DevFestW: developing diversity

By Stephanie Liu, Developer Relations, Global Programs Lead

The best part of my job (besides making alliterative blog post titles) is working with developer communities, especially the incredibly passionate Google Developer Groups. Many chapters have been working in their local regions to diversify their communities and make them more inclusive for women developers (e.g. the Android codelab in Tokyo pictured below, and GDG Philippines). Because of these great local initiatives, we’re collaborating with the global organizer community to launch a DevFestW season during the month of March.

Like previous DevFests, DevFestW events are community-led efforts that feature technical sessions on Google’s developer tools and platforms. DevFestW also places an emphasis on bringing together women developers to teach, learn, code, and network.

Diversity is important to us at Google, both within the company and within our developer ecosystem. To truly innovate and grow, we need a diverse set of people coming up with solutions and creating products for a varied audience. We’re excited to support this initiative, and to see what foundation we can build for a lasting, vibrant community.

Visit devfest.info to find and register for a DevFestW event in your region. Stay up-to-date on all things DevFestW by following and hashtagging posts with #gdg #devfestw. Join the conversation by becoming a part of the GDG Women community on Google+. Happy festing!

Want to learn more? Find your nearest GDG chapter, get involved in local events, and connect with Google developers 24/7/365 on Google Developers Live.


Stephanie Liu leads developer outreach for North America, as well as the global programs team. She likes to relax by speedcubing.

Posted by Scott Knaster, Editor

Calling student coders: Hardcode, the secure coding contest for App Engine

By Parisa Tabriz, Security Team

Cross-posted from the Google Online Security Blog

Protecting user security and privacy is a huge responsibility, and software security is a big part of it. Learning about new ways to “break” applications is important, but learning preventative skills to use when “building” software, like secure design and coding practices, is just as critical. To help promote secure development habits, Google is once again partnering with the organizers of SyScan to host Hardcode, a secure coding contest on the Google App Engine platform.

Participation will be open to teams of up to 5 full-time students (undergraduate or high school, additional restrictions may apply). Contestants will be asked to develop open source applications that meet a set of functional and security requirements. The contest will consist of two rounds: a qualifying round over the Internet, with broad participation from any team of students, and a final round, to be held during SyScan on April 23-25 in Singapore.

During the qualifying round, teams will be tasked with building an application and describing its security design. A panel of judges will assess all submitted applications and select the top five to compete in the final round.

At SyScan, the five finalist teams will be asked to develop a set of additional features and fix any security flaws identified in their qualifying submission. After two more days of hacking, a panel of judges will rank the projects and select a grand prize winning team that will receive $20,000 Singapore dollars. The 2nd-5th place finalist teams will receive $15,000, $10,000, $5,000, and $5,000 Singapore dollars, respectively.

Hardcode begins on Friday, January 18th. Full contest details will be be announced via our mailing list, so subscribe there for more information.


Written by Parisa Tabriz, Security Team.

Posted by Scott Knaster, Editor

Google HackFair in South Korea

By Soonson Kwon, Developer Relations Program Manager

For developers and engineers, the best way to learn something is to get your hands dirty and try making something. That is why Google hosts many hackathons around the world. Last November 17 and 18, we had a bigger experiment at Gangnam (yes, this is the very Gangnam in Gangnam Style!) in Seoul, South Korea which expanded a 1-2 day hackathon into a much longer one which we called Google HackFair.



The idea was to give developers enough time (2 months) to develop something bigger and provide a nice chance to showcase their projects. 153 developers submitted 92 projects, and 40 projects were chosen from among them and displayed. Developers used many different technologies, including Android, Chrome, App Engine, and HTML5, and they completed creative and interesting projects: a remote controlled car guided by Android, a serial terminal for Chrome, a braille printer using Go, and many more!

Besides the exhibition, we also prepared a mini-conference and GDG (Google Developers Group) booth where Googlers and community developers gave 27 sessions in total.

More than 1000 people attended and enjoyed the Google HackFair. Although the event is finished, developers continue updating and polishing their projects. It was a great time indeed.

If you are interested in details for the projects including full demos or source code, please check here.


Soonson Kwon is Developer Relations Program Manager and Country Lead for South Korea. His mission is to help Korean developers make better use of Google’s developer products. He is also passionate about Open Source.

Posted by Scott Knaster, Editor

A week of digital innovation on GDL

By Hope Friedland, Agency Marketing

Creative genius meets digital innovation this week on Google Developers Live (GDL). Airing Monday through Friday at 2:30pm EST | 19:30 UTC, the agencies and developers behind some of the coolest stuff in the Creative Sandbox gallery sit down with Google product experts. They’ll talk about what they built, how they did it, and explain their hangups and breakthroughs. Visit the Google+ Event to RSVP, tune in live on GDL, and explore the gallery here.

