Lessons learnt from public presentation at GDD

Nov 24 2010

We have attended annual Google event for developers in Prague and made a presentation on accompanying event by czech GTUG.

We have continued a nice tradition of attending Google Developer Days (GDD) in Prague. For those who do not know - GDD is annual meeting of people from google, developers and enterpreneurs interested in Google technology. We have been attending this nice event since its start three years ago.

This time we had different aim from previous ones - we wanted to gather some feedback for touchqode - our mobile IDE (or code editor for mobile phones). We also got chance to present at mini GUG camp section of GDD. We spent the day chasing people (googlers, investors, general users and even some press people) and attending sessions.

What we found out:

• Touchqode UI is not immediately obvious (and probably UI of any IDE in general) - it is quite apparent that once you get the keyboard shown you want to type, but there is a lot more functionality that remains hidden at first glance (autocomplete, copy&paste, search). Think vim - most first time users exit it with ctrl+z and kill.
  Lesson learnt: add some in app help system/tutorial.
• Mobile IDE is funny and intriguing idea. But it usually takes some explanation so that people start seeing it as really useful app.
  Lesson learnt: even more talking to people is necessary, even easier code synchronization and better UI is needed.
• IDE is not easily presentable We will have to work on this, since we have been completely blown off the water by CZU guy showing google earth based maritime visualizations.
  Lesson learnt: prepare a standard presentation with some catchy video/demo.
• Showing off touchqode on tablet (Samsung Galaxy Tab) is great - much better than couple of people peering into my old HTC Hero. The drawback is that some people get an idea that it won't work or it won't be usable on their mobile phone.
  So stay assured - we still test and use touchqode on our phones as well. And it works!
• Polish, polish, polish - nothing to do with country of Poland - but if you want to get featured definitely a half assed attempt won't do.
  Lesson learnt: for a lot of scenarios there is android framework functionality or standard way of doing it somewhere in docs. It is worth finding.

All in all interesting and inspiring day so next year we will be there again.

touchqode team