OTN TechBlog

So I was able to sit down with Wim Coekaerts briefly this week for a video chat (via OTN TechCast) about Enterprise Linux - very briefly, I'm afraid, because completeness and detail are NOT among the benefits of Web video. (We also shot another video about Oracle VM, but that hasn't been released yet.)

One of the first things you need to know about Wim is that he is a genuinely nice guy - one of the nicest I've ever met at Oracle, in fact.

You can watch the first video in its entirety below (forgive me for not exactly being "sharp"; I was a bit under the weather), but suffice to say that here Wim helps battle the endemic FUD about the Oracle Unbreakable Linux program with the oft-repeated yet oft-ignored facts: it's not a fork, it's not a distro, it's about one-throat-to-choke support for Oracle customers.

Across the two shoots however I didn't get a chance to ask Wim a question about an item I saw in his Twitter feed recently:

I'd love to know what he means by this - will ask him next chance I get.

OK, so my second video with Wim snuck out; here it is:

BTW someone has asked, "Why are you always running out of time? These can be any length" or something to that effect. The answer is: because data tells us that few people will tolerate a 'cast of more than 10 mins or so in length.

Some of you have no doubt attended, or at least are aware of, the Oracle OpenWorld Unconference, which will occur at the October show for the third year running.

It is my belief that the largest pool of presenters and participants resides in the Developer population - Apps-inebriated Enterprise 2.0 types notwithstanding. This theory holds up when you look at the numbers; typically Unconf sessions involving dev-related topics have been much larger draws.

So, I'd like to take a straw poll about your preferences regarding the following:

1. Should the official Unconference stay where it is, next to the OTN Lounge in Moscone West (four-day duration)?
2. Should the official Unconference move entirely to the site of Oracle Develop (which may be the Marriott or the Hilton) - two-day duration?
3. Should the official Unconference stay where it is, and a new "Oracle Develop Unconference" be spawned at the site of Oracle Develop, wherever that it is (two-day duration)? Or would this be too confusing?

Let's hear it!

OTN Virtual Developer Day: Rich Enterprise Applications (~1100 registrations) is nearly upon us (starts at 8am PT on May 27), so I just want to let you know that I will be live-tweeting the keynote Webcast by Ted Farrell and Steve Harris under the Twitter event tag #OTNVDD.

The keynote will of course be available on demand shortly thereafter, and we will make the URL available at that time (and I will embed it in this blog if possible as well).

Also, a small but important note: The Amazon Machine Image (AMI) used for the hands-on labs will continue to be available after the event has expired, so you will have access to it for the foreseeable future with the usual AWS charges applied.

Update (May 27, 10am PT) - Keynote has concluded and will be available on demand from the same place where you can access sessions and hands-on labs: otn.oracle.com/events/virtualdeveloperday.

Update 2 (May 27, 4:51pm PT) - Keynote replay, as well as HOL manuals, now available at the URL above. Downloadable session content, next.

So OTN Virtual Developer Day has winded down, and it's time to put your AMI instances to bed (unless you want to rack up some charges, of course).

This post is simply a thank-you to those who participated, and especially to those who offered their feedback to the Twitterverse, like @WarPsycho:

Rest assured that we will do more of these in the future. Please complete the imminent survey so we can be sure to make improvements.