Day 2 of Trip to Google IO - First Day of Conference

Waking up at 6:30AM is not something I do very frequently working a late shift. However, doing this on the west coast made it seem like 9:30AM, which is a lot more agreeable. Arrival to Google IO was just about what I expected it to be. So many nerds and people with laptops, all my kind of people. My kind of people except for those rude international types, you know who I’m talking about, haha. On my way to the bathroom, I got big props for my t-shirt from this one dude, a sure sign that I’m rep’n the east coast proper.

The opening keynote address was impressive in that it resembled a concert with people crowding the stage. I had made a friend from Toronto named Ian on the walk there who shared this enthusiasm, and so I let him lead the way and find some seats. I had been gone for a minute at most to come back and find the entire place packed, people sitting on the ground. I don’t think Google was anticipating so many people, which became more apparent throughout the day.

I started-off by attending a code lab on using the Google App Engine on a Mac. While waiting for the lab to begin, I noticed a gentleman come into the room wheeling gear behind him, and take a seat in the front row. He then asked the people around him, “is there was any wired access or is it all just wireless?” Not really sure ourselves, we couldn’t provide a quality answer but watched as he unveiled and setup a desktop computer. My guess is that he didn’t feel buying a MacBook worth it, but I like to think he is just so committed to desktop efficiency he refuses to buy one. Either way, this guy was totally awesome which is more than I can say for the lab itself. The presenter typified tech elitism, going too fast and unaware of their audience. There was also no preface for the required peripheral software, and many in the audience never got much further than discovering they needed to install a new text editor. I managed to keep up, but soon left in disappointment at what was supposed to be an empathetic “getting started” lab. Not to sound too negative and be too hard on the event, but it seems that many of the attendees subscribe to that whole “l33t culture.” As a lone traveler, my attempts to engage others in conversation are often shunned by people who see me as competition. Having tech ability is so celebrated and respected that sometimes it literally convinces techies that they are superior to others. That is, others aside from other techies. I know that I am probably guilty of this at times, but never to the point that I disassociate myself or feel threatened. Also, this is not the case for everyone at this event, like Ian from Toronto. Ironically, the most respected and revered speakers and engineers featured at the conference seem to be the most friendly and human, if only that were to rub-off on their fans. I suppose I may be expecting a lot out of the crowd since I see so many people here as my brethren, my people.

The rest of the day and sessions were informative and insightful, all-in-all providing a forecast for the future of web technology. Looks like I definitely need to start paying better attention to mobile phone platforms and applications. Everyone seemed to love getting a taste of the Google culture, indulging in the steady stream of free goodies like fresh cookies and soft pretzels throughout the day. Many played pool and just relaxed, cogniscient of the day’s schedule but by no means bound to it. At one point in the day I was thinking of how much it resembles this sort-of modern-day court of the emperor, such convenient pleasures in abundance are representative of the greatness of the king. Oh well, can’t say I wouldn’t mind it. Now I’m off to the after-hours party to hopefully get some laughs and smiles. Don’t wait up.