Discipline is the mother of all innovation…!

I’ve decided to dedicate one hour per day to learning Java. If I remember correctly, Jeremy did something similar, but I’m not sure it was for this language. Reasons for doing this are:

• A good intro-language for code-dummies like me!
• Built to be cross-platform: not only PC-wise, but on mobiles as well (I plan to write about the latter in a future post).
• Plenty of resources around (more in this in a sec)!
• The intellectual challenge!
• Necessity: remember my last mantra?

After looking around for resources, of which there is no shortage, I’ve decided on a three-pronged approach:

• A lecture-series, by Swinburne University of Technology, entitled “Object Orientated Programming” (free on iTunes U)
• A book, called “Head First Java, 2nd Edition,” which got good reviews on Amazon, and is co-authored by Kathy Sierra. The lecture above recommends, “Core Java, Volume 1,” which I have to see whether that would make sense to get, in order to follow what they are saying.
• Exercise-tutorials, to learn the basics, of which there is no shortage online. I am currently a third of the way with the tutorials on Javaomatic, and will see what happens afterwards.

Since I don’t like working solo on things, I think a logical next step is to take part in projects where I can practice my l33t haXing skillZ as well as contribute on the business developmental side.

My questions to the audience are:

1. Where do you stand on Java as a language and as a standard? Personally, I have yet to come across a Java-app that I actually use day-to-day.
2. What is the one Java app that I should check out to inspire me!?
3. How easy is it to build on top of Java and learn/use other languages? What web-languages are most related to Java (yes, I am aware that Java could be a considered a web-language also)?

Enjoy the weekend!
Vincent

P.S. don’t forget to answer our poll !!!

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When in business, assume that:

• Originality is zero and copycats are a-plenty
• Ideas are worth nothing unless they can be and are acted upon
• The early bird catches the worm
• Passive research is good, active testing is better
• With customers, everything else falls into place, so sell-sell-sell !

What does this tell you about starting a business? That you, as an entrepreneur, should be in a place where two things happen quickly: technology being developed and the market being developed. If the market is there, but missing the tech: develop the tech! If the tech is there, but missing the market: develop the market!

With those deceptively simple words, I’ll leave you, but before I do, a brief note about my mantra-series: With them, I am essentially developing an entrepreneurial philosophy, which I am encouraging you to share and criticise. To repeat, mantra 1 was: get paid for what you do, rather than making that a secondary issue. Mantra 2 is: have the skills and resources to act quickly when you need to act. This particular recession, for instance, which has barely got started and will truly hit us in 2009, pushes this point home particularly strongly.

Enjoy the weekend!

Vincent

P.S. don’t forget to answer our poll !!!

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