John O'Conner's Blog

Community Archives

Videos and the cubicle effect on content consumption

They do great work over there on the java.sun.com editorial team, and they've been improving the site with lots of videos lately. The last three featured content pieces have been videos. That's excellent work, but it's inaccessible for a couple reasons.

First, I like to hit java.sun.com first thing in the day from my workplace. That's been a cubicle environment recently. I can quietly read a text article, even print it and read it later during a lunch break. Unfortunately, I can't do the same with the videos. They're fun, sure, but unwatchable because video and audio are distracting to others in the office. Bandwidth issues aside...people just don't like to hear this from another cube. I understand that, so I don't intrude on their peace and quiet. Unfortunately, the video is inaccessible to me. And when I get home, well, there's a better than even chance that I won't watch a tech video then either.

Second, the videos are inaccessible to those with hearing or sight impairments. Seems obvious, right? Can't hear...the audio isn't usable. Can't see...can't watch the video either. I suppose you could listen to the video -- but not in my cube. So, the videos are inaccessible to others too. Granted, those who can't benefit from the videos are a small minority. Still, wouldn't it be nice to include them as far as possible?

I think a solution is possible. Video is a great idea for java.sun.com, and clearly the medium is popular. Just witness the popularity of YouTube, etc. I think the videos could be improved though with something very simple. Transcripts.

Providing a transcript with the video would allow cubicle dwellers access to the content. The same transcript makes the content accessible to hearing and site impaired developers too. Can't hear -- you can read the transcript content. Can't see? Text readers exist for that case. Either way, the videos become more accessible to a larger group of people.

Is this a complaint? No way. I enjoy practically all of the content provided by java.sun.com. This is just a friendly suggestion, hoping that it will bring the content to an even wider audience.

It has been a long, long time since I last worked in a cubical environment. I find the experience undesirable but tolerable. It makes me curious though...just how many of us work in a cube environment? Might be a great polling opportunity for the java.net editors...

The Java job market is hot!

After almost 8 years at Sun, I'm moving on. I have enjoyed every minute of my employment here. But business plans, products, and teams change. My recent job as a developer advocate and writer for the Sun Developer Network is over, and I'll move on to something new.

From working on the core Java SE platform and its internationalization features to writing technical articles for Java developers, I've had rewarding work at Sun. What a great place to work! What a great product to work with! What fantastic teams too!

Some of my recent projects at Sun were these:

• Core Tech Tips Newsletter and the recent blog effort
• The JavaFX Script Learning Curve series
• and all those featured technical articles

I'm a little bummed about leaving Sun, but I'm excited about all the opportunities available in our Java community. This is a great time to be a Java developer. Have you checked sites like Dice, Monster, or Yahoo Hot Jobs. The market is hot, hot, hot. If you're a Java programmer/developer/engineer, you have lots of options.

Hopefully the readers here and elsewhere have enjoyed my articles on java.sun.com. In fact, I enjoy writing for you -- Java developers -- so much that I plan on continuing. If you've enjoyed my work, you might look around here in the future. Hopefully, I'll be able to contribute to the content on java.net and elsewhere. And if your company needs a technology evangelist, developer advocate, technical writer, or Java developer, let me know. I'm in the market for something new and challenging!

Have you recently changed jobs? I'm curious how long it took you to find something new. Seems like Java developers are needed everywhere, so I expect you didn't have to search long. I'd enjoy hearing your success stories.

JavaChina...I can't believe I missed the party

I was poking around recently and found out that JavaOne in San Francisco isn't the only big time party/conference for Java enthusiasts. It turns out that the Chinese like a little Java fun too. In what may be the biggest Java conference in the world, JavaChina took place just this week! I can't believe I missed it. Sounds like it was huge...as in simultaneous conferences in 8 cities across China, all connected live to the mother ship in Beijing huge.

Duke's taking it on the road yet again. This time to Tokyo, Japan. JavaOne Tokyo takes place from Nov 8 through Nov 10 2005. Invitation or not, I'm not going to miss this. Hope to see you there!

Know of any other Java conferences around the world? Let me know!

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.