Posts tagged BugQuash

Between my full-time job, planning the Flex SDK BugQuash, and trying to install Flash Media Server on 64-bit Ubuntu Linux (a real nightmare I tell you), I’ve just been utterly swamped and ultimately have been neglecting my blog. However, I feel compelled to write this blog post letting you know what you are missing if you decide not to attend the open source Flex SDK BugQuash.

What is this BugQuash thing about?

In a nutshell, the Flex SDK BugQuash is a FREE event that is being hosted by Adobe on March 28th in Seattle, WA. Developers will be attending in-person as well as online using Adobe Connect. The goal of the event is to fix, or “quash”, as many bugs in the Flex SDK in 10 hours as humanly possible. There are currently over 200 people registered to attend this event!

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What if I’m not good enough?

Quite a few people have asked this question.

This first BugQuash will have more of a focus on learning. The goal is for everyone in the community to know how to make changes to the Flex SDK, submit patches and ultimately make a better SDK for all of us to work with. Right now there are only a handful of people that are actually submitting patches, which is why we need to focus on getting everyone up to speed on HOW to fix the bugs in the Flex SDK.

You’re certainly not going to be the only one who feels like they have less than expert skills at the event. Much of this event is designed for you, to teach you these skills.

You’ll be able shadow teams working on problems and have your questions answered. If you don’t walk away from this event with a deeper knowledge of the Flex SDK (unless of course you’re already baller status), then I haven’t done my job properly.

So why attend this event in person?

• Snacks – M&Ms, Mixed nuts, Goldfish, gummy fruit snacks (just to name a few).
• Free Food – Lunch and Dinner (I’ve heard rumors of Jimmy Johns).
• Free Drinks – Soda, water and yes… energy drinks!
• Guitar Hero World Tour & Rock Band 2 – yes, including the microphone and drums.
• Face to face time with other developers.
• Music – from our very own DJ Natey Beck.

I can’t make it to Seattle, what’s this remote experience?

This is a world-wide event (shout-out to my friends in Ukraine: JabbyPanda & FlashRipper), with 3/4′s of the attendees being remote. We have put many hours in to making the remote experience a worthwhile experience. Some user groups in other cities are meeting up to attend remotely, check with your local user group for more details.

Trust me, you won’t want to miss it.

Free Stuff!

Attendees will be eligible to win prizes and Adobe software. Both remote and in-person attendees are eligible to win said prizes. Let me repeat that:

BOTH REMOTE AND IN-PERSON ATTENDEES ARE ELIGIBLE TO WIN!

Work together and make friends.

This event is meant to be social. Working together to complete a common task is an excellent way to get to know someone. We’re going to be breaking apart into teams (both remotely and in person) to tackle the bugs together.

We also have a system in place for everyone to communicate with each other. That way if you run into a problem with… let’s say, regular expressions… you can ask for help with it, and find someone who can help you.

The Adobe Flex SDK Team will be attending.

Members of the Adobe Flex SDK Team will be attending and presenting throughout the day. Which is really neat to learn from the people who actually wrote the SDK. We have a room dedicated to “Learning Sessions”, where the Flex SDK Team and other folks will be available online to answer particularly tough questions.

Okay, you’ve convinced me… where do I sign up?

Go to the BugQuash website and Register Now.

So now that I’ve registered, what can I do to get ready?

• Review the Pre-Event checklist that was sent in your registration email.
• Watch the Adobe Developer Connection.
• Watch MAX sessions from AdobeTV.
• Find a “pet” bug that interests you.

How can I help?

• Attend!
• Promote the event, tell your friends.
• Take pictures of the event.