Here’s the detailed schedule:

Monday: Mobile | archived | featuring Beattie McGuinness Bungay | Watch at http://goo.gl/ITC17

Tuesday: YouTube API | 2:30pm EST | 19:30 UTC | featuring Saatchi & Saatchi LA, Stoop LA, and Ogilvy Paris | Watch at http://goo.gl/0OlFr

Wednesday: DoubleClick Rich Media | 2:30pm EST | 19:30 UTC | featuring Grow and Spinnaker | Watch at http://goo.gl/xKvKp

Thursday: Google+ API | 2:30pm EST | 19:30 UTC | featuring Resn, Goodby Silverstein & Partners and Hook | Watch at http://goo.gl/kdqlW

Friday: Geo API | 2:30pm EST | 19:30 UTC | featuring McCann New York, Goodby Silverstein & Partners and Famous Interactive | Watch at http://goo.gl/AwQT6

Connect with us at developers.google.com/live. Tune into live programming, check out the latest in Google tools & technologies, and learn how to make great apps.


Hope Friedland is a marketing manager on the hunt for cutting-edge digital campaigns that will inspire ad agency creatives to come up with the next big idea (see Creative Sandbox). She's an occasional globetrotter and is especially fond of anything creative, interactive and newsworthy.

Posted by Scott Knaster, Editor

DevFest season in the final stretch

By Phoebe Peronto, Developer Marketing

We’re heading into the last leg of DevFest season, and it’s time to share the latest from events all over the world. From a live Twitter stream at DevFest Lima (#devfestlima), to keynote highlights from the GDG Algeria event, to shared learning resources from speakers at DevFest Hyderabad, festing devs have a lot to look forward to in the coming weeks! Check out highlights from past events, along with upcoming event links & dates.  

DevFest Bangkok (Bangkok, Thailand) | Host: GDG Thailand
DevFest Bangkok attendees shared photos live from the event, posting updates directly to Google+. Ruben Licera, Jr., a GDG DevFest Bangkok attendee shared to Google+, “Congrats in advance +Wittaya Assawsathain  and the whole +GDG Thailand community. =)”

DevFest Lima (Lima, Peru) | Host: GDG Lima
Check out the Google+ #devfestlima stream from the October 27th event.

DevFest Chennai (Chennai, India) | Host: GDG Chennai
“With 365 attendees at DevFest Chennai, the event was jam packed with curious developers! There were a series of talks and hack demos from a variety of speakers, who kept the audience intact throughout the event.  We were amazed by the reactions we got from the audience throughout the event, and we are completely happy about the way the event happened.” --Karthik K. (GDG Chennai Organizer)

DevFest Beijing | Host: GDG Beijing
“GDG Beijing organized a DevFest with about 200 local developers, business leaders, and college students participating. We covered Android, Google Maps API, and HTML5. Bill Luan of Google Developer Relations presented the 2012 Google I/O update and DevRel global program update on GDL, GDE, and GDA.

“Speakers from local companies Sunda and NQ presented HTML, web app development, and Android low-level security for application development. Our event also  included a special session on startup topics. Directors from three local VC firms, Legend Star Capital, Zero2IPO Ventures, and China Center for Information Industry (CCID), joined a panel discussion on how to leverage technologies for startups. You can find more information about the event, including photos, here.” --Jerry Ge (GDG Beijing Organizer)

G|Algeria (Algiers, Algeria) | Host: GDG Algiers
The GDG Algiers team posted updates from their event in real-time, including moments from Googler Patrick Heneghen’s keynote address:

“Patrick Heneghen, doing the Keynote at #gAlgeriaExtended. It was an awesome moment!” --GDG Algiers

DevFest Hyderabad (Hyderabad, India)| Host: GDG Hyderabad
At DevFest Hyderabad, attendees had fun both doodling and doing cool things with Google technologies. From Neil Ghosh’s open sourcing of HTML5 slides used during the event for online community use, to attendee Harish Kotra’s product session update, “Features of Android 4.1 built using the name Project Butter by Anirudh at #gdg  #devfest Hyderabad!,” the event was absolutely a success.

