Giorgio Natili: Developer spotlight

What technologies are you currently using?

I am interested in rich Internet applications (RIAs) so, for the most part, I'm using Adobe technologies that enable me to build great user experiences: Flex, Flash, Flash Media Server, and ColdFusion. More recently, I've explored other server-side technologies, including Java. I'm also interested in mobile development; more specifically, I'm working on integrating Flash Lite and Symbian C++.

What is the most recent project you've built and what technologies have you used?

The two most recent projects I completed with Adobe technologies are Supergirl and Love Cartier. Both websites use ActionScript 3.0, XML, PHP, and Flash video in order to enhance the user experience. One of the challenges I had to deal with for the Supergirl website was the 3D navigation. In order to implement this feature I ported an existing framework from ActionScript 2.0 to ActionScript 3.0 while extending some functionality; I will reveal how I did this on my blog.

What excites you, inspires you, or makes you say, "Wow that's really cool" about the technologies you work with?

For me it's all about the user experience. If a technology enables me to create great user experiences, I'm thrilled. The first time I saw Flash (six years ago), Flex (three years ago), Flash Media Server (four years ago), and AIR (one year ago) and started playing with these technologies, I had the same feeling: these are powerful technologies with which I can create great experiences.

Where do you get your information about technology?

I rely on Google to help me find the information I want and need. I also frequently visit SourceForge and the Adobe Developer Connection as well as Sys-Com and the Flex-coders Yahoo! Group. I believe that all these resources are great and have something that can inspire you. The only kind of resources that I avoid are self-promoting blogs.

What are some of your favorite websites or blogs?

There are a lot of blogs and websites I really love. On the mobile front, I keep an eye on the following:

• .mobi
• Forum Nokia developer lobby
• Mobile Radicals
• Bill Perry's blog

When it comes to RIAs, I trust the following resources:

• Ben Forta's blog
• Coding the architecture
• Mike Chambers' blog
• Matt Chotin's blog
• Quietly Scheming
• Return Undefined
• Scale Nine
• Servlets.com

Closer to home, I rely on the following three main Adobe online communities in Italy:

• ActionScript.it
• mobileActionScript.it
• Flex Developers

What is your favorite or most useful electronic gadget that you own? How about one that you want, but don't own?

Recently I purchased a MacBook AIR—it's become my favorite gadget. It makes my life easier because when traveling I can take my documents and my work in progress with me without having to lug around a heavy laptop. The next one will be a Linux mobile device for sure, the Archos 7, in order to test and inspire my mind for new development technology. The Archos is a jewel to play with the Opera web browser, Adobe Flash 9, and more on an open source operating system; it's impossible not to be inspired by it!

What's the one thing you'd love to see in web technologies in the future?

There are so many technologies related to the web that it's impossible to say anything without being too general. I really appreciate that Adobe has given a lot of attention to open source and the integration between products, so I definitely want to see that things continue as well. And I'm sure I speak for all developers when wishing for better documentation, and better integration between technologies.

What was the genesis/origin/history for your existing work?

I fell in love with Flash when it was first released, so the history of my work is closely related to the evolution of Flash Player and the Flash platform. My career started as a consultant for some companies located in Italy and quickly led me to open my own company GNstudio, where I get to work with some of the most engaging developers and friends you'll ever find.

I am used to work only on projects that I like. I think it's the only way to give your best. At GNstudio we are used to deal with quite complex projects and we are devoted to their successes, and to provide our clients not only with a service but also to share our experience. We always provide the source code of the project we're involved in, because we really believe that in order to fit the needs of a client we have to share everything we've done. I also always try to pay attention to the open source world, and share my work so that others can benefit from it like I benefited from theirs. That's why I released Intelligere Synchronous Collaboration System (SCS) and Intelligere Flash Chat System (FCS) on Sourceforge.

If you could build something you considered revolutionary, what would it be?

An application that connects developers and communities from around the world in order to share knowledge and expertise, and to create a RIA world that can connect everybody. What I have in mind is not a simple social networking application but an application that empowers developers to share and interact in real time code, experiences, resources, and more using an integrated environment that deals with all the technologies, thus circumventing the separation between fields of expertise.

What's next for you? For technology?

I don't have a precise plan for the future because I believe that precise plans don't exist; what I really want is to become a better developer and be able to contribute to iPhone and Java development. In the interim, I have started a great relationship with Rbidr and I'll spend the next several months building custom Flex components for advanced Flex applications dealing with life- and time-tracking for a desktop-like application.I'm pretty sure that the trend of technology will be to provide applications that can be used easily on any device connected to the Internet. Technology evolves so fast that I can't predict much on that front, but I have a dream that one day all software will be open source.