ruby and Ruby on Rails enthusiasts providing content for both Ruby Nubies and Master Jedis. Meetings for sharing knowledge and excitement happen on the 1st Tuesday of each month in downtown Chicago and the 3rd Saturday in Elmhurst. Check them out at http://chicagoruby.org/.

Girl Developers & #LadiesHackNight

Saturday, 1 PM – 3 PM. Today’s developer community is predominantly male but several meetup groups have arisen to provide a place for women to learn and collaborate in Chicago. Both #LadiesHackNight and Chicago Girl Developers will be in attendance to discussing projects ranging from PHP to Python to Photoshop. If you are a women and looking to build a company – you should probably stop by and chat.

Chicago Python Users Group (ChiPy)

Saturday, 2 PM – 4PM. ChiPy consists of people at all levels of programming and Python knowledge.  Don’t be intimidated – just come to a meeting a learn on the second Thursday of every month.  Check out their site at http://chipy.org/.

Chicago ALT.NET

Saturday, 3 PM – 5 PM. This group unites .NET developers seeking self-improvement and betterment of software development practices. Learning is rooted in incorporating non-Microsoft references and other platforms into becoming a more complete .NET developer. Check them out on the second Wednesday of each month at http://chicagoalt.net.

Chicago FLEX

Sunday, 1 PM – 2 PM. Chicago Flex is a non-profit organization dedicated to furthering professional development of Flex & Air users in the Chicago area.  If you are interested in incorporating Flex into one of your next projects – stop by and chat or visit their website at http://chicagoflex.org.

Lake County .NET

Sunday, 2 PM – 3 PM. Meet up on second Thursday of every month at the College of Lake County to discuss .NET development.  Sharing knowledge and resources is the norm so visit http://www.lcnug.org for more information.

You experienced meteoric success with “Where I’ve Been.” What inspired you to create it?

I wanted to show my friends “where I’ve been”, and I saw an opportunity to leverage Facebook’s platform. Plus I like to build things!

Sounds like “Where I’ve Been” was rooted in your love for travel. How important is passion to success?

It depends completely on what you are trying to build.  Yes, Ferrari is all about a passion for automotive engineering, but I would imagine Subway was built with clever use of a spreadsheet, not a passion for sandwiches.  The only secrets to success that I know of, are focus, speed, diversity and taking educated risks. Also if your bootstrapping a startup, learn to wear multiple hats.

You’ve said “Where I’ve Been” was the best mistake you ever made. What did you mean by that?

Yes, I said these words once and they were taken a little out of context. I was working on another startup idea at the time, as soon as I found out about the launch of Facebook’s platform I put everything on pause, and created the first version of Where I’ve Been over a weekend. I definitely saw potential but  massively underestimated how quickly it would grow through my friends and friends of friends – a viral loop as it’s now called.  These were indeed “mistakes” but overall, some of the best ones I’ve ever made.

What tools or resources did you find the most useful as you worked to grow Where I’ve Been?

Amazon’s Cloud has been a life saver in addition to the plethora of open source technologies available. Most recently I’ve been trying new ideas out on Heroku, since it is free to get a simple concept live.  There is nothing better than going from an idea to a fully launched site in days for almost no cost.

Do you have advice for entrepreneurs looking to create communities for people with similar passions?

Don’t do it. Build a new community is incredibly difficult and Facebook’s is has made people with common interests readily available through their API. Leverage it and test your idea without trying to start from zero.

SocialDevCamp is only 3 days away! Don’t miss out on learning sessions with leaders like Craig Ulliott.  Look forward to seeing you this weekend.

I’m registered and ready to go!

I’ve been convinced to attend and am registered! What should I bring?
A laptop (any kind of computing device) and a power strip are two essential items you should pack to get the most out of SocialDevCamp. Food and beverages are available throughout the event, but prepare for special dietary concerns if needed.

There are two parties? How can I join the fun?

SocialDevCamp badges are not only for remembering your name – they also double as a golden ticket for free drinks at the official afterparty at State bar (935 W. Webster Ave.) on Saturday evening. It’s only a couple of blocks away from the DePaul Student Center. Bonus!  You can also join the official launch party on Friday night at Noble Tree Cafe (2444 N. Clark) to pick up your badges and learn more about the hackathon.  We’ll be announcing prize categories, pairing additional teams, and mingling with dev evangelists from Apps 4 Metro Chicago, PayPal, Google, and more!

Opportunities for collaboration provide the true “magic” and can easily be instilled throughout an event via open-discussion, unconference panels, hackathons and even PARTIES.  The main requirement is creating activities that increase the amount of direct skill and knowledge sharing.  Below is a list of ways to make sure you’re getting maximum “hallway” value this weekend.

