Book Image

Developer, Advocate!

By : Geertjan Wielenga
Book Image

Developer, Advocate!

By: Geertjan Wielenga

Overview of this book

What exactly is a developer advocate, and how do they connect developers and companies around the world? Why is the area of developer relations set to explode? Can anybody with a passion for tech become a developer advocate? What are the keys to success on a global scale? How does a developer advocate maintain authenticity when balancing the needs of their company and their tech community? What are the hot topics in areas including Java, JavaScript, "tech for good," artificial intelligence, blockchain, the cloud, and open source? These are just a few of the questions addressed by developer advocate and author Geertjan Wielenga in Developer, Advocate!. 32 of the industry's most prominent developer advocates, from companies including Oracle, Microsoft, Google, and Amazon, open up about what it's like to turn a lifelong passion for knowledge sharing about tech into a rewarding career. These advocates run the gamut from working at large software vendors to small start-ups, along with independent developer advocates who work within organizations or for themselves. In Developer, Advocate!, readers will see how developer advocates are actively changing the world, not only for developers, but for individuals and companies navigating the fast-changing tech landscape. More importantly, Developer, Advocate! serves as a rallying cry to inspire and motivate tech enthusiasts and burgeoning developer advocates to get started and take their first steps within their tech community.
Table of Contents (36 chapters)
34
Other Books You May Enjoy
35
Index
36
Packt

The advocacy versus evangelism debate

Scott Davis: We could spend our entire conversation simply unpacking the politics behind those two phrases. I prefer "advocacy" over "evangelism" because it implies a more measured, thoughtful, and nuanced discussion. But I can appreciate the passion behind evangelism, and my speaking style has been compared favorably to a "pastor in the pulpit" more than once.

For most of my professional career, as an author, teacher, and speaker at software conferences, I've tried to focus on advocating free and open-source tech.

I like lending my voice and passion to projects that may not have large corporations behind them.

Geertjan Wielenga: But wouldn't you say that in the term "evangelism" there is something about enthusiasm that "advocacy" might be missing?

Scott Davis: Since I'm not being paid by a corporation to talk about its products, I definitely have an honest, heartfelt fire in the belly for...