New Community in the works

Thought I’d put a shout out here about a new community we’re trying to start up.

It’s called “Flexing Our Programming Minds” A good bit of the focus might be on Flex and the building of RIAs and such but I for one would like it to be more free-wheeling and focused on Software and Software Development in general.

The way I see it, the world of development and the world of the “Developer” is opening up. In a way you can’t say “I do this, and only this. I only write C++ Applications for the Desktop environment” or such. Because in a lot of ways the differences between the areas are getting very grey. Also there are many “generic” development concepts that are available and have been available for a long time. Design Patterns for example have application in most every type of venue. As does OOP (would you write in a language that wasn’t OOP-based these days? I know I got offered the chance a bit ago and I said to myself “No way!”). Not to mention the fact that sometimes you can see something written in one language and see ways that it could be applied in your language(s) of choice.

 Ok I’ve pleaded my case for what I see it as eventually, but what it will become in the long run is only partially controlled by one person. It is controlled by all the members of the community and the input given.

The concept is a place for us all to have our input and to share, to support (yeah yeah yeah blah blah blah all those good words LOL).  

And I’m inviting you to give your input, to give a little feedback or a lot. And that doesn’t mean simply “positive” feedback, though it does mean “constructive” feedback. In other words, “This thing sucks!” is ok so long as you put forth some valid reasons why you feel that it sucks and how it could be changed otherwise.

 Let me also say that this is in no way a replacement for any of the other very valuable places already in existence, it’s simply an adjunct of it.

 Now you’re probably saying to yourself “Ok Christopher, you’ve said all this but where the heck is the stuff so I can see it for myself and make up my own mind?” Well here’s that info.

1) The main website can be found at http://www.geocities.com/minds2gether/ This like all the other parts of the community is still very much in the development stage. But it is what we have designed to provide a launching pad to the other areas of the community. I will admit that the e-mail page is not currently working, for example, so if you wish to sound off, feel free to send an e-mail minds2gether@yahoo.com

2) We have a yahoo group at http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/FlexMinds/

3) And we have a Blog started at http://flexminds.wordpress.com/

Along with these starts as far as “arms” of the community we also have some other ideas, such as possibly a wiki and a some projects that could possibly develop into products of their own. And if you happen to have some other ideas in that vein feel free to share them.

We look forward to hearing from you.