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

Speaking honestly on stage

Yakov Fain: Yes, but first of all, I'm not afraid of announcing my opinion on anything. If we're talking about Oracle, and before that Sun Microsystems, I was awarded the title "Java Champion" in 2005. This basically means that you have to promote Java, no matter what.

Despite that, I've never had a problem saying that I don't like something about Java or a particular area in Java. The fact that I was given the title is great, but I don't think twice about speaking up if I don't like something.

Having said that, I've never been an employee of Oracle and I didn't work for Sun Microsystems. If an employer was to ask me to avoid showing negative parts of its software, I would listen. The company would be paying my salary, so I would have to play fair.

In terms of hiding bugs, back in 2009, I cofounded another company that automates the work of insurance agents who sell life insurance to people. When we started the company...