Sven Claar: Developer spotlight

What (Adobe and non-Adobe) technologies are you currently using?

Currently, I am solely working with Adobe Flex and Adobe AIR in connection with LiveCycle ES. I am specifically focusing on API integration and process communication with Adobe AIR.

Apart from that, I am doing presentations and workshops at the important events, and client-side trainings. There is a lot going on!

What is your most recent project you've built and what (Adobe and non-Adobe) technologies have you used?

My last project has been a pure Adobe AIR project. LiveCycle solution components had to be integrated in an Adobe AIR application; various native data formats were to be converted to PDF documents, and different policies had to be applied to PDF documents. On top of that, the application allowed for differents settings, collection of documents, connections to local databases, and much more―and all this in online and offline scenarios!

This might sound challenging but actually it wasn't! Even though I am working with the technologies for a long time now, I am amazed over and over again how well enterprise-level requirements can be fulfilled with Adobe technologies. Nowadays, I work only with Adobe technologies and tools, from start to finish.

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

That it works!

Honestly, this is not a trivial statement when you think about the sheer amount of technologies, methods, programming models, requirements, etc. When I meet with clients, it is as much reassuring to know as it is fascinating that products and technologies aren't in your way but actually help you reach your goals. I personally like to compare this with LEGO bricks: There aren't that many different forms but in combination you can create an endless variety of results.

Where do you get your information about technology?

These days, it is mostly by reading blogs and documentaion and watching webinars and presentations. Contacts and personal exchange about projects shouldn't be underestimated though―Adobe MAX and the Flashforum Konferenz in Germany are important, key events for me.

What are some of your favorite community resources, websites or blogs?

That is a tough question. I skim through a lot of blogs and feeds to get my daily dose of information. I personally like to stress the importance of Adobe Developer Connection―it has the largest collection of information, help, and articles at one place. Most of my clients I refer to there as well when they need to find introduction materials, resources, or white papers for certain technologies. I also point people to Adobe TV where there are many courses and presentations you can watch on Adobe Media Player.

How are you Invloved with the community?

I love to give long talks in front of a lot of people. In Europe, quite a few people might know me from conferences, workshops, and seminars. That is mostly how I share my knowledge and the best way for me to get in contact with others to exchange ideas and get feedback. Additionally, I am a user group manager for Flex Squad Central Europe and in Hamburg, Germany, I try to support the Adobe Flex User Group Hamburg as much as I can.

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

Gadgets! How could you live without them? They are fun while at the same time give you a clue what you can expect to see in the future. I guess my iPhone is the most important thing I carry around. Since I am traveling a lot, it is my communication central.

If someone would want to fulfil me a wish for Christmas, make me an official tester at Gizmodo.

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

Adobe AIR on all devices and systems―especially the iPhone!

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

Originally, I was as a musician and producer. In the early '90s though, someone told me how to not only put music but also data on CDs. From then on, time was passing fast: It started with creating multimedia CD-ROMs with Adobe Director, then websites with Adobe Flash, and then in 2003 Adobe Flex. Until then, I had been using all Adobe applications. I wasn't really specializing in one tool.

When I got an invitation for the alpha/beta program for Flex though (still at Macromedia at that time), I decided to concentrate on this topic/technology.

Well, what can I say―I still know how to use the other apps but I am almost exclusively working with Flex and Adobe AIR. That's how I earn my money and what I enjoy most.

What's next for you? For technology?

I am looking forward to Adobe MAX 2008 Europe in Milan, as I am going to be a speaker there.

Technologywise, I will explore the new PDF Portfolio capabilities in Adobe Acrobat 9 a little more in the next months and see how I can enrich these with Flex features.

Moreover, there are tons of ideas and concepts I haven't had the time to fully develop yet as I have way too little time at my hands but I guess I will also think about documentation and features.