Simon is a hands-on software architect who works within 
[Twitter] simonbrown: Eating cream cakes in the sun at jersey zoo ... chillin'
[Coding the Architecture] Just a short note to plug a handful of sessions that Kevin and I are presenting at the upcoming Software Architect 2008 conference, 3rd-5th June, London. 1. Coding the Architecture : From Developer to Architect The first is a re-run of our ...
London Java meetup
Just thought that I'd write up a quick entry about the London Java meetup that took place last night. Unfortunately I've not been for a while, mainly because I've been working outside of London, but it was nice to see more people than usual. For me, the best thing about meeting up with like-minded people is that you get to listen to their experiences and hear how they are using the available tools, techniques and processes in their day to day jobs. Rather than summarise here, I'll be writing a few follow-up blog entries. Needless to say, we had some really good discussions over a beer or two.
One thing we need to do is promote the meetup much better. There must be thousands of Java developers working in the city and yet most people that come along kind of stumble across the meetup by accident. I have a few ideas, so watch this space.
Re: London Java meetup
Shame I couldn't make it, Simon. I've not seen you for ages!
There are probably tens of thousands of Java developers in London, but very few of them would be enthusiastic enough to do anything Java related in their own time.
I think that the London Java meetup is doing just fine. It reliably has enough people going that you never need to worry that you'll be on your own, but it's rare that it has too many. A big hand for Jez!