1. Ask Questions. All presentations are designed to promote interaction with time for question and response sessions.  Don’t be shy or surprised when audience members provide responses as insightful as the speaker.
2. Attend the after-parties. Evening networking events are available on both Friday and Saturday.  Join developers and entrepreneurs at the Hackathon Kickoff on Friday August 26 or enjoy complimentary drinks with speakers at State on Saturday evening, August 27.
3. Lead an unconference Session. If you have a specific topic that needs more exploration than a speaker response can provide – submit a session for the unconference.  Great place for informal dialogue and feedback.
4. Join a hackathon team.  The SocialDevCamp hackathon is an equal opportunity contest meaning we welcome developers, designers, business strategists, animators, etc.  Everyone has unique talents!  Sign up for a team.

The event is less the one-week away on August 27-28.  What on earth are you waiting for!  Head over to Eventbrite to register for a weekend packed with maximum “hallway” value.

Before posting – we sent the giveaway opportunity to our accountant and verified a street value of $1799 for the low price of $75 (the cost of you attending SocialDevCamp).   He warned that providing a $75 for $1799 offer would usher a new era of group buying insanity, but we are willing to take the risk.  Follow the instructions below to enter for you chance to win a copy of Adobe Creative Suite 5.5.

1. Register for SocialDevCamp before Saturday, August 20th

2. Be selected from our random number generator

3. Win the hackathon with your newly acquired tools

That’s all that is required!  And if you need assistance learning protips for Flex, Photoshop, Illustrator, etc – there might be a few a designers in attendance to listen to David Kadavy discuss his forthcoming book “Design for Hackers” on Saturday, August 27th.  Make sure to register today for your chance to win!

How is the W3C working to improve the Web as a platform?

W3C is interested in making the Web the most interoperable platform available. Apps built with open standards need to work on any device: desktop, tablet, mobile, television, and future devices not yet invented. We are engaging with lots of innovators (both W3C Members and non-Members) to create standards and tests that make the Web platform powerful, reliable, and available to all.

What is the status of HTML 5 and what do you think its biggest impact will be?

We are very excited that HTML5 is already widely deployed and encourage people to try it out and share experiences with the W3C HTML Working Group. W3C continues to work with all the major browser vendors and many other stakeholders to stabilize the specification and ensure broad interoperability by developing a comprehensive test suite. We just finished a “Last Call” review period for HTML5 and will now be updating that specification based on the review comments.  It’s important to remember that the full Open Web Platform is much larger than HTML5, and includes CSS, SVG, a host of APIs, javascript, and more. The biggest impact of the full platform will be to lower the development costs of reaching any type of device.

“Within the next 10 years, we should be able to bridge the gap between computer devices and television.”

Let’s look ahead to how the web will function 20 years from now. What’s your vision?

Device convergence, and that is what we are designing for today. We, users, see more and more integration of devices. Desktop computers, laptops, Smartphones, and tablets are on the forefront of the convergence nowadays. The capability of the Web platform will continue to be extended. For example, I think video will be far more common in lots of new ways. First, bandwidth will continue to get cheaper, and all devices will be ready for video, television, and so on. Second, you’ll be able to do whatever you want directly in your browser. This means that people will create cool apps for services like teleconferences, and those services will run natively. Third, we are making good progress on making video a first-class Web citizen, through HTML5 video but also through other efforts such as media fragments work (so you can create links into and out of video). Within the next 10 years, we should be able to bridge the gap between computer devices and television. Web 5.0 will be the Web accessible from anywhere, at any time, and from any kind of device. We will interact with our Web browser in our car using voice command, receiving driving instructions from the Web, and request information on any point of interest encountered on the way.

What role do standards and the W3C have in bringing that vision to life?

W3C is very interested in innovation around Web technology, and giving developers a venue for building community support around new ideas. We are also interested in the standardization of mature ideas because so many industries rely on stability and also patent safety. W3C knows that a stable platform can foster creativity, and in turn, the best ideas can mature into global standards. We are building an ecosystem
to nurture that entire cycle.

Would you like to share anything else you’re excited about right now?

I’ve been closely involved in the work of the Web Performance Working Group lately, which started about 1 year ago. This Group is working at enhancing app performance, and measuring performance through APIs. We are working on specifications that deal with timing information related to resource loading, or provide means to better schedule script based animations. The work is advancing rapidly, and some of the new techniques are already deployed. Performance is a big topic and we have lots more to do to be able to run HTML5 apps as fast as native apps, but the results are already quite satisfying.

What initially attracted you to an event like SocialDevCamp Chicago?

