In this episode we get a bit more technical as Mike talks modularity with Leo Sakhvoruk and Modular Java author Craig Walls. We cover OSGi and Spring-DM in some depth. Topics include:

- Defining modularity
- Publishing Modular Java
- Describing OSGi and Spring-DM
- Answering complaints about OSGi complexity
- Differences in OSGi containers
- Benefits and pitfalls of OSGi in practice
- How Spring-DM is affecting the evolution of OSGi
- What is new in Spring

Craig’s picks:

- http://twitter.com/veryshortstory
- Ops4J Pax Construct: http://wiki.ops4j.org/display/paxconstruct/Pax+Construct
- Spring Expression Language: http://springsource.org

Leo’s pick: Google Web Toolkit: http://code.google.com/webtoolkit/

Mike’s pick: functional programming

- Introductory article: http://www.defmacro.org/ramblings/fp.html
- Scala (runs on JVM): http://www.scala-lang.org/
- Erlang: http://erlang.org/

Contacts

- Craig (@habuma, @modularjava, @springinaction): http://jroller.com/habuma, http://modularjava.com, http://springinaction.com
- Leo: http://improvingworks.com
- Mike (@mikeabney): http://practicallyagile.com

You can provide feedback for this and other episodes through comments at http://improvingpodcasts.com, via email to feedback at improvingpodcasts.com. Reviews and ratings in iTunes are welcome as well (especially positive ones).

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 59:43 — 27.5MB)

In Episode 5, we’ve gathered some of Improving’s most seasoned presenters to share their experiences and advice on technical presentations. Mike and Allen are joined by three of Improving’s Microsoft MVPs: Improving co-founder Jef Newsom, Presenter Mentor founder David O’Hara, and INETA speaker Caleb Jenkins.

Topics:

- How to fail successfully
- Getting people involved and keeping their attention
- How to prepare, and how much
- From concept to presentation
- Making a big impact
- “Slides don’t kill presentations, people kill presentations”

Presentation Resource Picks:

- David – istockphoto.com, images.google.com
- Caleb – flickr.com/search/advanced, slideshare.net
- Mike – everystockphoto.com, dafont.com
- Jef – sxc.hu, beyondbulletpoints.com
- Allen – presentationzen.com

Contact:

- David O’Hara (@davidmohara) blog.davidohara.net
- Caleb Jenkins (@calebjenkins) developingux.com
- Jef Newsom (@jef) blog.perfecting.me
- Mike Abney (@mikeabney) practicallyagile.com
- Allen Hurst (@allenhurst) ahurst.com

Please send feedback to feedback at improvingpodcasts.com or leave comments at improvingpodcasts.com. Please give ratings/comments in iTunes!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:14:53 — 34.3MB)