Check out other recent DevFest events.  Click the links for more information.
DevFest Cochabamba (Cochabamba, Bolivia) | Host: GDG Cochabamba
DevFest Valley View University (Ghana) | Host: GDG Valley View University
DevFest Chandigarh (Chandigarh, India) | Host:  GDG Chandigarh
DevFest Brunei (Brunei, Brunei) | Host: GDG Brunei
DevFest Accra (Accra, Ghana) Accra, Ghana | Host: GDG Ghana
DevFest Ouaga (Ouaga, Burkina Faso) | Host: GDG Ouaga
DevFest Uruguay (Montevideo, Uruguay) | Host: GDG Uruguay
DevFest Bacolod (Bacolod, Philippines) | Host: GDG Bacolod
DevFest Nantes (Nantes, France) | Host: GDG Nantes

Just added:
DevFest Barcelona (Barcelona, Spain) | Host: GDG Barcelona
DevFest Prague (Prague, Czech Republic) | Host: GDG Prague

What’s up next?

Dubai, UAE | 11/9/2012
Brazza, Congo | 11/10/2012
Murcia, Spain | 11/10/2012
Vienna, Austria | 11/10/2012 - 11/11/2012
Shikoku, Japan | 11/10/2012

Just added:
Omsk, Russia | 11/16/2012
Moscow, Russia | 11/17/2012
Voronezh, Russia | 11/18/2012

Want to learn more? Find your nearest GDG chapter, get involved in local events, and connect with Google developers 24/7/365 on Google Developers Live.


Phoebe Peronto is an Associate Product Marketing Manager on the Developer Marketing team here at Google. She’s a foodie who has a penchant for traveling, politics, and running. Oh, and of course...Go Cal Bears!

Posted by Scott Knaster, Editor

GDG DevFest season isn’t slowing down

By Phoebe Peronto, Developer Marketing

If the past three months have been any indication of the power of the global Google Developer community, then we have a lot to look forward to with the remainder of the DevFest season. From local experts in Google technologies hosting track sessions, to attendees creating usable and innovative apps in event hackathons, the Google Developer ecosystem is energized by big community momentum. The season continues this month through November end, so stay tuned for upcoming events and ways to get involved in your local chapter. See below for the latest from the most recent #gdg #devfest events around the world--we can assure you you’re in for a wonderful treat.

DevFest Berlin | Host: GDG Berlin
October 13, 2012, c-base
GDG Berlin captured DevFest Berlin sessions on video that are now available to the public. With sessions and a full agenda, DevFest Berlin also hosted a hackathon that yielded innovative projects built with Google tools and technologies. DevFest attendee Mister Schtief wrote of the hacked Chirp app: “It works!!! Transferring data with sound between two mobile phones with chirp app #devfest +DevFest Berlin.”

DevFest Amman | Host: GDG Amman
October 13, 2012, Talal Abu Ghazaleh Knowledge Center

DevFest Dhaka | Host: GDG Dhaka
October 14, 2012, United International University
DevFest Dhaka captured event highlights in a Google+ photo gallery
 

DevFest OAU | Host: GDG OAU
October 18, 2012, Obafemi Awolowo University

DevFest Chlef | Host: GDG Chlef
GDG Chlef thought outside the box when crafting their event announcement, bringing visibility to their developer event with a video showcasing cross-platform technologies featured in the weekend’s sessions.

DevFest Firenze | Host: GDG Firenze
October 19-20, 2012, Firenze, Italia Piazza Annigoni 9/B

DevFest Zurich | Host: GDG Zurich
October 19, 2012, Zurich Youth Hostel
Sessions, speakers, and a successful hackathon encapsulated the DevFest Zurich experience. Take a peek at the hackathon project ideas here. Of the event, attendee Andreas Müller posted on Google+: “Enjoyed this weekend from the beginning to the end. Many thanks to the orga team, well done!” 

DevFest West | Hosts: GDG Silicon Valley, GDG San Francisco, GDG Fresno, GDG Alameda
October 20, 2012, Mountain View, CA (Google Bldg 1900)
DevFest West took place this weekend in Google’s own backyard. The event featured 11 tech talk sessions (9 Google speakers), a 30-minute shopping spree in the Google store, an all-night hackathon, 3 code labs, and 2 food trucks. It was a collaboration between 4 local GDGs (Silicon Valley, San Francisco, Fresno, and Alameda).  With some fortune-telling, big smiles, and memes, the event was clearly a success!


DevFest Sicilia | Host: GDG Nebrodi
October 20, 2012
GDG Nebrodi took the registration and event experience to the next level for its attendees by providing a localized app directly downloadable from Google Play. The app features an agenda, calendar of events, session titles, and more.

