DevConnections in Las Vegas Next week! Last minute reminders

Connections

DevConnections is this coming up this week! Here are some last minute things to know about.

The registration is unbelievable this year. There are nearly 5000 people registered for the combined shows. More stats: 190 speakers and held in a convention center that is literally one million square feet!

  1. If it’s not too late, don’t forget to vote before you leave! Check with your town clerk ASAP.
  2. There’s a Women in I.T. Lunch on Thursday for attendees and speakers. Space is limited, so sign up for it when you register.
  3. Bring your suit! You may find some time to enjoy the beach and big pools at the Mandalay before, between or after sessions. The weather is looking great – low 80’s and sunny during the days.
  4. Bring comfortable shoes since you’ll be doing a lot of walking. Not that I’ve ever seen a programmer in high heels. 🙂
  5. Evening activities
    1. Monday Keynotes 6:30 – 8:30pm
    2. Tuesday 5-7pm reception in Expo Hall
    3. Tuesday 7:15 – 9:15 Microsoft Unplugged for attendees of ASP.NET/SQL/Mobile Connections (w/pizza & beer)
  6. If you’ve never been to Las Vegas, get a pass for the local 2 decker bus that drives all the way up the strip and back. The strip itself is 4 miles and ends at the Stratosphere, but the bus goes past that and through the old downtown, too.  It’s $5 for a whole day (just pay for the pass as you get on the bus) and seeing the strip at night is a must. I only did this for the first time last year. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Vegas_Strip
  7. I’ve never done it but have constantly heard that the last minute tickets to the Vegas shows are the way to go as they are heavily discounted. I think the deal is just walk up to the ticket window shortly before the show. Something to consider. 

Very proud of one of my clients: MapsAlive

Community Cheerleading

One of my clients rolled out the Beta version of their big project this week – a public website with brilliant plumbing that allows end users to build their own interactive floorplans and maps. Drop your map or plan onto the site, upload pictures that represent views of different locations on the map/plan (a bedroom, a vista on a trail map), link them up, type in some descriptions and voila – you have a beautiful end product that any user can easily navigate. There are no refreshes to bring the various pictures up and I’m not talking AJAX style partial post backs. The photos just transparently change on the page.

It was a major undertaking and is all done in asp.net 2.0. I did not do the site, but mentored them through a good chunk of the process. It was wonderful to work with folks who were not only software smart, but their level of attention to the user experience was hugely impressive to me.

It’s called MapsAlive.

Go check it out and it’s a beta – so feedback is appreciated!

Here’s a screenshot of the home page.

 

Halloween 2007: Pippi & the Vampire

Purely Personal

Rich and I went to a halloween costume party this past weekend. I did something I’ve always wanted to do – put wire in my braids to make them stick out so I can be Pippi Longstocking. My hair is a little long for doing this which made it hard to get through doorways and a little dangerous to walk around the party. Rich was a villanous Vampire.

 

Vermont IT Jobs: Oracle Database Admin at Burton Snowboards

Jobs

Oracle Database Administrator
 
Burton Snowbards is looking for a talented, senior-level Oracle Database administrator to join our fast-paced IT team to manage our enterprise database systems. This position requires a broad set of skills and will be responsible for designing, installing, configuring, documenting, and supporting Oracle databases in an SAP environment.
 
Responsibilities include installing and configuring software, applying patches, disaster recovery processes, backup and recovery procedures, capacity planning, and regular maintenance tasks. Maintaining database availability, including: monitoring, alerting, and proactively maintaining databases to avoid loss of database access and availability. Database performance tuning-including analysis, performance optimization, and memory management. Experience with Oracle-specific backup, refresh, and restore procedures is essential.
 
A Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate field and a minimum of 3 years of senior level experience managing Oracle databases in an enterprise ERP environment is required. Demonstrated experience with planning, designing, configuring, installing, and troubleshooting Oracle 9i/10g is needed. Preferred candidates will be well-versed in Oracle SQL and PL/SQL, UNIX shell scripting, and logical/physical data design and modeling. Familiarity with HP-UX/ Linux file systems and SAN environments is a plus. This position requires strong oral, written and organization skills, excellent time and project management skills, and a strong ability to prioritize tasks.
 
Please apply through our online application system at www.burton.com
Burton Snowboards
80 Industrial Parkway
Burlington, VT 05401
802 862 4500