snapcamp's posterous

Thanks for Helping Make Doing Good Easy!

Wow, and just like that, SnapCamp2 is over!  We were working so hard in these awesome SenSage offices in downtown San Francisco, we did not realize how the time flew by.  A million thanks to the Sen Sage team and Adam Sah for donating the space for us.  It is hard to leave when you feel like you just got rolling but have no fear, we will keep in touch via Assembla and Sunday night virtual check-ins (no, you will not need to be online for these).  

We are so excited to build out a stronger development community for the All for Good platform.  Thanks to everyone who came out to camp with us!  We look forward to working with you for the June release of All for Good 2.0.

- The SnapImpact Team

SnapCamp2 - Progress Update!

[Post by the awesome Fiona Schlachter.]

We had so much fun last night that we didn't have time to post about our progress.  The team has been working hard on writing tests in Scala/Lift to build up their knowledge base while they contribute to the All for Good platform migration.  There is some investment required to do this, but that is what camp is all about, right?  You get some scratches, bumps, and maybe even a rash, but it is worth it for the experience.

This is our last day, so the team is hunkering down for 3-4 sprints to get the goal of live data by the end of the weekend.  How do I know?  Well, I came down with a nasty bug and could not attend in person but have been able to check in via video for the kickoffs and sprint updates.  Gotta love the technology! I am sure that it would be better in person, but this is the next best thing and the bonus to all is my germs are with me in Colorado.

Way to go, Campers!

- Fiona Schlachter

SnapCamp2 (SF) Morning Kickoff & Roll Call

[Post by Lloyd Nimetz  --  Welcome, Lloyd!]

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We’re all at the Saturday morning kickoff of SnapCampSF. There was the requisite coffee and bagels, intros for new people like me, and then Dave, Rich and Adam set the foundation for a productive weekend. The table is full of rockstar coders and other committed do-gooders photographed below.  

We started with some the basics like what is this all about, and what are we doing this weekend? The big goal is… “live data by the end of the weekend.” It’s written on the white board and going to be hovering over everybody for the rest of the weekend. It’s an ambitious goal but a lot of the code base is already in there so the group is up to the challenge.

The new back-end is being rewritten in Scala Lift and conveniently David Pollack is here with us; he wrote the book on it!

Rich and I are the only non-coders, but we’re finding ways to contribute within our skill sets like UX, UI and, being a future distribution partner... general ‘customer’ feedback. 

So you know who the heck is writing this: I’m the founder of Blitz Bazaar. Like SnapImpact, we are a distribution provider and will be relying on AFG data. Blitz Bazaar is a new enterprise software start-up that will layer a whole bunch of engaging social gaming and networking UI on top of All for Good’s social actions. It is designed for bounded communities like universities, schools and corporations that want to spice up their community service programs. 

 

(download)

SnapCamp2 Sprint #1 Update

After our opening and a big Scala/Lift tutorial by David Pollak, folks split off into function-based teams. Although the pre-event plan was to do 3-hour sprints, this is the first check-in for the day.

Here, Fiona is running the check-in, holding court as the iChat-enabled talking head.

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The basic 411? We've spent a bunch of time today getting folks up to speed, writing tests, and making headway.

Yes, there's a learning process involved in using Scala/Lift, but it's the right choice for the project and we've got lots of whip-smart folks who are really working hard on this. The goal for tonight is that everyone will have written a contribution - most of them tests.

Chipotle Knows How to Do Customer Service

So... I show up at the local Chipotle with two pages of scribbled burrito orders from the SnapCamp crew.

Not only did they manage to get ALL of the orders exactly right (there's a coding metaphor in there somewhere...), they went above and beyond for our crew of volunteers. They made sure we had names written on each of the burritos, gave us free sodas, kicked in three burrito gift cards, and even provided door-to-door delivery.

Thanks again to the crew at the New Montgomery Street Chipotle! 

Adriana and Juan bringing afternoon caffeine to the SnapCamp2 folks.

 

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Thanks!

 

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Have you seen this developer?

Caffeine is Developer "Go Juice."

Here, Mark Chance helps round up the coffee that will fuel this morning's SnapCamp2 introduction and first coding session.
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One interesting tidbit: this Starbucks location is just down the street from the Moscone Center, where Steve Jobs introduced the first iPhone. As part of that intro, he went to the Google Maps app, found the local Starbucks locations, and called the closest one.
 
 
When they answered, he said:
"Yes, I'd like to order four thousand lattes to go please."
I remember thinking it was both awesome and hilarious. 

Apparently lots of people still watch that YouTube video, see the number, and decide it would be awesome and hilarious to call that same store and order four thousand lattes. According to the store manager, people have been pulling that same prank at least once a day ever since then.
 
I think it might be time for Starbucks to change the store's number and redirect those calls to something hilarious and awesome. Maybe Steve Jobs' home number?
 
 

SnapCamp2 Kicks off at the Thirsty Bear

We had a great turnout for our kickoff event at the Thirsty Bear Brewing Co. In the picture, you can see a bunch of wicked smart people meeting each other, talking about technology, getting a grip on the upcoming project, and having some terrific organic beer.

Oddly enough, it felt just like being back in Boulder.

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I want to give a special shout-out to Nicole Glaros, who's adorable brand-spankin'-new baby is the reason she's not gracing our presence here this weekend. In particular, thanks for helping us to get clear on the mantra for SnapImpact. Knowing that we're here to "Make doing good easy" has made all the difference to us as an organization and has helped us to work on bigger and bigger challenges.

Here's to having fun doing, challenging, important work with great people!