In 2009 I started my second non-profit organization and served on the board of three charities.  All of which did not have a budget in place to afford having an online presence.  After numerous quotes on web development and logo design, I decided to seek out educational events where I may be able to learn how to use the internet to raise awareness for these organizations.  When I read about SocialDevCamp, I was in the process of attempting to learn how to build a website on my own and thought it would be a good idea to linger around other developers and see if I may be able to catch at least one useful piece of information. Going into the event I had no idea what a developer really did. Sometimes having little expectations allows room to recognize how experiences can exceed even the biggest expectations.

What was your experience at SocialDevCamp like as a “n00b”?

Walking into the first day of the event, I didn’t think I was going to know anyone. And because it was set up as a conference-style event, I felt comfortable with that.  I was there to learn more than to socialize.  What I didn’t realize was that this particular event merges the two. The social aspect comes naturally and not only did I walk away with more knowledge than I knew what to do with, but I ended up making connections there that were incredibly life changing. The tech community opened their doors to a “newbie” with no questions asked, no judgement, and have been nothing but helpful and supportive ever since.  I recommend that anyone and everyone attend SocialDevCamp Chicago if they have any interest in using the Internet, or any form of technology, to market or build a business.

Editor’s note: me/blushes

What was the impact for you of attending an event like SocialDevCamp?

The impact from my first SocialDevCamp experience still blows me away three years later.  Since then, I’ve learned front end development and have created two websites for children’s charities, I’m proficient with CSS/HTML and can manipulate PHP, I’ve become addicted to mobile hackathons (and even started organizing them) and I was asked to direct the unconference portion of SDCChi (2010/2011). I attend multiple tech meetup and user groups to learn about new languages and different platforms to build on. Eventually I think I’ll find my niche in the dev world.  As far as the friendships that I formed, I cannot even begin to describe what an amazing group of people I’ve grown to know and work with since then.  My entire career has shifted into something I couldn’t have dreamed up if I tried. And yes, I do owe it all to SocialDevCamp 2009.  I’ve been to hundreds (literally) of events since then and nothing has shown potential for a similar experience.  Maybe it’s first love syndrome, I’m not certain. I can’t say that everyone will have the same life-changing experience that I did, but I am confident that it will be a positive experience for everyone.

What do you think of the startup “scene” in Chicago?

The startup/Internet scene in Chicago is exciting, passionate, driven, innovative and strong. SocialDevCamp Chicago has supported this scene since their first event.  A number of startups originated at SDCChi during the hackathon competition and two are now in the Excellerate Labs 2011 program!  Being of an entrepreneur mindset myself, I have great appreciation for the dedication and hard work that goes into starting a new business from an idea. And seeing some of these ideas come to life from concept to completion is one of the greatest professional privileges I could ever have.  Working for Artisan, a creative talent firm, I have the opportunity to work with these starups on a regular basis.  My work consists of creating opportunities, connections and environments to promote growth in Chicago’s tech community. It’s the most rewarding thing I can think of doing and I’m so thankful to be a part of an amazing group of people.

What would you say to someone contemplating SocialDevCamp?

I recommend SocialDevCamp to anyone who has an interest in building business, marketing, technology, innovation, forward thinking and connecting to passionate and driven people who know how to have fun.

The SocialDevCamp team is excited to announce a partnership with the Metropolitan Information Center of Chicago (MCIC) and it’s Apps 4 Metro Chicago Illinois (A4MC) Partners.  The partnership will include introducing the first round winners of the A4MC Competition at the event on August 27!  Chicago’s Department of Transportation Commissioner Gabe Klein will be in attendance to present the awards for best application using public transportation data. Make sure you are in attendance for a first look at the apps helping to improve the life of Chicagoans.

If you are not familiar with Apps 4 Metro Chicago Illinois – it is a first-of-its-kind competition organized by the MCIC, the City of Chicago, the State of Illinois, and Cook County.  The collaborative is working with community organizations and local businesses to offer 200+ data sets and $50,000 in prizes during the coming months for the creation of applications improving the lives of millions of residents! Additional support for this competition comes from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition, the Motorola Mobility Foundation and The Chicago Community Trust. Visit their site at http://www.appsformetrochicago.com

I build apps. Can I join?

There is still time to compete in the current round for $5K in prizes by submitting a transportation related app before August 15 at 11:59 PM.  For more information on how to participate in the contest and what constitutes a “transportation related app” – visit the Guidelines page on the A4MC site.

You can also wait until the SocialDevCamp Hackathon (create a team today) to sta rt working on your app for the second round of A4MC.  The focus in this round centers on Community – any app that improves the Chicago experience for residents and visitors based on a specific geography.  Submissions for the Community round are due by 11:59 pm on September 30^th but why not compete for your share of over $7,500 in prizes, sponsored by Dice.com and other prize contributors at SocialDevCamp.

