ADVISOR: You're presenting a session about security and another about iPhone development. What are the most important skills DevCon attendees will take away from either of the two sessions?
Jonathan Stark
Jonathan Stark Consulting
Jonathan Stark is an author and instructor who specializes in FileMaker/PHP Web applications for creative professionals. Past clients include Staples, Turner Broadcasting, and Ambrosi (now Schawk). He has had numerous articles published in FileMaker Advisor and php|architect magazines and is the author of the book Web Publishing with PHP and FileMaker 9. Jonathan is reluctant to admit that he began his programming career more than 20 years ago on a Tandy TRS-80.
JONATHAN: Both of my sessions are geared toward folks who are relatively new to Web development. My main goal with each is to take a huge topic and boil it down to its essentials. FileMaker developers are smart -- if you show them the ropes, they can usually take it from there.
Take the security talk, for example. There is no end to the list of things you can learn about Web security. In my experience, the toughest part about securing a Web site is learning to think like a hacker. My plan is to actually demonstrate hacks because, once you understand the exploits, preventing them is trivial.
ADVISOR: What's the most surprising/interesting/useful piece of technical information attendees will learn in your sessions?
JONATHAN: Wow, that's a tough question. It sounds like you are looking for a "Thinner thighs in 30 days" sound bite. The truth is that both of my sessions are ostensibly very complex topics that don't lend themselves to quick fixes or simple solutions. Even so, I think attendees will leave my sessions with the confidence and resources to take the plunge onto the Web. I believe that most people will gain enough information to start building useful Web applications right away. I'm really excited about both sessions -- I hope it'll be contagious!
ADVISOR: What other sessions are you looking forward to attending? Why?
JONATHAN: ESS looks great on paper but I havent had much of a chance to get my hands dirty with it, so I am going to be interested in those talks. I'm also a sucker for project management sessions because I think project management is the toughest part of being a successful consultant.
"The toughest part about securing a Web site is learning to think like a hacker. My plan is to actually demonstrate hacks because, once you understand the exploits, preventing them is trivial."
ADVISOR: What is your favorite DevCon "networking" (i.e., fun!) activity?
JONATHAN: I guess it depends on what you are looking for. The jam session is a great place to bond with fellow developers, but it's way too loud to "network" there. I've gone to my fair share of DevCons and I think the two best places to network are the bar and the pool. Since I can't swim, I have always preferred the bar to the Lazy River.
My advice would be to stay out of your room, stay off your computer, and bring a lot of business cards. If you see someone in the hall that you want to talk to, go introduce yourself. You've got all year to sit in your basement -- this is your chance to connect with people who share your FileMaker addiction, so take full advantage of it.
Come meet Jonathan Stark at this year's FileMaker DevCon. You won't want to miss his sessions on Web security and building iPhone applications with FileMaker and PHP.