Here are a few reviews that discuss my book:
http://www.amazon.com/review/R6B6I68PW7FPD/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm
http://blog.bielu.com/2010/01/tomcat-6-developers-guide-book-review.html
http://blog.bielu.com/2010/01/tomcat-6-developers-guide-book-review.html#links
I had a chance to discuss Tomcat (and my book) at the Object Technology User Group (OTUG) meeting at the University of St Thomas.
I’ve read that people are often more scared of death than of public speaking. And, there’s nothing more terrifying than crashing and burning in front of a live audience. In many ways, I consider these nothing less than interviews with the entire set of attendees comprising the panel!
So I treat every presentation with the greatest respect.
Devi had attended my previous presentation at the Tek Systems Java Users Group back in December and had given me some nice pointers on how to spruce up my presentation. All of which I incorporated into my delivery this time round.
I follow a simple three point strategy for all my presentations.
First, I go heavy on diagrams and light on the text. I like to leave an unadorned diagram on the screen, and then paint word pictures to fill in the gaps. The upside is that everyone remains focused on me, while allowing me the flexibility of tailoring the discussion based on the interests/experience profile of the group.
I’ve seen too many presentations where the presenter is simply reading off of the slides. My solution is to simply not have any text on them 
Second, I divide my presentation into core and optional areas. I have a single core track that absolutely needs to be covered. Then I have one of two optional tracks that I can pick from depending on the time available or on audience interest.
At OTUG, we had almost 2.5 hours, so I covered the core aspects of chapters 1 through 3. Once that was done, I continued on with my optional track of Java class loading mechanics. Time permitting, I would have been able to go over my other optional track (which I left unused) – a live demonstration of Tomcat and a sample web application running dissected within Eclipse.
(I have a third optional track that I’m developing … but its not ready for sharing just yet. )
Finally, I’m an animated presenter and I get very excited when talking about Tomcat and advanced Java concepts. So my third strategy is to play to my strengths.
The best presenters I’ve seen are masters at closing the distance between the audience and themselves – for instance by using humor, or by their infectious enthusiasm for a topic. I try hard to convey my excitement by engaging the audience in a discussion on Tomcat; and by staying agile around the podium. Its not uncommon to see me gesticulating animatedly at various parts of the screen, or walking towards the audience to eliminate the physical distance between myself and the audience.
The audience was very receptive and very gracious – and so the talk went on for almost a half hour longer than expected. We started at around 6:00 and were done at 8:30. There were interesting conversations that followed, and I finally made my way home only around 10pm!
I had hoped to put the kids to bed, but they were already fast asleep by the time I got in.
So, Two down, Four more to go!
Dec 8, 2010 – Tek Systems JUG
Feb 16, 2010 – OTUG
My upcoming events:
Mar 8, 2010 – Twin Cities Java Users Group
Mar 30, 2010 – Madison JUG
Mar 31, 2010 – Milwaukee JUG
Apr 20, 2010 – Chicago JUG
