Marvin Lee Dot Net

I had a fun afternoon last Saturday with some Gee Thugs in KL.

Sounds like a triad, looks like a triad, smells like a triad. The only thing is, it’s not a triad.

GTUG (yeah pronounced Gee Thug) is the abbreviation for Google Technology User Group.

The first meetup of GTUG KL was at iTrain, Jalan Tun Razak, Megan Avenue just beside Plaza OSK.

Mike from iTrain was the wonderful and ever smiling host of the day.

GTUG KL was founded by Nazrul who had everything ready to go for the first meetup of Malaysian Google fans.

The first meetup was mainly about Android, the phone which has since started to enter Malaysia.

Nazrul gave an overview of the GTUG and then proceeded to fill the crowd with information of Google Android.

Some photos to share:

He also ran the Android emulator or virtual device with Eclipse IDE.

Following that, we had lightning talks, where those who are interested gave an average 5 minutes talk on their Google Technology of choice.

Kegan demo his MalaysiaCrime.com project which uses Google Maps extensively.

Chee Aun showed his six gay GAE (Google App Engine) projects welcomed by huge laughter from the crowd when he called them ‘my gay apps’.

Ikhwan Nazri a.k.a. Tekong demonstrated his OfficeKami.com project that tracks and aggregates all his mobile office locations with useful information for mobile warriors or solopreneurs.

Colin Charles a.k.a. bytebot shared about the powerful Google Sites that can replace traditional free hosted websites like Geocities, Tripod and the likes in no time. He also feature Google Sites as ‘A poor man’s version of MS Access’.

Then, along came Razlan who showed us his Android G1!

He got his G1 for free from Wherecamp 09 at Palo Alto.

He has a program in the G1 that could decode the QR code on Nazrul’s t-shirt.

I had a chance to borrow the Android from Razlan later and found out that I like it so much!
Even though it’s the first generation of Android, I can’t help loving it already.

Subsequently, Haresh demonstrated how Google SketchUp can easily create 3D modelling without the need to have complicated software installed.

At the end of the lightning talk sessions, a voting was held to select the best talk to win a GTUG t-shirt and a cool GTUG USB Hub which transforms more than Optimus Prime. The winner was Tekong. I’m starting to like his talks already since the previous one from BarCamp.

A group shot of the GTUG KL first meetup before all of us belah.

Oh, just in case you were wondering why I wasn’t in the photos, that’s because I took those photographs. Hehe..

Thanks to Surianee, there are a couple of photos with me in it.

I had a quick 5-min intro on OpenSocial with FriendConnect.

You can checkout some videos recorded by Mike from his YouTube itrainulearn channel.

If you’re a fan of Google Technologies and located in KL, come join the user group and meet some techies and some not-so-techie a.k.a noob like me.
If you’re interested to set up a GTUG at another area, contact Nazrul.
Do follow GTUG events/meetups, Facebook group and twitter.

GTUG members are really not thugs. Serious.

Events, Google, Malaysia, Technology Android, Android G1, Google App Engine, Google Sites, Google SketchUp, GTUG, GTUG KL, GTUG KL Meetup, iTrain, MalaysiaCrime, OfficeKami, OpenSocial

The sequel to Android Developer Challenge is back.
There is an enormous bounty up for grabs with the highest reward amounting to USD 250k.
USD 250,000 for one person or a team!

I had a brief experience with Android SDK previously but gave up hope developing applications for it due to time constraints.

So to those who missed the first chance previously, now is your second chance for the jackpot, but honestly, starting to pick up the SDK and to develop a winning application for it wouldn’t be easy at all. Effectively there’s only less than 2 months left for submission of the Android application.

A few rules that I think are advantage for those who are starting to pick up Android:

*The ADC 2 contest is open only to applications that have not been published

*An application that has already been made available to the public (at the time of judging) is ineligible, regardless whether it is free or sold commercially.

*Additionally, applications that were entered in the ADC 1 contest are ineligible for the ADC 2 contest, regardless whether they were winning apps.

*Similarly, updated versions of applications entered in the ADC 1 contest are ineligible for ADC 2.

Looks like Google are singling out new developers for this challenge so that there will be more Android developers around the world. The rules would definitely be an advantage to new developers since there would have been a bigger challenge should those who participated in the first one are allowed to submit in the second challenge too.

Some other Terms and Conditions:
All submitted applications must run on Android 1.5 and be in English.

Awards

Prizes will be distributed as follows; all prizes are in USD:

For each of the 10 categories:

* 1st prize: $100,000
* 2nd prize: $50,000
* 3rd prize: $25,000

Overall (across all categories)

* 1st prize: $150,000 (meaning the overall winner will receive $250,000)
* 2nd prize: $50,000 (meaning the 2nd prize winner will receive up to $150,000)
* 3rd prize: $25,000 (meaning the 3rd prize winner will receive up to $125,000)

Impatient already? View the full details at the Android Developer Challenge site.

Some resources that might be helpful for you in your quest for the $250k reward
Android Developer Challenge 1 Winners
Android Developers Website
Android Google Code Project
Android Developers Guide
Android Developer’s Blog

And if you’re free this June 27th, Saturday and have something in mind to share about Android, why not join the Malaysian Google Technology User Group (KL) meetup?

Events, Google, Software, Technology Android, Android Developer Challenge, Android SDK, Google, Google Code, Google prize

GSC latest cinema in Tropicana City Mall, Petaling Jaya will be opening its doors to the public this June.

And its opening will be a fanfare with Transformers : Revenge of the Fallen.

Highlight of the weekend activity (June 27) is a Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” roadshow whereby Transformers fans will be challenged to transform the Transformers toys in the shortest time.

The new 8-screen GSC Tropicana City which houses 1,449-seats also provides two wheelchair space per hall for the physically challenged patrons.

There will also be a four-day free screenings for the public from this Saturday till Tues (June 20- 23) onwards.

The free movie screening schedule is below:

Image Source : GSC

You can redeem up to 4 tickets per person by printing this coupon. One coupon only allows 2 redemption tickets, so if you’re thinking of getting 4, print two copies.

The coupon only allows for same day movie screening, meaning you redeem your free tickets on the movie day itself (between 20th June 2009 and 23rd June 2009).

You will need to join the queue redemption exercise which starts from 10am on 4 days of free movie screening.

Free goodies such as balloons, “Buy 1 Free 1″ coupons, “Buy 2 Free 1″ coupons will be given away during the cinema opening weekend on June 27th and 28th 2009.
With every purchase of a GSC regular or large combo with F & N Coca-Cola drinks, GSC patrons will be rewarded with a complimentary can drink.

Visit GSC website for full details here.

Events, Gossips, Malaysia, Movies GSC, Petaling Jaya, PJ, Tropicana City, Tropicana City Mall