Android Jam Fest 2016

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AGENDA:

09:00am ------ REGISTRATION

09:30am ------ WELCOME

John/Hendrix/Nitya (Study Jam Facilitators), Baback Izadi (IEEE CS, SUNY New Paltz)

10:00am ------ OPENING TALK

Title: "How Google Can Help Your Career In Tech"

Speaker: Elizabeth Padilla & Martin Omander (Program Managers, Google)

Martin and Elizabeth are Program Managers at Google, and the Regional Leads for all Google Developer Groups in North America.

Abstract: TBD

10:30am ------ FEATURED TALK (IN 2 PARTS)

Part-1: "Taking on Technical Debt To Launch Your Startup -- And How to Pay it Back"

Abstract: A startup is different from most other businesses in that it is designed to grow quickly. But it's not possible to understand your new market when you first get started, so you build something quickly so you can learn as early as possible. Quickly building something for an unknown market means compromising your engineering integrity. When the new business grows you'll realize you need to pay that debt back and fix or re-engineer your product to apply the lessons you've learned along the way.

Part-2: "When to develop natively vs. React Native"

Abstract: The shiny new tooling made available to us through React Native is promising indeed. But, attraction to the new and shiny might not be the best decision for your app. We've experimented with both HTML 5 apps using React and React Native. In the end we built a cross platform product natively on Android, iOS, tvOS, and HTML5, and our decisions may help inform your decisions.

Speaker Bios:

Kris Walker is CTO of Odd Networks. He began a journey in digital media when he attended film school followed by a move to software and engineering. Kris has been developing embedded media and web applications for nearly 10 years. He's worked with engineering and design teams to build interactive guides for the Smithsonian and Universal Studios, early HTML5 mobile applications, interactive handbooks for surgeons on iPad and iBooks, and gaming and entertainment applications on Xbox.

Erik Straub is an Engineer at Odd Networks and MadGlory. He is a web and mobile developer who is open to exploring new stacks if the problem fits. He is technology agnostic, quality driven, and fueled by caffeine and animated gifs. His diverse background in PHP, Ruby, JavaScript, Java, and a handful of others just for fun along the way have allowed him to collaborate with many teams and start ups that have built scalable, multi-tenant web applications. His code has helped manage some of the biggest trade shows, scale online communities that serve millions of gamers worldwide, and develop audiences for brands across TV, mobile and online video platforms

11:00am BREAK (Q&A, Setup)

11:30am ------ JAMFEST SHOWCASE

Moderator: John Shea (Facilitator)

Speakers: Selected Study Jam participants will present their final projects and do a lightning talk (less than 5 mins each) about their Study Jam experiences.

12:30pm ------ LUNCH & VOTE

This is a chance to vote on the Student Projects you heard about, while you grab lunch. Your votes will help decide the best app (audience choice) award.

13:00pm ------ WHAT'S NEXT (Android & Firebase)

Speakers: Nitya & Hendrix (GDG Hudson Valley)

Did you get value from the Android Study Jam? Would you like to continue the journey and learn to build back end solutions with Firebase? Or improve your Android learning by taking on the next step of the Nanodegree?

The session is open to first-timers and existing Jam participants alike. Missed the Android Jam and want to catch up? Come talk to one of the organizers or facilitators.

13:30 ------ CLOSING TALK:

Title: "Entrepreneurship and Why Your Story Matters"

Speaker: E. Patrice Perkins (Director, Startup Grind Albany & Founder, The Word Architect)

Abstract: Patrice will leverage her 25+ years of experience in the state government and private sector, and her experiences moderating a live monthly fireside chat series at StartupGrind Albany, to share anecdotes on starting up, and the importance of storytelling for entrepreneurs.

Speaker Bio:

Patrice is an Army brat, and polymath with 25+ years combined experience in state government and the private sector. As Upstate NY Project Manager for In Focus Brands she enjoys providing “creatively practical” solutions to small and medium-sized business dilemmas; and as Director of Startup Grind Albany she creates space for successful company founders to share their personal stories about building great companies in a monthly fireside chat series. Founder of The Word Architect, a boutique firm focused on helping startups, entrepreneurs and small businesses find their Authentic Brand Metaphor™. Former Santa’s Reindeer Keeper; Warrior Poet.

14:00 RAFFLE & AWARDS

We will be awarding Prizes to Jam participants, and raffling away a lot of gifts to attendees (you must be present to win) who fill in the survey.

Jam Prizes:

• Certificates awarded to all attendees with app

• Prizes for best app (facilitator choice, audience choice)

• Prizes for top contributions, effort

• Prizes for best uncompleted project

14:30pm Doors Close