Dreamforce this is going to be packed with so many sessions and tracks that, at times, it can make your head spin. I took some time this morning to go through the agenda and identify a few sessions I would recommend to someone wanting to start from a beginning developer looking to understand the Force.com platform, and end with some more deep dives to really get your hands dirty. I always like to emphasis real-world experience and best practices, so you will see a number of sessions included in my sample agenda to put you right in the trenches.
Use the list as a guide; Look at the full agenda for everything Dreamforce has to offer: Add and remove based on what you want to get out of the conference —but most of all, see as many sessions as you can! Get there early. Stay late, and enjoy.
See you there.
Tuesday, November 17th
Sessions haven't officially started so come join us at the Force.com Zone
Wednesday, Novemember 18th
8:30 – 11:30: Keynotes. Start the day off with a bang – This year's keynote will be BIG.
11:45 – 12:45: Force.com State of the Union. This is a must see session which will set the stage for anything to do with the Force.com platform
2:15 – 3:15: A look inside the Force.com Infrastructure. When you understand everything that goes on behind the scenes, you will set yourself up for building great apps.
3:30 – 4:30 Force.com in Action. Building an Application in real time. Why talk about it, when you can show it!
4:45 – 5:45: Building Application User Interfaces with Visualforce: Finish off your first day with a great introduction to Visualforce
Any free time, walk the floors at the expo, and spend time in the Force.com Zone.
Thursday, November 19th
7:30 – 8:30: One Force.com Platform – Two Tools for Developing Applications. Get your coffee, and get started early. This is the last beginner session I added to my suggested agenda for Thursday. After this session, we dive deep, and get dirty!
8:30 – 11:30: Keynotes again – don't miss them.
11:30 – 12:30: Building Force.com Apps with Adobe Flex/Air: If you are an advanced developer, start looking at how to build rich user, game-changing apps and interfaces. If you are a beginning developer – be inspired, and get fired up.
1:30 – 2:30: Best Practices for Force.com (Apex) Code: Lessons from the Trenches. Real world examples are the best way to learn.
2:45 – 3:45: Ready to Ride the Google Wave: I am presenting this session with Dan Peterson, Google Wave PM, where we will show you how to leverage Google Wave to build innovative apps, and build a completely new communications channel.
4:00 – Immerse yourself in the Force.com Zone. Wander, explore, and take advantage of the code consultations.
Friday, November 20th
9:00 – 10:00: Force.com Code for Business Logic, Triggers, and Controllers. Great session focused on some of the typical activities a Force.com developer will do on a daily basis.
10:15 – 11:15: From the Front Line: Secrets to Success from Top Consulting Partners. Learn from Salesforce.com Partner's experience. Take plenty of notes!
11:30 – 12:30: How to Write Good Unit Tests in Force.com Code. Every developer, no matter what their skill level should attend this session.
1:00 Update you contact lists, write up your notes, and congratulate yourself for a great conference.