DevFest Thiès | Host: GDG Thiès
October 20, 2012, CRE THIES
GDG Thiès documented event highlights in a shareable photo gallery on their Google+ page

DevFest Jkuat | Host: GDG Jkuat
October 20, 2012
View the full event gallery here





DevFest Goma | Host: GDG Goma
October 20, 2012, l'Institut Supérieur d'informatique et de Gestion (ISIG) de Goma

DevFest Cochabamba | Host: GDG Cochabamba
October 20, 2012, ULRA/UMSS


What’s up next?
La Paz, Bolivia | October 24, 2012
Bangkok, Thailand | October 26, 2012
Valley View University, Ghana | October 26, 2012
Lima, Peru | October 27, 2012
Ouaga, Burkina Faso | 10/27/2012
Chennai, India | October 27, 2012
Chandigarh, India |October 27, 2012
Brunei, Brunei | October 29, 2012

Want to learn more?  Find your nearest GDG chapter, get involved in local events, and join the conversation about all things Google Developer at developers.google.com.


Phoebe Peronto is an Associate Product Marketing Manager on the Developer Marketing team here at Google. She’s a foodie who has a penchant for traveling, politics, and running. Oh, and of course...Go Cal Bears!

Posted by Scott Knaster, Editor

GDG DevFests harness the power of community

By Phoebe Peronto, Developer Marketing

The global reach of GDG DevFest season continues in this third update. The season kicked off with DevFest Manila in early August, and since then, the community has organized 30 events all over the world. We’re only part way through the season, with many great events still to come. Powered by local Google Developer Groups, this past weekend saw 9 more events. From real-time updates directly from event attendees, to app demos, to memorable moments, here are the latest updates in DevFest-ing:

DevFest Santa Fe | Host: GDG Santa Fe
“Muy bueno el evento! Me gustaría que estas actividades se realicen más seguido, ya que generan relaciones profesionales y académicas muy fructíferas. Saludos!” -- Andrés Testi, DevFest Santa Fe attendee

“Gran evento +Matias Molinas y +Santa Fe GTUG. Felicitaciones por compartir el talento con toda la comunidad de desarrolladores!" -- Nicolas Bortolotti, DevFest Santa Fe attendee

DevFest Ninja | Host: GDG Buenos Aires
Catch up on all things DevFest Ninja with real-time updates from attendees on the GDG Buenos Aires group site.

DevFest Kuala Lumpur | Host: GDG Kuala Lumpur
GDG Kuala Lumpur utilized Google+ in the planning of their event, encouraging attendees to add speakers to their circles to get the most up-to-date information throughout the day (list of speakers).

DevFest Mumbai | Host: GDG Mumbai
It was a full house at GDG DevFest Mumbai--check out the full photo gallery on Google+.

DevFest Pune | Host: GDG Pune
Photos from the event are all viewable here, including sessions, speakers, and registration.

DevFest Bandung (BDG) | Host: GDG Bandung
“Thanks to everyone for attending and for being part of our first-ever GDG DevFest held in Bandung [...]  The event was attended by around 140 people from different backgrounds, including experienced developers, designers, students, lecturers, and newbie programmers.” -- GDG BDG [read full recap here]

DevFest Kathmandu | Host: GDG Kathmandu
“On October 6th 2012, GDG Kathmandu organized one of the best events since its March 2011 founding. Within the first 3 days of announcing the event, we already had 200 committed participants.  A session conducted as a Hangout On Air by Android Developer Advocate Anirudh Dewani was an entirely new experience for Google Developers here in Kathmandu. It was a grand experience of GDG Kathmandu and DevFest Kathmandu was huge success.” -- GDG Kathmandu

DevFest Mbale | Host: GDG Mbale
“GDG DevFest Mbale was the first Devfest to be held in Uganda and the biggest event with technical content held in Mbale with 120 total attendees. The code lab, conducted by James Muranga from GDG Kampala, was the most memorable moment for participants. He introduced Google App Engine, and followed with a code lab that saw attendees getting up to speed developing web apps that run on Google’s platforms. James also demoed an app, Mafuta Go, that he and a team of 4 developed working out from OutBox Hub. It was very inspiring to developers and students alike to see an idea like James’ team’s materialize.” -- Nsubuga Hassan, GDG DevFest Organizer

DevFest Yarmouk University | Host: GDG Yarmouk University

“Best Event Ever”

What’s up next?
Berlin | October 13
Chlef | October 15
UPDATE: Brazza | moved to November 10
Firenze | October, 19
Zurich | October 20
UPDATE: DevFest West (Mountain View) | October 20
Nebrodi | October 20
Thiès | October 20 [tentative]

DevFest isn’t close to over – we’re still going strong! Events are being held all over the world until November 11, and getting involved is a simple 3-step process: find your nearest GDG, attend an event, and join the community. Visit devfest.info for specific event details and session updates.


Phoebe Peronto is an Associate Product Marketing Manager on the Developer Marketing team here at Google. She’s a foodie who has a penchant for traveling, politics, and running. Oh, and of course...Go Cal Bears!

Posted by Scott Knaster, Editor