We read that you studied the origins of typography in Rome. How is that relevant to modern computer-driven design?

DK: Because the form of any design relies upon the technology used to create it. Typography is a unique art form because it is inextricably tied to our language. The Roman Empire is the birthplace of many letterforms that we still use today. Pixels on a screen are completely different from chisels and stone, but the characteristics from both of those tools meet in modern computer-driven design. Especially in typography.

What do you think the biggest impact of the Internet was on typography and on design in general?

DK: The Internet and the personal computer has turned ordinary people into publishers. Now we all have amazing control over design, typography, and layout, but few of us have been taught how to use that new power effectively. That’s why we need design literacy, and that’s at the heart of why I wrote this book.

What are some of the most common mistakes made by web designers?

DK: Like so many things in life, many beginning designers get lost in details that aren’t as important as they seem. For example, there are thousands of fonts available, and you only need a few to be effective. Heck, you could get by with ONE. Also, people tend to try to use lots of extra lines and boxes and other junk, when really they should be concentrating on more subtle factors like size changes in fonts, and the white space between pieces of information.

Your upcoming book is written to help developers and entrepreneurs “see the world” like a designer.” Can you explain?

DK: There are some design principles, and theories on color and geometry that are at least somewhat consistent amongst trained designers. Some of them use them subconsciously, and that may be why designers often have difficulty in articulating their thought process.

What advice would you give to a developer just diving into design?

DK: Start simple. Try doing a layout all in one font, in all black and white, with no rule lines, boxes, or other ornamentation. Once you can make that look good and clear, you can start mixing in other factors, such as rule lines, graphics, and color. You don’t always have to design this way, of course, but this exercise will make you much better at manipulating all of the invisible factors that shape beautiful design.

What single concept could really benefit non-designers to understand, especially when it comes to building new digital products?

DK: Design is shaped by tools and technology. If you understand how that has resulted in great work in the past then you can create great work for today.

Is collaboration important for learning these principles?

DK: If collaboration is at all important for this, it’s in viewing the work of other designers, and talking with other designers about the decisions they’ve made. If you really try to recreate a piece of work done by another designer (just as an exercise, don’t plagarize!) you can really learn a lot. That said, I think locking yourself in your apartment and experimenting with design until your own viewpoint emerges should never be underestimated.

I need to ask you one last question: Is comic sans really such a bad font? My grandma seems to love it.

DK: As I’ve talked about before, Comic Sans is not the most typographically sound typeface. But, I have some sympathy for Comic Sans: it was created to be used with a certain technology (aliased screens), then it became used with different technology on a massive scale. It’s not Comic Sans’s fault. It’s not Comic Sans’s fault.

Register now to win Mockups from Balsamiq!

This interview with David Kadavy got us excited about design so, we decided to contact our friends over at Balsamiq to provide several copies of Mockups (a $79 value) to select SocialDevCamp attendees. For a chance to win, simply register for the event before August 4th, 2011 at 11:59 pm, CST. Winners will be selected randomly and provided instructions on how to redeem their Mockups license via email.

Reminder: if you register before Sunday, August 1st, 2011 you can take advantage of the early bird special. This could result in $154 ($79 Mockups license + $75 regular admission to Camp) for only $50!

Introducing User Group Office Hours

The SocialDevCamp team brainstormed on how to best remedy this problem and devised the solution of creating user groups with dedicated “office hours” at the event on August 27-28.  We’re providing interested groups with the time and space to discuss their field of expertise with attendees – resulting in new members, stronger community relationships, and hopefully some collaboration opportunities.  No cost. No lengthy time commitments.  Just some dedicated space and several hundred talented designers, developers, and marketers willing to share ideas.

How to Participate

If interested in holding office hours at SocialDevCamp 2011 – simply contact co-chair Andy Angelos and he will send you instructions on how to reserve your time and space.  Attendees will be notified about available office hours through signage at the event and also encouraged to ask for expert opinions on projects, technical problems, etc through event messaging.  Interests we’d love to have represented include: Development Languages (Ruby, Python, Java, Objective C), Design (front-end focus, Adobe products, etc), Entrepreneurship (product development, legal), and Marketing (social, interactive, paid, etc). Really, we are open to any user groups with interesting skills but ask that you consider the following guidelines:

1. The user group must open to the public
2. The user group cannot be a for-profit entity
3. The user group must meet quarterly at minimum
4. The user group cannot sell or represent for-profit entities at the group

Make sure you register soon to avoid missing the opportunity to interact with a variety of groups under one roof.  Early-bird registration ends on August, 1 2011 so don’t wait to get your tickets and learn from user groups united under one roof!