Glen Cordrey

J2EE Architect and Developer

I'm a software architect/developer in the Washington/Baltimore area. I've been developing Java applications for 10 years, mostly J2EE but also J2ME in its infancy. Before J2EE I worked with C/C++, Ada, Fortran, and assembly language. Some of the more interesting things I've been involved in include:

• I'm an occasional author, and former J2ME editor, for Java Developer's Journal. I wrote my first 2 JDJ articles while doing bleeding-edge J2ME work when J2ME was brand new, and as a result I was offered the editing gig. As part of the editing responsibilities I also got to write a monthly editorial, which was an interesting change because the articles require a focus on technical accuracy and exposition whereas with the editorials I could write about whatever I wanted (well, as long as it was related to J2ME) and proffer opinions.
• I was the chief architect for Nextel's Open Source Windowing Toolkit. This work resulted from MIDlets (J2ME MIDP applications) I wrote for Nextel when they were rolling-out the first J2ME-enabled handset in the U.S. The MIDP was brand-new, and there were no books or articles available on how to develop to it. All I had was javadoc and an early-release of the JVM (called a KVM) that kept crashing. Very challenging, intense, and fun (the kind of fun where I didn't mind making and emailing updates back while on vacation in the Caribbean)! To make my work easier I wrote a UI framework, and eventually Nextel contracted us to expand the framework, add persistence and networking frameworks, and provide them as open-source.
• I was a member of the expert group for JSR118, the Mobile Information Device Profile 2.0. Most expert group members represent the big companies and organizations and I was working for a small contracting firm, but because of my work writing 1st-generation MIDP apps I was able to join as an individual. Participating in the evolution of an industry specification was very enlightening, as the discussions among the various group members explored numerous technical and commercial issues.
• I wrote Java and JavaScript to migrate a collaboration suite from a Java applet to AJAX. This was my first experience with AJAX, and the improvement in the user experience over the Web 1.0 page refresh model was impressive. However, it was the early days of AJAX and we had to roll our own JavaScript, and the productivity hit compared to straight Java was painful. Once you've experienced that pain it's easy to understand why the numerous AJAX frameworks and tools (such as GWT) have taken off.
• I was technical lead for development of the on-site component of a defunct online movie ticketing application (ZebraPass). Funded by a group headed by Steven Spielberg's sister, we deployed our first (and only) system to a theater in Malibu, CA, with an opening night attended by some Hollywood celebrities. What's not to like about supporting a deployment to Malibu? And wasn't the tech bubble a fun ride? Lots of venture capital, no business plan required!
• I was the contractor software lead for the 1st-generation data archive and distribution system (DADS) for the Hubble Space Telescope. I went to Cape Canaveral to watch the launch of the 1st HST servicing mission. It was a beautiful launch into a crystal clear night sky.