Prepping for MAX09

This is more than double checking that I have my plane ticket and money for drinks. Max is a HUGE event and one that I am really excited for. As I have told everyone for the last many months, Max is something you can’t miss; but how do you survive it?

Last year I had 3 days of less than an hour of sleep a night and barely made it all the way to the end but it was still worth it. I can tell you now, don’t plan to go to every single session that you put into your session schedule, I would even recommend scheduling some blocks off to just talk to some of the people you will be meeting.

DON’T MISS THE KEYNOTES OR THE SNEAKS!
These are the singular biggest and coolest reasons to come to the conference. From new technology to experimental technology these are by far the coolest things you will see. Monday and Tuesday morning are the keynotes and Tuesday night before the big Adobe bash are the Sneaks.

Also, note that the Sneaks are right after the Max Awards – a place to see some of the coolest pieces of software developed in the last year. So go see the cool software of last year and stay for the cool technology of the next year(s).

Bring your business cards
After the keynote and the sneaks the main reason for Max is to network. If you don’t leave with at least one good contact at the end Max you didn’t talk to enough people. This is the biggest collection of rockstars you will ever hope to have, talk to people, ask for their contact information, and make sure to follow up.

At night I highly recommend keeping your ears open for the places people are going and go out. When networking even the brightest stars like to dim their lights a bit over a pint and a shot – or in my case, some Jack Daniels. Even if you aren’t a drinker go out and chat people up. Some of my favorite memories are filled with discussions of code and theories when we are all 2 sheets to the wind.

Gaucho Secrets
This year I have some new software being shown, hence my quiet blog over the last month or so, displaying some cool things that can be done with Fx4, Fc, and Lc. I am very excited to have this out in the community and am doing a bit to improve it just for Max. Also my company Miller and Associates has been working tirelessly on a few big secrets that will be seen at Max, I highly recommend keeping your eyes and touch senses ready. Make sure to stop by our booth!

Sessions Not To Miss
Every year there are a few DO NOT MISS sessions at Max, usually these aren’t just discussions but times to learn what is REALLY going on behind the scenes and great learning moments right from the people that are creating the software you use every day. Last year for me, the Flash & Air security lecture was just such a session. This year there are quite a few I am looking forward to:

Flash Player Internals
Presenter Lee Thomason

I can’t wait to see what new secrets they will let slip and see “the wizard behind the curtain”. When you get to see the current secrets in the Flash Player you make it a priority to pay attention.

What is new in Flex 4
Presenter Ely Greenfield

Last weekend I was lucky enough to show off some of my software to Ely and guess what HE LIKED IT. Very big compliment. Now he will be using it as an example in his presentation along with the other new features within Flex 4. I will definitely be onsite for this session and look forward to seeing some Flex 4 features that I am sure I overlooked.

Ruby on Rails with Flex: The Fastest Way to RIA
Yes, this is completely self promoting, but I am excited for my presentation tuesday morning as part of the 360|Max unconference. There are many people that haven’t seen the magic that is Ruby on Rails, and when you can set up an AMF3 gateway in seconds this is a technology that is perfectly suited to match with Flex.

Now come check it out, see Fx4 and Ruby on Rails and what it takes to get going. At the end of the presentation I will also be giving away source code for anyone that wants some code to learn from.

Multi-Touch and the Flash Platform
Presenters Daniel Dura and Matt Bugbee

Two of my good friends and workmates (well, technically Danny works at Adobe, but we have done lots of coding together) are showing off their well earned skills on Multi-Touch. I can’t miss this – I will be the heckler in the back of the room . Seriously though, these guys know their stuff. This is the only Multi-Touch presentation worth seeing, especially after you see what they have put together and at what scale!

Moving From Flex 3 to Flex 4
Presenter Joan Lafferty

Don’t miss Joan help move you from the old greatness that was Flex 3 to the new hotness that is Flex 4. She is a wonderful presenter and great friend. And if you haven’t been working with Flex 4 already you will see there is a lot to learn. Nothing too terribly challenging, but still plenty to pick up in the transition, including a new level of control that before now you only dreamed of.

Other than that I am going to be up and around, networking and talking tech. Feel free to keep an eye out for me and hit me up on twitter if you want to meet up: http://twitter.com/jonbcampos