I’m back from fitc 2006. Rather than post the whole adventure I’ll just post some highlights and random thoughts … Besides, did you really think AS3, Flash Video, Processing, or Flex 2 WOULDN’T be big there? Check out all the very innovative preso’s being posted.

Funny “Stuff”:

TSA (Transportation Security Agents): Strangely enough they never asked me why I had 10 or so portable devices, 2 laptops, and enough wires, batteries, cables, and power adapters to power the entire eastern seaboard. I joke … but seriously, I didn’t get hassled as much as I expected to. Perhaps, I’m internationally flagged as a gadget hound in some db? Or maybe they figured it out after I filled a container with all of them. Oddly enough, the guy with the tatoos and ear, nipple, and other piercing’s after me got clocked by Security after me (and no it wasn’t Josh D., this guy was french).

I also had a laugh when I told the inspections agent I was going to FIT-CAH. “Is that some sort of exercise conference?” She made me feel fat. Guess, I need to exercise more. Too much programming, not enough exercise! Ironic that I need to get “mobile”. Hmmm.

During the panel, I had a brain fart and said the 6620 didn’t run FL2 in the session (I was quickly corrected which was good). Too many devices! Tough to keep everything damn straight …

Somebody that looked exactly like Danny Patterson was at the conference. Dan, I swear this guy was your almost your doppleganger. I started talking to him and a couple minutes in it dawned on me I wasn’t speaking with the real Dan Patterson. I hadn’t seen you in a while … I should have taken a photo, damn.

Phillip Kerman is a smart cookie, but also very practical, knowledgable, and generally a nice guy. Did I mention funny? Yea, that too … or at least I liked his humor. Speaking of which …

Paul Ortchanian has a unique way of combining Math, Flash, 3D, and humor into a presentation. I suggest you check him out if you ever have a chance.

… the cereal box that had all our goodies in it, and the shopping bag. Come on. That was hilarous.

In regards to Flash Mobile:

Besides catching a few sessions here and there (some Processing, discussion panels, AS 3, and Flex), I also came to participate in the Mobility discussion panel.

Orginally it was titled “Build it and then will come”, but we all knew it would turn out to be a Flash Mobile Q&A session for the most part. I think most of us where cool with that. We had a good show with 40 or more people. Most people enjoyed it, and we had quite a few questions. Later, in fact, many asked more Flash Mobile related questions throughout the conference.

James Talbot of Adobe led the panel (Bill had business to attend to in the eastern US). James also headed up FL2 Video Presentation that some of you may have seen at WebDu (you can download it off Bill’s site if not). There was actually quite a good turn out given that Colin Moock’s AS 3 preso was concurrent (perhaps 30-40 people?).

I met quite a few new faces interested in mobile at the conference including most notably David Yang (also on the panel), James Eberhardt, and only a brief introduction to Gabe Sawhney.

Justin Everett-Church was also there. I didn’t talk with Justin as much as I would have liked to (too much going on). I think he’s giving a talk this week sometime. I blogged about it a while back.

After talking with some folks I quickly learned that mobility in Canada could be a lot better. With only 2 (or 3?) major carriers, and a spatter of services …

Overall:

This year this year it was another successful turnout. And boy did they inspire, educate and challenge! I can’t say it was better than last year, but I can say it was more inspirational to me. It was great to meet up with the community up north as well as designers and developers from around the world.

I missed out on the Sox games this time! (sorry guys, I got caught up in work) … my only other regret is not having gone to every single session … but that’s what the video recorders were for right? Perhaps.

Next FITC just around the corner?

And if you’re wondering when the next event is … it’s sooner than you might think. I won’t comment on specifics since I don’t even know if it’s public knowledge or official yet. I’ll give you a no comment on that. Keep checking out the fitc website for more info over the next month or so!

See you all at the next FITC (whenever and whereever that might be).

This entry was posted on Monday, April 24th, 2006 at 5:57 pm and is filed under FITC 2006, Flash, Mobile, flashlite. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.