Oracle strategy for JavaOne/JUG/Java champion

I have participated in the conference call today morning lead by Justin Kestelyn and Mary Lou Dopard from Oracle about JavaOne and Java communities.

This is my understanding and what I heard.

JavaOne :
2010
- JavaOne 2010 will still run at Moscone Center (San Francisco, Ca)
- No change on content (focus on Java technology)
– No change in process and revue
- CommunityOne still on the agenda
After 2010
- JavaOne will become a traveling event (China, Russia, India etc.)

JUGs and Java champion programs:
– The Java champion program will be supported and will not be merged with Oracle programs like ACE (good news for our Java champion Hakim…)
– The JUG program is still on the agenda, support will continue

Others:
- Java.net: Only the logo will change, the content stays the same

What about Africa?
During the conference I asked if Oracle had plans for some Java or Oracle events in Africa. Justin’s answer was something like this: No plan for JavOne in Africa but we could expect some regional events in the next years.

What’s your feeling about that?

Did you say JUG ? Java User ... What ?

Is it still possible to ask this question in 2010?

Isn’t the answer obvious ?

Well no ! It was the question I was asking myself three years ago, even though I had been working as a consultant and Java trainer for seven years. In 2007, my ex-colleague Éric Marcoux (Oracle ACE Director) suggested I join JUG Québec (Canada). I said JUG ? Java User…What ?

Several months later, I went to JavaOne 2008 and when I saw so many developers, architects, engineers from so many countries and so many amazing projects...

... and heard Matt Thompson (ex-SUN) and nearly 40 JUG Leaders talk about importance of the Java community at «Think Globally and Act Locally» session and met Micheal Levin the co-founder of the impressive West African JUG in Senegal, the question wasn’t «What’s a JUG?» anymore but rather «How can a sense of community and belonging be fostered among Java developper in Africa ?». For me the need of JUG-AFRICA became evident.

After talking with Java developpers across Africa, I think JUG-AFRICA could help address questions such as :

• How to take part in international and regional events ?
• How to increase the visibility of the communities accross the world ?
• How to create link with Java communities across the world ?