Working in the Java Community Process (JCP)

I still remember the crossroads in my career where I chose between Java EE, Microsoft solutions and Macromedia ColdFusion. I've never had to look back on the choice I made. Java/Java EE have helped me move my career forward and survive two recessions. It feels like both Java and Java EE are facing a cross-roads today and I have an obligation to help it on its path forward this time.

Despite all of it's imperfections as a standards body, I felt the best way I could help is working inside the JCP, with the Java EE 6 (JSR 316) and EJB 3.1 (JSR 318) expert groups as an independent member (on hindsight, I probably should have tried to join JSR 299 as well). I've tried to contribute the best I could in both expert groups and spread the word on Java EE 6 and EJB 3.1 to folks like myself by speaking and writing. I will continue to help along the work of the JCP in the years ahead.

EJB 3 In Action from Manning Publishing

Perhaps unlike a lot of other folks, my experience with EJB has been fairly positive. That is why I felt the need to write about EJB 3 and clear the air about some of what I felt was an unbalanced bias against this criticial, pioneering technology that has gone through dramatic evolution pretty much unlike most other middleware technologies around. There is no doubt that the power and ease-of-use of EJB 3 makes it a worthy platform of a next wave of Java EE developers. Mind you, I have always maintained that Spring should and must co-exist with EJB 3 (just as I think both .NET and Java EE have their place and contributed much to each others growth). This book is written promoting this viewpoint. In the EJB 3 spirit, this book is intended to be as approachable as possible.

When we wrote the book, we didn't know what to expect, really. After thousands of copies sold, numerous good reviews and translation to multiple languages, EJB 3 in Action has proved to be the kind of success we could have never hoped for.

Power-up Trenton

A volunteer-driven non-profit organization named Reboot Philadelphia provides low-cost basic computer training to unemployed and under-employed people in the inner city. The organization gives edge populations like single mothers, prison widows and former factory workers a shot at getting low-skill office jobs like receptionists, data-entry personnel and telemarketers.

When I was living close to Center City Philly, I volunteered for Reboot. After moving eastward near Trenton, NJ, I looked for a similar program close to home. To my surprise, I could not find one. As soon as my work with Java EE winds down a little, I will try to launch such a program, either as an independent non-profit or through an existing organization. I would appreciate any help in tackling this arduous work either with money, know-how, connections, time or facilities.

RahmanNet.net

I find myself spending a lot of time keeping this web site up-to-date. I am very proud of the fact that I built it completely on my own from the ground-up, including the basic HTML design. It runs on Tomcat with a MySQL back end. The to-do list for this site: applying JSF and adding a "Java EE tips and tricks" section.